Rockand Hike – 7 Hills Challenge
1'400
participants
Client voice
With the 7 Hills Challenge, we have extended our offering beyond individual event days. This keeps Rockand present over several months and keeps giving people a reason to lace up their hiking boots.
Miguel AlvarezFounder, Rockand Read the interview
The Rockand 7 Hills Challenge turns hiking around Lake Zurich into a digital season mission – and with LaceUp keeps the region moving all summer long.
The 7 Hills Challenge brings the Rockand hiking experience into a new, digital format. Between May and October, hiking enthusiasts can climb six summits around Lake Zurich plus one bonus hill in Graubünden – flexibly, individually, in any order they choose.
Completed hikes are captured and verified automatically via Strava or Garmin. Alternatively, a QR-code scan right at the summit signpost is enough. There is a digital badge for every hill reached – and with each one, your personal status rises. The hiking season becomes a game: collect, compare, keep going.
6 hills in the Zurich region
The 7 Hills Challenge is for everyone who wants to discover the most beautiful viewpoints of Zurich's hills – as a sporting challenge, a family adventure or a spontaneous after-work tour.
Real hills, real views – digitally connected. Rockand Hike – your hiking season around Lake Zurich.
Who is the format for?
- Everyone who wants to discover, or rediscover, hiking around Zurich.
- Active people who want to structure their season around a clear goal and "tick off" each hill.
- Brands, destinations and partners that want to stand out with digital outdoor experiences and an active community.
With QR-code verification
How does it work?
- Register for free and connect your account with Strava or Garmin – or choose QR-code verification.
- Climb the seven hills in any order between May and October.
- There is a digital badge for every summit – prizes and exclusive discounts await at 2, 3, 5 and 7 hills.
- Whoever collects all seven hills becomes a Hill Legend – immortalised on the Wall of Fame.
Highlights & USPs
- Flexible participation: no fixed dates, no set route – everyone goes when and how it suits them.
- A digital experience layer: badges, status levels and a live ranking connect nature with gamification.
- Two verification paths: automatically via GPS account, or simply by QR code on site.
- Bonus hill in Graubünden: the Maighels hut at 2,310 m adds high-Alpine flair and the chance to win a hiking weekend at Hotel Nira Alpina in Silvaplana.
- Strong partners: Fjällräven, Luminox, Graubünden Tourism and the Zurich hiking trails association as presenting partners.
Why is it interesting for partners & sponsors?
- Visibility in the growing hiking and outdoor community around Zurich
- Digital integration via badges, rankings and online presence
- Direct value for customers and guests through discounts and attractive prizes
- Storytelling potential through the built-in photo competition and monthly community votes on Instagram
Interview
In conversation with Miguel Alvarez
Founder, Rockand
What has changed for your community compared with individual hikes on fixed dates?
With the 7 Hills Challenge, we have extended our offering beyond individual event days. Our community can decide for itself when and with whom to head out – and still works towards a shared goal. This keeps Rockand present over several months and keeps giving people a reason to lace up their hiking boots. Around 1,400 participants show how well this flexible format is received.
How much effort did technology, support and communication take on your side?
We were able to integrate the communication easily into our existing channels: website, newsletter and social media. It wasn't just about the launch, but also about motivating participants to keep going during the challenge with updates and reminders.
Would you recommend LaceUp – and to whom specifically?
Yes – especially to event organisers, tourism regions and outdoor communities who want to get people moving beyond a single event. For us, the 7 Hills Challenge is a valuable addition to our hikes: flexible for participants, with a shared goal that brings people together.
Answers by Miguel Alvarez, translated from German.
Live demo
Try the check-in yourself
We set a checkpoint exactly where you are standing, and five more in villages around you. This is how participants experience a Trophy: no app, just their phone.
- Share your location
- Collect the checkpoint
- Five more around you
Map image © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap
