Cyrill Vagac, Jonas Jäggy, Dani Ammann, Ruedi Thomi
Outdoor adventures don’t need to stop when the temperature rises: here are seven summer activities guaranteed to help you keep your cool.
When the mercury starts rising, you can sometimes struggle to think of things to do outdoors: after a while, just going swimming all the time starts to get boring! Getting to higher altitudes can help you cool off, for instance, as the temperature drops around 8 degrees for every 1,000 metres you ascend. The small hours can also be the perfect time for an outdoor adventure. Here are more tips and products to beat the heat – so, grab your water bottle and let’s go!
Wild hike
Love hiking and looking for adventure? If that sounds like you, a wild hike is just what you need. A well-shaded route along a river is a sure-fire way to stay cool – but if that’s not enough, the natural pools are the perfect place for a dip. Make sure to respect nature and protect yourself against ticks. A riverside hike is also perfect for families with children.
Build a raft
True, building your raft is a sure-fire way to work up a sweat – but that makes the reward of paddling along the water even more worth it. This tip is also perfect for children, as setting off on a treasure-hunt in their very own raft is a bona fide adventure.
North-facing routes
North-facing routes usually catch the sun later in the morning and end up in the shade earlier in the evening. It’s also useful to note that lots of mountain lakes – remnants of glaciers and snow fields – are located on north faces.
Visit a waterfall
What could be nicer than a hike to a cooling waterfall? Stunningly pretty waterfalls are located in the upper Maggiatal valley near Foroglio, in the Lauterbrunnental valley or near Walensee lake (Seerenbachfälle falls).
Running water
No matter whether you’re on a kayak, packkraft or swimming, running water tends to be cooler than lakes. So, don’t forget your river bag on your next trip to the river!
Set off early
The coolest part of the day isn’t in the depths of night, but rather early in the morning, just before sunrise. In other words, the earlier you start, the more pleasant your trip will be. Don’t underestimate that, for Alpine tours, in particular, the risk of rockfalls increases quickly as the day goes on. Take care on east-facing slopes, which get the sun very early in the day. Plus, the heat can cause thunderstorms in the mountains. When planning, make sure that you can get down earlier if you need or that there is shelter nearby.
A hike through the jungle
Is there really a jungle in Switzerland? Yes! Located between the Muotathal valley and the Pragelpass pass, the Bödmerenwald forest is one of the last untouched woodlands in the Alps. In addition to an exciting trail with information about flora and fauna, this circular route through the dense forest offers plenty of shade – perfect for hot days. And the refreshing Klöntalersee lake is waiting on the other side of the Pragelpass pass.
Equipment to beat the heat
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