We mentioned this when we launched the Map Patou layer in Whympr: knowing where herds and their guard dogs are located is essential for planning your mountain trips with peace of mind. Today, we’re taking it to the next level with two concrete improvements: an enhanced Map Patou layer (France) and a new Patou layer for Switzerland.
01 — Improvements to the Map Patou layer in France
We’ve heard your feedback, and we’ve taken action. The Map Patou France overlay now loads in a flash, whereas before you sometimes had to wait a few seconds. No more frustration before you set off: the map loads instantly, even in the busiest areas. Now you can check your route at the last minute without any stress, even on a slow mobile network.
Another improvement to the layer: you can now tap on areas to view detailed information.
What's included: the herding schedule (dates when the shepherd and the herd will be present) and information about the species found on the mountain pasture. A practical way to tailor your itinerary with specific details—not just a colored area on the map.
Reminder: To enable the Map Patou layer, go to “Maps” then “Layers” and enable Map Patou. Tap on a location in France to view details.
02 — A new Patou map for Switzerland
Good news for hikers in Switzerland: maps showing where herding dogs are present are now available for the Swiss Alps. Whether you’re crossing the border from Haute-Savoie or planning a trip to Valais or Graubünden, you can view the mountain pastures where herding dogs are present.
To enable the Patou layer in Switzerland, tap “Areas with guard dogs” in the Switzerland section of the Maps tab. Areas with Patous will then be displayed in yellow on the map.
These two developments follow a partnership with the FOEN, Pasto Kézako, and the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Pastoral Network, which have been working since 2023 to facilitate coexistence between hikers and pastoralists. The data is updated regularly, but remember: the mountains remain unpredictable. Always stay alert, whether you’re a patou or not.
