Hiking safety risks rise due to social media trends and poor preparation

The rise of social media has transformed hiking destinations into mere backdrops for photography, significantly increasing safety risks. At Norway’s Trolltunga, visitor numbers have surged from 800 in 2010 to approximately 80,000 annually, with 86 percent of visitors being international travelers. The trek is highly demanding, requiring between 7 and 12 hours depending on the starting point, yet many tourists arrive unprepared for the physical exertion or harsh weather conditions.

Tragic incidents have occurred due to the pursuit of the perfect shot, including a fatal fall of a student in Norway in 2015 and a double fatality at Cabo da Roca in Portugal after a couple crossed safety barriers for a photo.

In Switzerland, approximately 7,000 hikers suffer moderate to severe injuries annually, frequently involving lower leg, ankle, or knee injuries. Experts from the Swiss Hiking Trails Association emphasize that accidents often stem from poor planning and overestimating personal abilities. Key recommendations for preventing accidents include studying routes thoroughly—accounting for distance and elevation gain—and verifying the operating hours of mountain railways to avoid being stranded.