What we’re about
Join the tribe of Mystery hikers for a rewilding adventure in Switzerland’s breathtaking nature. Relax to the the calming sounds of the forest, listen to the chirping of birds, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, take a swim in a pristine mountain lake and delight in the kiss of the sun on your skin. Become aware of the small and hidden wonders offered at every step of the journey.
Let go of the daily worries, disconnect and let yourself immerse in the blissful experience of moving and flowing in sync with nature. Feel your body and listen to your soul. Soak up the energy and swing back to your natural balance, enjoying yourself in gratitude, peace and surrounded by a few like-minded souls.
What is a Mystery hike?
Every mystery hike lets you discover hidden facets of Switzerland’s stunning landscapes, mountains, lakes and creeks. As a Mystery hiker, you receive only the information about the starting point - the itinerary remains veiled - allowing you to let go, remain curious and enjoy the less traveled path ahead.
By joining this group you will be motivated to keep hiking and slowly build up your stamina and fitness level. Mystery hikers come from around the world and are truly world citizens. You will hear, speak and cling to the music and sounds of accents and languages that will color and make the shared experience even more memorable.
You are invited to make new friends - or take time for yourself in silence - during the day long event. Join me for an unforgettable day of adventure.
I always plan the mystery hikes as a full day package that is filled with remote and hidden trails - perfect to disconnect - as well as culinary delights and other surprises. Furthermore, all mystery hikes are limited to max. 10 mystery hikers. This allows each participant to enjoy a more bespoke hiking and outdoor experience. The fee to join a mystery hike varies and is indicated for each hike, payable via TWINT upon signing up (see FAQ for further details).
What do people say about Mystery hikes?
“Sending my gratitude to Todor. Thanks for making potentially a bad day into an active, beautiful and enjoyable one!” Viktor R.
“We had a splendid day, vast views to enjoy and we had a delicious dinner together. I feel healed, energized, happy, very grateful with all of you to our fantastic leader Todor in particular. Looking forward to our next mystery medicine!” EnriKo L.
Have a look at what a typical mystery hike looks like here.
Which Mystery hike is the right one for me?
All hikes range from T1-T3 and here is what you can expect from a Mystery hike:
Meager Mystery hike : 15-20 km, 500m-1000m elevation gain, 6-7 hrs
Moderate Mystery hike : 20-25 km, 1000m-2000m elevation gain, 7-8 hrs
Merciless Mystery hike : +25 km, +2000m elevation gain, +8 hrs
About me
I discovered meetup hiking in Hong Kong in 2011. I became quickly enchanted by the amazing nature trails Hong Kong has to offer and that remain hidden to most passing through tourists. After organizing easy hikes, I started joining and organizing night hikes, bushwhacking hikes and - my all time favorites - stream trekking hikes. From 2011-2014 I participated twice in the Lantau Moontrekker, numerous KOTH (King of the hills) competitions and completed three times the 100km Oxfam trail walker event.
Ever since I have been organizing hikes of different levels and continued doing so, when moving back to Switzerland in 2014. It has been a wonderful way to explore nature and build a tribe of lovers of the outdoors. To date I have organized more than 300 hikes and I continue to explore new routes almost every weekend.
In 2023 I have started a training with the Swiss Mountain Association to become an internationally certified hiking leader. This will allow me to offer you a safer, more complete and memorable outdoor experience.
Click the “Join us!” button to get started.
For safety reasons please post an actual picture of yourself with a clear facial view on your profile (no group picture please). Upon joining please read and answer all 4 questions to help me improve your hiking experience.
Disclaimer
By joining the Mystery hike group, you pledge to respect nature and other participants.
Outdoor activities can be dangerous and accidents can happen. Mystery hikes are guided hikes but each participants is responsible for his/her insurance cover against any risks associated with the hikes. A membership at the Rega is highly recommended.
Some of these hikes are challenging and require a good fitness level. You are the most suitable person to judge your own physical and mental ability prior to and during the hike and the organizer cannot be held accountable for any resulting difficulties due to insufficiencies.
Data privacy
By signing up to the ‘mystery hike group’ you agree that pictures taken during the Mystery hikes can be freely shared amongst the participants and be posted on the meetup platform and other social network platforms.
Any type of personal data (name, WhatsApp number, etc.) that is shared via meetup will be only used for sharing information about the the Mystery hike that you signed up for. For additional information on data privacy please consult the meetup page.
FAQ (things worth knowing):
Is it always a mystery?
Yes.
Can I rely on the start and finish times provided in the description?
Start and finish times are estimates, since hiking speed, ad-hoc itinerary changes, or unforeseen (yet necessary) foraging activities are in constant 'flow'. It is recommended to block the entire day for a Mystery hike since we traditionally finish the day with a joint dinner.
How many people usually join?
Depending on the difficulty level and the itinerary the group sizes varies from min 5 - max 10 people.
Can I join right away a Merciless or Nemesis mystery hike?
Merciless & Nemesis Mystery hikes are for very fit hikers only and you should have previously joined for a moderate mystery hike.
How can I assess my fitness level?
In case you live in Zürich, one good indicator is to hike from Albisgütli to the top of Uetliberg (ideally this should take you between 45 and 60min - for joining a moderate hike). This is equivalent of a vertical speed of 350-400m elevation gain per hour.
Can I bring a friend?
Please ask your friend to create her/his own profile on meetup to join the Mystery hikes group.
Can I bring my dog?
To protect local wildlife as well as allowing all fellow Mystery hikers a relaxed hiking experience all Mystery hikes are pet free.
How do I sign up and pay?
Upon signing up, you should send me your WhatsApp number via direct message on meetup. Your name will be put on the waiting list and you will receive payment instructions (for payment via TWINT). Once your payment is received your spot is confirmed and you will be moved to the list of participants. If no payment is received within 12 hours after having received the payment instructions, your spot is forfeit and you will be moved to status ‘not going’.
What if I forget to send you my WhatsApp number?
If you sign up without sending your WhatsApp number, you will be moved to status ‘not going’.
What if I need to cancel?
If you cancel last minute (i.e. 48 hours or less before the hike) your money is not refunded. If you cancel more than 48 hours before the hike, your money is only refunded if a person from the waiting list takes your spot.
What if the hike is full and I am still on the waiting list?
In case a spot opens up, the first person on the waiting list will be notified via WhatsApp with the possibility to join.
When are RSVP’s no longer possible?
In case the waiting list has more than 10 people the RSVP’s will be closed. All RSVP’s will be closed 48 hours prior to the hike.
What if I am on the waiting list but not really planning on joining?
Out of courtesy I would ask anyone not being able to join to change the status to ‘not going’.
How do we get to the starting point?
All Mystery hikes are planned for and with public transportation. Arrivals by car are not accepted due to long waiting times in the past and even more so, to be environmentally conscious.
How do I dress? What do I need to bring?
Each participant receives a detailed pack list on how to dress and what to bring (i.e. picnic lunch) for each Mystery hike.
How do we communicate with you prior to the hike?
You can send me a direct message on meetup should you have any questions.
When do I get the details on the starting point & time of a mystery hike?
48 hours prior to the Mystery hike, a WhatsApp group is created and further details are shared (which train to take, what to bring, how to dress, etc.). For any last minute questions you can post them in the group (as long as they are relevant to the group), otherwise I would ask you to send a WhatsApp message just to me.
What if rain / bad weather is forecasted?
Each mystery itinerary is chosen carefully taking into consideration the weather, terrain, and topography. In addition, an exit route or shelter location is always foreseen to remain safe at all times. In case of severe thunderstorm warning, hikes can be exceptionally cancelled. In such a case all money is refunded.
How are ‘no shows’ treated?
In principle there is a strict ‘no show’ policy for my hikes. Obviously, this is a different story in case of emergency but I rely on people to stand by their word and commitment, especially as others who are on the waiting list are deprived of joining.