【China Shoe Network- Mountaineering News】In recent years, a group of unique hikers has emerged in the Swiss Alps. They hike completely naked, wearing only hiking shoes and sunglasses.
Local residents have mixed reactions—some see it as a joke, while others consider it "indecent." The local government is also considering whether to make nude hiking illegal and impose fines on participants.
"This Is Freedom"
Conrad Hebenstreit, a 54-year-old nude hiking enthusiast and architect, told The New York Times that he has been hiking naked for about 30 years. His naked hikes have taken him not only through Switzerland but also the mountains of France, Germany, Italy, and the Appalachian Mountains in the United States.
Although he hikes naked, Hebenstreit likes to wear a hat and gloves and usually has spicy sausage for lunch at noon. He can hike naked for several hours even when the temperature drops below freezing.
Hebenstreit said that during his hikes, few regular hikers view him as an "oddity." "You greet them, and they greet you back. Of course, in winter, many will ask, 'Aren't you cold?'"
Hebenstreit has a hiking companion who also hikes naked—a teacher. When asked why they choose to hike naked, he replied: "There's nothing to discuss. It's freedom—freedom of the mind and freedom of the body."
Town Disturbed
However, the appearance of a large number of nude hikers has troubled the town of Appenzell in the Swiss Alps. Officials in Appenzell believe that the lives of local residents have been severely disrupted.
Like most remote mountainous areas, Appenzell is a rather conservative place. The town only granted women the right to vote in 1990, decades later than other parts of Switzerland. Some residents worry that the influx of nude hikers could turn the area into a "paradise" for nudists.
Speaking about nude hiking, local government spokesperson Markus Dörig showed visible annoyance: "This isn't Canada, where you (nude hikers) can wander through vast forests for hours. Here, you'll encounter a regular hiker every minute. It's really annoying."
"We live in the countryside, and people here want to enjoy peace and quiet," Dörig said. "This sort of thing does cause considerable disturbance."
Reports suggest that Appenzell previously had fines for public nudity, but required the complainant to sign their name on the report form. Dörig said that possibly due to residents' shyness, hardly anyone filed complaints. As a result, some naturist groups seized the opportunity to encourage people to come and hike naked here.
Mixed Reactions
Local residents hold varying opinions on nude hiking.
Hans Eggimann, a 57-year-old local cheese shop owner, believes authorities should legislate to ban nude hiking. "Sometimes I walk around naked at home, but if I go outside, I put my pants on."
Ursula Höller, who has been in the mountaineering clothing business for five years, laughed when asked if nude hiking posed a threat to her business. Höller told reporters that she and her husband are also hiking enthusiasts, but she opposes nude hiking. "Even if you want to hike without clothes, you should at least wear shorts or a bikini."
Edith Skorokhod, a 48-year-old who shares the same view, said the behavior of nude hiking enthusiasts is hard for her to understand, though her husband says he's "indifferent." "I can understand skinny-dipping," Skorokhod said, "but I can't accept nude hiking."
Some people are more "tolerant" of nude hiking. Alexandra Marcelly, owner of a local textile shop, said: "As far as I know, many Appenzell residents don’t think nude hikers have caused much disturbance to their lives." She believes the ratio of opinions for and against the issue is roughly "fifty-fifty."
Caroline Habazin, a 46-year-old resident, said discussions about nude hiking often lead to bursts of laughter among locals. "I think these (nude hikers) are just a small group of people."
Is It Illegal?
In Switzerland, nude hiking has not only become a popular topic of conversation among the public but also sparked legal debate.
Last September, the town of Appenzell detained a young nude hiker named Peter. He was hiking wearing only boots and carrying a backpack. However, police later released him because Switzerland currently has no laws prohibiting nude hiking.
Some legal scholars in Switzerland argue that banning nudity in public spaces violates the constitution. Nevertheless, the Swiss government has been considering the legal status of nude hiking. The New York Times reports that the government has drafted a bill which, if implemented, would classify nude hiking as illegal for "violating customs and moral standards."
However, Swiss legal expert Daniel Kettiger published a six-page paper in February this year stating that Switzerland abolished its ban on public nudity as early as 1991.
Kettiger said in a phone interview: "Non-sexual public nudity is no longer considered illegal. There was a nudism trend back then."
When asked if he himself was a hiking enthusiast, Kötig said, “Yes, but not naked.” He also added that naked hiking carries the risk of sunburn and possible disease infection.
The head of the judicial department in the town of Appenzell, Melchior Loser, stated that he plans to legislate to force naked hikers “to put on clothes,” saying, “I think we will make rules based on the idea of reform.” He mentioned that if the law is enforced, naked hikers could face a fine of $170.
Loser hopes the new regulation can officially take effect in spring, as that’s when naked hiking enthusiasts return to the Alps. However, the bill must be approved by a residents' assembly. Each year, eligible voters from the entire town gather in the local square for the assembly, and this year’s election is scheduled for April 26.
Related link: UK’s “Bare Bike Ride” advocates eco-friendly travel
In the UK, a group of environmental activists once stripped naked, wore masks, and rode bicycles through city streets to encourage people to use cars less and adopt more environmentally friendly modes of transport.
The Associated Press quoted Duncan, a 45-year-old “bare rider,” as saying that riding a bike naked doesn’t harm anyone, but car exhaust and traffic accidents claim thousands of lives in the UK alone each year and contribute to global warming. Duncan said, “It’s time for more drivers to shed their heavy armored plating and hit the road with less.”
In Brighton and Hove in southern England, over 200 volunteers took part in the “feat” of cycling naked. Similar naked bike rides have also taken place in Manchester and York in central and northern England. (China Shoes Network - The most authoritative and professional footwear industry information center)