In Switzerland, nationwide topographic maps at scales of 1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000, 1:200,000, and 1:300,000 by the Swiss Federal Office of Topography (swisstopo).
Thanks to government subsidies, the maps can be purchased for just 14.- or legally downloaded and printed from the Internet for free.
General
Swiss national maps are generally updated and published every six years. However, there are exceptions, particularly in mountainous areas. For example, the maps of southern Valais were last updated in 2003.
The maps can be ordered online, downloadedfrom the Internet,or obtained from Youth+Sport (for camps).
Maps from the Internet
All maps are available for free on the swisstopo online portal. By clicking the “Print” button in the upper-left corner of the map, you can export the maps as PDF files at any scale.
Applications in Youth Group Activities
In youthgroup activities, maps are mainly used for planning hikes. Therefore, the highly detailed 1:25,000 maps are primarily used. 1:50,000 maps are used less frequently.
Map 1:25,000
Details
- 4 cm on the map correspond to 1 km in reality
- 247 map sheets covering all of Switzerland
- Equidistance: 10 m (Mittelland and Jura) / 20 m (Alps)
Contents
- The most accurate and informative topographic map of Switzerland for hikers, mountaineers, planners, independent travelers, and explorers.
- Complete, detailed network of railways, roads, and trails.
- Detailed depiction of settlements, water bodies, vegetation, and terrain.
- The most comprehensive labeling of all features.
1:25,000
1:50,000
Details
- 2 cm on the map correspond to 1 km in reality
- 78 map sheets covering all of Switzerland
- Equidistance: 20 m
Contents
- The accurate and informative topographic map of Switzerland for hikers, mountaineers, cyclists, planners, travelers, and explorers.
- Complete rail network, all highways and expressways, and most roads and trails.
- Motorway service areas, motorways, and major roads are labeled.
- Clear depiction of settlements, water bodies, and terrain.
- Comprehensive labeling of existing features.
1:50,000
1:100,000
Details
- 1 cm on the map corresponds to 1 km in reality
- 23 map sheets covering all of Switzerland
- Equidistance: 50 m
Contents
- The detailed topographic map of Switzerland for cyclists, motorcyclists, and drivers, as well as travelers and explorers.
- Complete railway network, all highways and expressways, all major roads and trails.
- Motorway rest stops, motorways, and major roads are labeled.
- Clear depiction of settlements and terrain.
- Names of many existing features.
1:100,000
1:200,000
Details
- 5 mm on the map corresponds to 1 km in reality
- 4 map sheets covering all of Switzerland
- Equidistance: 100 m
Contents
- The most accurate and easy-to-read general map of Switzerland for motorcyclists, drivers, rail travelers, and explorers.
- Complete railway network, all highways, expressways, through roads, and connecting roads.
- Clear depiction of settlements and terrain.
- Names of major landmarks.
1:200,000
1:300,000
Details
- 3.3 mm on the map corresponds to 1 km in reality
- 1 map sheet covering all of Switzerland
- Equidistance: 100 m
Contents
- The most accurate general map of Switzerland for motorcyclists, drivers, rail travelers, and explorers.
- Reduced version of the 1:200,000-scale map with the same content.
- Complete railway network, all highways, expressways, through roads, and connecting roads.
- Clear depiction of settlements and terrain.
- Names of major landmarks.
- All of Switzerland and neighboring countries on a single sheet.
1:300,000
Swiss Map
The Federal Office of Topography, swisstopo, has been offering the Swiss Map software for some time now. This software is designed for planning hikes.
In versions prior to June 2011, all map data was stored locally on the computer. Since then, the product has been called Swiss Map Online and retrieves map data directly from the Internet. The advantage is that the map data is always up to date. The software tool costs 49 CHF for the first year and 29 CHF for each additional year.
The software provides access to map data at all scales and high-resolution satellite images.
Most hiking trails are already stored in the software and can be linked together with a few simple clicks. Alternatively, you can also draw your own route. Once you’ve put together your hiking route, you can view the horizontal distance, the ascent, the descent, a calculated walking time (though the walking speed remains unclear), and a detailed route profile.
Saved hiking routes can be exported as an .xol file (overlay file) and reopened at any time.
References
- Images and graphics: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo (permission has been granted)
- PDF files: Federal Office of Topography swisstopo (permission has been granted)
