Terms of Use

Last updated: March 2026

1. What Waldgang Is

Waldgang is a service that facilitates structured conversations between two people during curated forest walks in the Zurich area. We pair participants based on conversation format preferences and background information provided during signup. Waldgang is operated by Valentin Schmid as a sole proprietorship under SYSTEM SCHMID (UID: CHE-222.604.029).

2. Who Can Use Waldgang

You must be at least 18 years old to sign up for and participate in Waldgang walks. By signing up, you confirm that you are of legal age and that the information you provide is accurate and complete.

3. How It Works

Waldgang currently operates as a concierge service during its founding phase. This means:

• You sign up through waldgang.app and provide your preferences
• We personally review every signup and curate pairings by hand
• You are matched with a walking partner based on your chosen conversation format and background
• You approve your walking partner before any walk takes place
• Walks happen on public forest trails in the Zurich area
• You are free to end any walk at any time for any reason

4. Your Responsibilities

By participating in Waldgang, you agree to:

• Behave respectfully toward your walking partner at all times
• Arrive on time at the agreed meeting point
• Notify us at least 24 hours before a walk if you cannot attend
• Respect the confidentiality of conversations during walks – what is shared on the walk stays on the walk, unless both parties agree otherwise
• Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for a forest walk
• Disclose any health conditions that may be relevant to walking outdoors for 60–90 minutes
• Refrain from any form of harassment, discrimination, or threatening behavior

5. Our Responsibilities

Waldgang commits to:

• Personally reviewing and vetting every participant
• Curating pairings with care and intention
• Suggesting public, well-maintained forest trails where possible
• Responding to any concerns or feedback within 48 hours
• Taking immediate action on any reported safety concerns, including removing participants from the platform

While we review every signup and curate pairings with care, this does not constitute a background check, identity verification, or character assessment. We make no representations or warranties as to the conduct, identity, intentions, or veracity of any participant. Our review process is a best-effort curation, not a guarantee of safety or compatibility.

6. Safety and Walk Consent

All Waldgang walks take place on public routes. We offer gender pairing preferences and you always approve your walking partner before a walk is confirmed. You may share your live location with a trusted person during any walk.

Waldgang is a facilitation service. We introduce two people and provide a conversation format and a route. We do not accompany walks, and we cannot guarantee the behavior of any participant. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other participants, both during and outside of Waldgang walks.

7. Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by Swiss law (Art. 100 of the Swiss Code of Obligations):

Waldgang's liability is limited to the direct damages caused by our own gross negligence or intentional misconduct. We are not liable for:

• The conduct, statements, or actions of your walking partner
• Any physical injury, illness, or accident that occurs during a walk on public trails
• Weather conditions, trail conditions, or natural hazards encountered during a walk
• Lost or damaged personal property during a walk
• Any decisions you make based on conversations during a walk

Liability for damages caused by intentional misconduct or gross negligence cannot be excluded under Swiss law. Nothing in these terms limits such liability.

You participate in Waldgang walks at your own risk. Outdoor activities carry inherent risks including uneven terrain, weather exposure, and encounters with wildlife.

The Waldgang service is provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. We do not warrant that the service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or that any particular outcome will result from participation.

8. Conduct and Removal

We reserve the right to remove any participant from Waldgang at any time and without prior notice if:

• They engage in harassment, threatening, or discriminatory behavior
• They repeatedly cancel or fail to show up for walks without notice
• They misrepresent their identity or background
• They use Waldgang for solicitation, sales, or recruitment purposes
• Their behavior is reported as inappropriate by a walking partner

Two flags from different walking partners result in permanent removal. Removal decisions are final.

While we reserve the right to act on reported conduct, we have no obligation to monitor, investigate, or mediate interactions between participants.

9. Release and Waiver

To the fullest extent permitted by Swiss law, you release Waldgang, Valentin Schmid, and SYSTEM SCHMID from any claims, demands, losses, damages, rights, and actions of any kind arising from or related to your interactions with other participants, whether on or off a Waldgang walk. This release includes, but is not limited to, claims based on negligence, personal injury, emotional distress, or property damage.

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Waldgang, Valentin Schmid, and SYSTEM SCHMID from and against any third-party claims, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, and expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your participation in Waldgang, your conduct during or after a walk, or your breach of these Terms of Use.

11. Intellectual Property

The Waldgang name, logo, conversation formats, and website content are the property of Valentin Schmid / SYSTEM SCHMID. You may not use these without written permission.

Feedback, suggestions, and ideas you share with us about improving Waldgang may be used by us without obligation or compensation.

12. Privacy and Data Protection

Your personal data is processed in accordance with Swiss data protection law (nDSG) and our separate Privacy Policy. Key points:

• We collect only the data necessary to pair you with a walking partner
• Your data is never sold to third parties
• Walking partner pairings are made manually by us, not by algorithms
• You can request deletion of your data at any time by contacting waldgang@systemschmid.com
• Data is stored on servers located in the EU/Switzerland

13. Pricing and Payment

During the founding phase, participation in Waldgang is free. We reserve the right to introduce pricing for future walks. Any pricing changes will be communicated in advance. Founding walkers will always receive special terms.

14. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms of Use from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify you via email before the changes take effect. Continued participation after notification constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

These Terms of Use are governed by Swiss law. The exclusive place of jurisdiction is Zurich, Switzerland.

16. Severability

If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions remain in full effect.

17. Contact

Questions about these Terms of Use? Contact us at waldgang@systemschmid.com.