Fear of heights underestimated as a risk factor when hiking in the mountains

Fear of heights or vertigo impairs safe progress and increases the risk of falling, writes the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU). A head for heights is therefore just as important a prerequisite for mountain hikes as fitness and sure-footedness.

A survey of mountain hikers in summer 2024 revealed a different picture, as the BFU writes. Here, good shoes were named by 70 percent, fitness by 56 percent and sure-footedness by 32 percent as the decisive prerequisites. Only 18 percent mentioned a head for heights. Almost a third of those surveyed stated that they themselves suffered from a fear of heights or vertigo.

According to the BFU, the survey also shows that the most experienced hikers take factors such as the weather, distance and altitude into account when planning their hike, but less so the danger of the route.

The BFU warns that the hiking route should suit your own abilities. In case of doubt: "Turning back is not a failure, but good alpine behavior."

According to the BFU, on average around 40,000 people require medical treatment after a hiking accident every year. 45 people die as a result.

The survey was conducted at over 20 locations with 1387 randomly selected mountain hikers.