Switzerland’s highest campsite closes due to mudslide risks

According to the Valais building commission, the danger situation at the campsite in Arolla, located at the foot of the mountains and on the banks of the Borgne, has worsened. Keystone-SDA

Valais authorities have ordered the closure of Switzerland's highest campsite in Arolla due to the risks of mudslides. The decision was made at the beginning of July following an appeal by the campsite owners.

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The mayor of Evolène, Virginie Gaspoz, confirmed a report by the newspaper Le Nouvelliste to the Keystone-SDA news agency on Saturday.

After storms in 2024, which led to flooding of the River Borgne and weakened the river banks, it was known that the hazard map would be updated, she said.

“We had hoped that we would be able to operate the campsite this year, as we knew that the current zoning plan would be revised,” she continued. But the canton decided otherwise.

According to the cantonal building commission, the danger situation at the campsite in Arolla, located at the foot of the mountains and on the banks of the Borgne, has worsened. The safety of visitors is no longer guaranteed.

The commission therefore ordered the immediate closure of the campsite on June 12. The campsite owners lodged an appeal, but canton Valais rejected it and confirmed the planned closure on July 13.

Camping at almost 2,000 metres

The Arolla campsite is located at an altitude of 1,950 metres and registers around 12,000 overnight stays per year in a region known for its mountain activities. A campsite manager cited in the Valais newspaper called the decision “a slap in the face”.

The municipality is currently working on a relocation, Gaspoz said. “We are currently in talks about an alternative site in order to be able to continue this summer season,” the campsite said on their website.

Canton Valais recently made headlines after a series of natural disasters. In addition to the devastating glacier collapse in Blatten in the Lötschental valley on May 28, debris flows occurred in the Val de Bagnes region in June.

Translated from German by DeepL/sb

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