Why walking changes conversations
60% more creative output
Stanford research shows walking increases creative thinking by 60%. Add a forest environment that lowers cortisol within 20 minutes and you get the conditions where real ideas happen.
Side by side, not face to face
Walking synchronizes physiological rhythms between two people. Conversations flow naturally when you're moving in the same direction. No conference room pressure, no performative eye contact.
Structure creates depth
Most networking is aimless small talk. Choosing a conversation format before you walk means both people arrive with intention and leave with something useful.
This started as a personal project. Weekly forest walks with new people, no agenda, no business goal. Just walking and talking. What I noticed: some of the best conversations happened on those walks. Not in meeting rooms. Not on video calls. On forest trails, side by side, with someone I'd never met before.
I am starting Waldgang to find out if this works for others too. After 10+ years of building and leading teams — most recently as COO — I've developed an instinct for which people will have a great conversation together. The formats give it structure. The curation gives it relevance. The forest gives it honesty. The first 30 walkers will help shape what this becomes.
How it works right now
Ready to try a different kind of conversation?
Sign upConversation formats
The right structure turns a walk into something more than small talk. Four formats, each designed for a different kind of conversation. As a founding walker, your experience helps me refine them.
Most walks last between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the format and your preference.
How I keep Waldgang safe
Waldgang pairs strangers for walks in forests. I take that seriously.
Every participant is personally vetted.
I review every signup. If something doesn't feel right, you don't get paired. No automated approvals.
You always confirm first.
Before any walk happens, both people see who they're paired with and explicitly say yes. You'll receive your walking partner's first name, a short bio, the exact route, and a meeting point, all of which you can share with a friend or family member before you go. No surprises.
Walk with who you're comfortable with.
Tell me your preferences, including if you'd prefer to walk with same gender only. I respect that without question.
Public trails only.
Every route I suggest is well-trafficked, accessible, and in areas with cell coverage.
Leave anytime.
You can end any walk at any point, no explanation needed. Your walking partner will understand.
Your gut counts.
If anything feels off: before, during, or after, tell me. Reach me directly at +41 79 706 77 36 (WhatsApp). I'd rather cancel ten walks than ignore one concern.
Things people ask
Does it cost anything?
Not for founding walkers. Long-term, I'm working on a model that makes Waldgang sustainable and scalable, so it can keep growing and getting better over time. Founding walkers will always get special terms.
What if I'm not the extroverted type?
Most people who sign up aren't. Walking side by side is different from sitting across a table. Less pressure, more natural rhythm. Silence is fine. You're not networking, you're having one conversation with one person.
What does "founding walker" mean?
You're one of the first 30 people shaping what Waldgang becomes. Not just walking, but giving feedback that changes the formats, the pairing, how this grows. You're building this with me.
Is it always one-on-one?
Right now, yes. One walk, two people. I'm exploring small group formats too, but the core of Waldgang is a focused conversation between two people who wouldn't have met otherwise.
Who will I be paired with?
Someone I've vetted and paired with you personally. Everyone shares their background and expertise when they sign up. I read every one and pair based on what actually fits, not an algorithm.
How does communication work?
Everything goes through me. I introduce you both via email with the walk details. Your contact details are never shared. You get a personal walk page to confirm, chat with your partner, and sort out the meeting point.
When do walks happen?
Whenever works for both of you. Most walks happen on weekday evenings or weekend mornings, but once you're paired, you coordinate directly on your walk page. No fixed schedule.
The first 30 founding walkers
I'm hand-selecting the first group of walkers in the Zurich area. No app yet. Every pairing goes through me personally. I pair you with the right person and send you a curated route. Sign up below and I'll be in touch.
Want to do more than walk?
Waldgang is early. I'm not just looking for walkers, I'm looking for people who want to help shape what this becomes.
Community hosts are people who know their trails, enjoy bringing others together, and want to lead walks in their area. You don't need to be a coach or facilitator. You need to care about good conversations and know a good route.
If that sounds like you, mention it in the signup form. I'll reach out to talk about what hosting could look like.