Camping the Jakobsweg Route

[Joemandou]

Hi!

I'm planning on spending 3 months starting at Lake Constance and finishing at Santiago and I'm wondering in particular about the Swiss part of the route.

I'm planning on bringing a tent and sleeping bag and sleeping in the wilderness for much of the camino, but I can't find much information about doing so during the Swiss part of the walk. Is it possible?

Thanks in advance!

 

[SYates]

Hi,
I don't know how familiar you are with the Swiss mentality but wild/stealth camping is a bit of a problem there! However, there a lot of reasonable priced (for Switzerland!) camp sites along the route. Otherwise also important, always ask the landowner for permission, they do have heavy handed trespassing laws in that country. Buen Camino, SY

PS There is also a German language sub-forum here: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/social-forums/jakobsweg-camino-talk-in-german.12/

 

[Felipe]

You may find interesting this webpage, http://www.vwv.cz/jakub/svycarsko_en.php , especially the section about sleeping in barns.

 

[SYates]

Thanks also from me! A Czech Camino website I didn't know about! SY

 

[Joemandou]

Thank you both for the replies! From what I've read online wild camping isn't strictly allowed, but if you're courteous and don't have a fire/leave rubbish behind etc than the worst that happens is you get moved along? Do you know how true this is?

 

[Kitsambler]

From what I've read online wild camping isn't strictly allowed, but if you're courteous and don't have a fire/leave rubbish behind etc than the worst that happens is you get moved along? Do you know how true this is?

The section Switzerland that the Jakobsweg traverses is not particularly wild, at least that first week from Konstanz to Einsiedeln. There are patches of forested woodland interspersed among the farms and pastures, but it's more "park" than "wild". The forests are not as large as in Germany or France, for example.

I think it's best to bear in mind that the Swiss have a different, highly iconoclastic, mindset. Orderliness is a national priority. There are signs saying to not litter so that the cows won't eat the trash and spoil their milk. Every valley has its own spin on things, including language. So an answer that is good for place1 will not necessarily work for place2. I would suggest treading softly, and be flexible as the apparent rules may change.

The Swiss have a nice network of hikers' dorms - those may be a good fallback plan for you.

 

[nellpilgrim]

Having just finished the Swiss leg of my journey I'd definitely second what Kitsambler has said the Swiss are formal and can be a little reserved. But, if you're respectful and aware and make an effort, they can also be very kind in a practical hands on manner. I was lucky enough to accidentally become the parcel in an informal game of 'pass the pilgrim' between Luzern, Bern and on to Friebourg (I didn't' take the Interlaken route)-all just as a result of asking directions from a lady going into a churchyard! But I wouldn't count on that degree of serendipity in general! The Via Jacobi is well supported in terms of signage and infrastructure so with a little planning you can stay within budget.

 

[Diggeratpctcd]

I'm hoping to hike this Geneva route in October to early November.
I can't find a english guide? Perhaps there is not one.
How difficult will it be to find lodging if I don't speak French?

 

[Kitsambler]

I'm hoping to hike this Geneva route in October to early November.
I can't find a english guide? Perhaps there is not one.
How difficult will it be to find lodging if I don't speak French?

I know about a French-language guide and also the German-language guide, to cover the route from Geneva to Le Puy, if that's what you're referring to.