From the Jura plateaus to the secret valleys of Grisons, Switzerland offers an exceptional playground for hiking enthusiasts. With Swiss Great Treks, journalist and author Pierre Pauquay invites you on a walking journey through seven Alpine crossings and 25 carefully selected stages. More than just a practical guide, this book published by Helvetiq celebrate an authentic Swiss mountain, far from the most famous postcards.
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Wild and secretive Switzerland
What strikes you immediately about this beautiful illustrated guide is the author's personal choice. Here, there's no pursuit of the most famous summits or compilation of the most frequented routes. Pierre Pauquay has preferred to highlight less popular traverses, which delve into unspoiled valleys and landscapes where solitude remains possible. From the Jura to Graubünden, passing through Ticino and Valais, the seven selected treks reveal an often-unseen mountainous Switzerland.
The work thus alternates between Mediterranean atmospheres of Ticino, glacial passages, Jura high plateaux and perched refuges. This geographical diversity is undoubtedly one of its main qualities: it reminds us that Switzerland is not just images of the Matterhorn or Eiger, but a mosaic of territories with highly distinct identities.
An inspiring as well as practical guide
As is often the case with Helvetiq, the iconography plays an important role. The author's photographs make you want to put on your hiking boots straight away. But the book doesn't just make you dream. Each route is presented with concrete information on the difficulty level, stages, and logistics, allowing both experienced hikers and occasional ramblers to prepare their adventure. Each stage is sprinkled with practical advice: not to be missed, pro tips, where to eat, sleep, or a shortcut when one is possible.
Here we find the journalistic touch of Pierre Pauquay, who is no stranger to tales of trekking and outdoor pursuits. His writing prioritises on-the-ground experience and immersion in landscapes over the accumulation of technical data, although elevation gain, difficulty, or distance are clearly indicated. This approach makes for pleasant reading, even from your sofa, as you dream of future Alpine escapades.
An ode to Alpine slowness
At a time when some iconic trails are suffering from their success, Grands Treks Suisses appears as a welcome invitation to slow down and explore less-frequented places. The author celebrates the evening light on the mountains just as much as the encounters in mountain huts or the long days of walking punctuated by the rhythm of the wind and the changing landscape.
The book will particularly appeal to travellers who like to plan their hikes by immersing themselves in the spirit of the place before setting off. More than just a catalogue of routes, it conveys a certain vision of trekking: that of a gradual immersion in landscapes where the mountains remain a place for contemplation as much as for physical exertion.
With Grands Treks Suisses, Pierre Pauquay has penned a book that makes you want to cross Switzerland with a rucksack on your back. Thanks to a selection of original routes, careful
Text : Brigitte Postel
