During August we have a good chunk of Europe to go walking in, we like to head for the mountains in search of some cooler weather, the Saas Valley is a favourite at the moment. Thing is we really want some where more 'wild' where we will be less likey to bump into other people We would like to let our two dogs have a good roam about with out having them on their leads all the time. Unlike lots of people we run into we do respect 'the rules' & if they should be on a lead we will do so. We fully appreciate that many people do not like animals & they should not have to put up with other peoples bothering them but at the same time it would be so nice to let have some freedom.
Any 'helpful ' suggestions welcomed. Mainly thinking of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France.
Since noone has answered I will give it a try, even though I suggest a place outside the area you had mentioned.
Suzi I have not visited the valley Saas, and I have only been several times to Germany and walked with my dog. My impression is that most of the middle Europe is crowded, at least the nice places.
But if you really like cool weather and places to go without bumping into anyone then Norway should be on your "to-do-list" some year. But perhaps it is too desolate here for you. I call it crowded when I in a day see more than 10 people and actually meet 5 of them on the track. Desolate is for me when it is unlikely to meet or see more than two persons in a week.
Regarding loose dogs in Norway. In the hunting season dogs are of course loose. But even these dogs must obey to be called back to the owner. Dogs are permitted to be free of the line from 21/8 until 1/4 if there are no domestic cattle (cows, sheeps, goats) free still. And all dogs must obey the owner and not chase wild animals or scare people or show aggression to people and other dogs. If not then the line is compulsory!
Norway has over 400 municipalities, and about 10% of them has other rules. These are mainly to preserve wildlife in the winter, but you must check the place you plan to visit what rules apply there. What kind of dogs do you have?
There is no haste to answer my question. I'll be away for two weeks now. Otto
It is true that middle europe is very busy and Otto is right in that Scandinavia is a brilliant place if you want lots of freedom and few people! I don't know what the rules are these days for bringing dogs into Scandinavia, but Sweden used to have quite strickt laws because of rabbies. Presumably coming from UK all that should be in order.
In Switzerland a good place to go is the eastern part in the canton of Graubunden (Grisons) , particularly Engadin (St. moritz area) there are a lot of high mountains here and in the past I have found it relatively easy to get away from the crowds. If you leave from Maloja or Sils in Engadin you have a huge choice of places. Though, weekends are always busy in the mountains in Switzerland and August is of course tourist season peak. Hope this is of some help. As I said in a previous post, in Switzerland if you want to get away from the crowds look up the Alpinweg (blue-white marking) and not the wander and bergweg (orange and red and yellow and red) they have a lot fewer people. Generally there is no problem with dogs in the mountains as long as they don't bother the cows and sheep. There are some cantons where you have to have your dog on the lead (e.g. Canton Schwyz... they are a bit funny there) but that is the only one I know off. I certainly never have my dog on the lead in the mountains and I have never had a problem!
Saas area is gorgeous,been many times and know the valley really well.Probably not the greatest dog walking area,the Gspon hohenweg side has a lot of sheep and the Balfrin side has good populations of Ibex and Chamois so running dogs probably not advisable.The Balfrin hohenweg and some of the routes above above ssas fee have some fairly sxposed passages on and lots of Marmots so running dogs not advisable.
As you head down valley the adventure trail above saas Almagell is great fun with its ladders and exposed swinging bridges but once again hard for dogs and the bottom of the valley towards the monte moro pass has a large population of cattle near the dam and ibex as you head higher.
We would like to let our two dogs have a good roam about with out having them on their leads all the time. Unlike lots of people we run into we do respect 'the rules' & if they should be on a lead we will do so. We fully appreciate that many people do not like animals & they should not have to put up with other peoples bothering them but at the same time it would be so nice to let have some freedom.
