Grüezi!

General Questions

Who are your services for?

My services are for anyone planning a hiking-focused trip to Switzerland! However, they are especially suited for hikers who want to get off the beaten track and explore trails and regions beyond the typical tourist hotspots.

When is the best time to book your services?

Consultations can be booked at any stage - whether you’re just starting to plan or need last-minute guidance before your trip. These are ideal for travelers who want targeted advice and planning tools without a full itinerary.

Custom Itineraries often require more lead time:

• If you're looking for a multi-day hut-to-hut itinerary, I recommend reaching out 4–6 months in advance. Huts fill up quickly (especially in July and August), and I need enough time to design a thoughtful, well-paced route. In general, I cannot take on hut-to-hut itinerary requests with less than 3 months’ notice.

• If you want an itinerary with day hikes only, there’s no specific time limit - I can usually accommodate those requests with more flexibility.

What locations do you specialize in?

I don’t focus on just one region - I can help you plan hikes anywhere in Switzerland. I’ve personally hiked extensively across the country and especially love the lesser-known regions like Valais, Graubünden, Ticino, Uri, and Glarus. Trust me, there is much more to the Alps than the Jungfrau region!

When do you recommend a hut-to-hut hike?

The most reliable months for hut-to-hut hiking are July, August, and early to mid-September. Outside of this period, it becomes more difficult to plan multi-day hut treks due to snow conditions and hut opening/closing schedules.

• June is still considered spring in the mountains, and many high-altitude trails remain covered in snow. Even though most huts officially open by mid to late June, access to them may still be difficult or unsafe due to lingering snowfields.

• By late September and October, temperatures drop, and many huts begin closing for the season, making multi-day hut-to-hut routes less feasible.

For these reasons, I only recommend hut-to-hut hikes from July to mid-September to ensure safer and more enjoyable hiking conditions. 

Are you currently based in Switzerland?

Yep! I’ve lived in Zürich for seven years, and have extensive firsthand experience hiking and exploring trails across the country. Living here also means I am up-to-date on trail conditions, seasonal changes, hut openings, and local logistics.

Do you guide hikes or lead tours?

No, I specialize in trip planning and consulting, but I do not personally guide hikes or lead group tours at this time.

QAs and Consultations

What is the QA session for?

The QA call is an informal, 30-minute conversation where you can ask any questions about hiking in Switzerland. I can share personal insights, general advice, and off-the-cuff suggestions to help with your trip planning. While this isn’t a tailored call, it’s a great opportunity to get quick, reliable information.

What is included in a hiking consultation?

Each consultation is a 60-minute video call tailored specifically to you. Before we meet, you’ll complete a short survey. This allows me to do focused research and prepare personalized recommendations based on your hiking experience and interests. I take an educational approach - I want you to walk away not just with ideas, but with a clearer understanding of how to plan and make informed decisions on your own.

During the call, we’ll cover things like:

• Recommended hiking regions and routes suited to your preferences

• How to structure your itinerary around logistics, hut availability, and weather

• An overview of key websites, maps, and apps you’ll need, and how to use them effectively

• Practical tips on trail navigation, Swiss hiking culture, and more

After the call, you’ll receive:

• A written recap of our discussion and the recommendations we covered

• A resource guide with essential info on hiking in Switzerland, including planning tools, apps, and useful links

A consultation is perfect for travelers who want a well-informed starting point, value expert insight, and enjoy planning with a bit of support along the way.

Can you help me plan non-hiking activities?

My expertise is in hiking and hike planning, so my recommendations will always come from a 'best places for hiking & outdoors' perspective. While I can talk generally about other activities (like via ferratas, paragliding, city visits), my main value is helping you plan a hiking-focused trip.

What if I have follow-up questions after our consultation?

I offer limited follow-up support via email for quick questions. If you need more detailed guidance, you can book an additional consultation.

Custom Hiking Itineraries

What is included in a Custom Hiking Itinerary?

I design a personalized hiking plan tailored to your preferences, experience level, and overall trip itinerary. It may include:

• Curated Hiking Routes: Carefully selected routes suited to your fitness level and time availability, with detailed trail information, estimated hiking times, elevation changes, and key points of interest. For hut-to-hut hikes, I provide insights on the best routes and reservation requirements.

• Logistics & Hiking Resources: Advice on public transportation, trail access, hut etiquette, and essential apps

• Hut Reservations (Optional): While not included in the standard package, I can handle mountain hut bookings for an additional fee.

Is the Custom Hiking Itinerary only for hut-to-huts hikes?

Most of my clients use the Custom Hiking Itinerary service to plan hut-to-hut hikes, but I can also create a series of day hikes if that’s what you prefer. 

Can I request a hut-to-hut hiking itinerary in May or June?

I primarily plan hut-to-hut itineraries from July onward. While some huts may open in mid-June, high-altitude trails that connect the huts often remain covered in snow, making conditions unpredictable and sometimes unsafe.

If you're visiting outside the summer hiking season, I’ll likely recommend lower-elevation day hikes, or single hut overnights (without multi-day trekking), as a safer and more enjoyable alternative.

Do you book hotels or transportation for me?

I can provide suggestions on where to stay and how to get around, but I do not book hotels or transit tickets.

Payments & Policies

What are your pricing and payment options?

Pricing varies depending on the service. After reviewing your inquiry, I will provide a quote. All payments are securely processed via PayPal.

What is your cancellation or refund policy?

For QA and consultations:

• You can reschedule your consultation with at least 24 hours’ notice

• Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the appointment are eligible for a full refund

• No refunds are provided for no-shows or last-minute cancellations (less than 24 hours before the session)

For custom itineraries:

A 50% deposit is required before itinerary planning begins, with the remaining 50% due upon delivery of the final itinerary.

• The deposit is non-refundable once work on the itinerary has started.

• Refunds are not available after the final itinerary has been delivered.