We are heading to the swiss alps and only taking a carry on bag. can collapsible hiking poles be in carry on luggage?

The TSA considers them "ski poles" which are on their prohibited items list. Put them in your checked luggage.

That's good to know, RA. I would not have guessed it.

Yet Poles are in European community ?
Are non hikers allowed ?

I've carried folded trekking poles in carry-on. I was not questioned/delayed.

That's the "rub" with TSA - often what a particular screener lets through on any given day or at any airport is a bit arbitrary. We've had many items given a pass in one airport and be denied on the return/next flight.

The difficulty is if the TSA denies clearance for a particular item in your carry-on telling them that it was OK at XYZ Airport or the contributors on a travel forum said it was OK won't amount to a hill of beans. We are all at the mercy of the TSA.

In this case OP can take the chance and put the hiking poles in her carry-on but if she does she shouldn't be surprised if they get confiscated.

At CRL it say 'any sharp object forbidden'.
It leaves room for security to decide.