Navigating the Swiss parks network
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Swiss Parks Network
Monbijoustrasse 61
CH-3007 Berne

Tel. +41 (0)31 381 10 71
Mob. +41 (0)76 525 49 44
info@parks.swiss

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News from the parks

9th national Swiss parks market, 15th May 2025

Am Donnerstag, 15. Mai 2025, ist der Pärke-Markt zurück auf dem Bundesplatz in Bern. Auf dem Programm stehen Spezialitäten, Degustationen, Spiele und Mitmach-Aktivitäten an den Ständen, Musik und alles, was es braucht für eine gute Zeit. Reservieren Sie sich das Datum schon jetzt!

Schweizer Pärke auf dem Weg zu einem regenerativen Tourismusmodell

Die Schweizer Pärke stehen ein für echte Nachhaltigkeit in Tourismus und Freizeit. Touristische Angebote in diesen einzigartigen Regionen sollen möglichst wenig negative Effekte haben und sich sogar positiv auswirken.
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The Swiss Parks

20 unique places

The Swiss parks are extraordinary regions with incredible landscapes and vibrant traditions, mainly located in the Alps, at the foothill of the Alps as well as in the Jura mountains.

No two parks are alike

There are four different park categories in Switzerland: the Swiss National Park - National Parks of new generation - Regional Nature Parks - Nature Discovery Parks. 19 parks are operative and 1 is in the establishment phase. 

Clear goals in mind

Swiss parks have clearly defined goals and visions. They preserve and maintain valuable cultural and natural landscapes. They promote a sustainable regional economy and education for a sustainable development. They raise both their inhabitants and visitors' awareness about the ecological, cultural, historical and economic aspects of the region and support these elements.

Sustainable Development

Swiss parks are model regions for sustainable development. They value ecological, social and economic interests equally and promote sustainable development in their region.

Born thanks to the willingness and commitment of their inhabitants, the parks strengthen regional identity and ties, and provide a rich habitat for a wide range of flora and fauna. They also encourage slow tourism and promote local products thanks to the "Swiss parks" label.

From the idea to the actual park

Great ideas notwithstanding, parks do not emerge overnight. The community's commitment is an absolute prerequisite. First step: a feasibility study identifies a park potential for a particular region. Second step: the strategy and the objectives are defined in a charter. Finally, the inhabitants vote on the project. Should they accept it, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) grants the Park label to the newly born park.

The charter has a ten-year duration, after which park inhabitants vote again.

Making history

In 1914, the Swiss National Park made history as the first National Park in the Alps. Almost one hundred years later, time was ripe for another historical moment: in 2007, the new Nature and Cultural Heritage Protection Act provided for more parks to be created. Since then, 19 new parks were born or are currently being established.