Take the test: Which mountain sport suits you? My 20 minutes

As is well known, the journey is the goal. However, there are very different ways of getting up and down a mountain. These are the most important:

Hiking: You can enjoy nature away from the roads on well-developed hiking trails, which are marked yellow in Switzerland. Even with light shoes and compact luggage you are well equipped here, you do not achieve top sporting performances. Hiking trips in remote nature over several days are summarized under the term trekking.

Mountain hiking: This means hiking in mountains or mountainous terrain, but without using your hands. In Switzerland, such hiking trails are marked with the colors white-red-white, the trails meander through a varied mountain environment with easy to medium gradients to their destination. Light hiking boots, multifunctional clothing and a medium-sized daypack are sufficient.

Trail running: Trail means track or path in German. In trail running, the mostly performance-oriented runners move away from the streets in varyingly demanding terrain and run across country. This is about coordination, reaction and endurance and the right, stable footwear is particularly important.

Fast Hiking: This is where mountain hiking and trail running meet. You cover longer distances in more technical terrain and move quickly through wilder natural areas. The equipment is all about lightness and small packing volume, so that you are fast on the go.

Alpine hiking: Here you hike in alpine terrain and have to climb a bit every now and then, but without being secured. In Switzerland you can recognize such paths by the white-blue-white markings. If you want to go alpine hiking, you should have a head for heights, be sure-footed and be in good physical condition and have high-quality hiking boots.

Alpine tours: If you climb a summit at over 3000 or 4000 meters, you embark on an alpine tour. Preparation and know-how are everything here! Newbies shouldn't leave without a mountain guide. There are also courses to teach you how to use crampons, ice axes and ropes. For example at the Swiss Alpine Club or the Mammut Alpine School.

Now that you know the differences between mountain sports, you can figure out which one suits you best. Take the test here:

It's twice as much fun with the right equipment

What is your favorite mountain sport? Do you like to go hiking? Are you dying to try trail running? Or have you already completed full tours?

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