who would have thunk that the tranquil hiking paths in this Alpine nation would become a magnet for hikers who want to walk around the paths au naturel - clad only in hiking shoes and backpacks?

But, according to a story in today's NYTimes that is exactly the case, at least in the area surrounding the resort of Appenzell, in eastern Switzerland.

Thanks to blogs, twitter, etc. this area has seen an avalanche of nude walkers and hikers in recent years and this has raised local hackles a bit.

Seems Swiss laws currently sanction public nudity - "that banning public nudity would be unconstitutional" says the article"

"'The Bare Facts: On the Criminal Prosecution of Nude Hiking' points out that in 1991 Switzerland struck a law from it books that had banned nudity in public."

Nevertheless Appenzell has proposed local laws to curb the activity and a gathering of locals of voting age once a year in the town square on Apr 26 will decide that law's fate - and it looks about 50-50, says the article as surprisingly many locals are not upset about the nudists tracking in and around town. This tolerant tone may surprise some as Appenzell is a rock-rib conservative area - only in 1990 granting women the right to vote (says the article)

So next time in Switzerland if the mood strikes you can, for the moment at least, hike thru nature au naturel.

Grapples?

Oh, my!

i just read this article too.
what is amazing is that the nudity continues in the winter.
the only apparent concession to the temperatures is adding a hat and gloves.
i guess the freedom outranks the freezing.

If it were a Francophone part of Switzerland, one could only say - as regards winter hiking - "Chapeau!"

Raised?

Hiking and naked don't go together for me. Too much pointy, bite-y, burning nature.

Maybe they should have designated "clothing-optional trails", in the same manner as beaches.

lol!

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...iking-duds.cfm

ekscrunchy - did not see your post in the stack or would not have repeated. Thanks

I'd love to meet a naked male hiker and comment,

"You can't catch a fish with that tiny worm."

>Switzerland Grapples with Nude Hikers... <

Sounds like fun.

"... the nudity continues in the winter."

Shrinkage!

I'll be sure to give a full and complete report after this summer's trip!

swisshiker, wow! prepare a response in case u meet schuler out there!!

The citizens of Appenzell have made it official: Nude hiking is illegal and naked hikers will be fined SFr. 200.--.

http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/news_di...35285000&ty=nd

Well guess i have to cancel plans for Appenzell - thanks for the update.

Appenzeel is hardly what I would call a "resort"...somewhat quaint little village perhaps..but remember as one of my Swiss friends told me...the Swiss like rules because they live (even more) figuring out ways to get around them.