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Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Latin America / Mexico / Oaxaca

Day of the Dead: how to celebrate Día de Muertos in Oaxaca, México

20 November 2023

Last Updated on 4 January 2024

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is one of Mexico’s most important spiritual traditions and an incredible celebration of life that dates back thousands of years to the country’s rich pre-hispanic roots.

Although festivities take place all over the country, there is absolutely no better place to experience a colourful and authentic Día de Muertos than in Oaxaca! Here’s a quick guide to get you ready to celebrate like a local, including tips on when to arrive, where to stay, how to dress up, and exactly where to go in & around Oaxaca City to experience the best of Día de Muertos.

What's in this guide

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  • The incredible tradition of Día de Muertos in Mexico
  • Planning guide for Día de Muertos
    • When to be in Oaxaca for Día de Muertos
    • Where to stay in Oaxaca for Día de Muertos
    • When to book your trip to Oaxaca for Día de Muertos
  • Dressing up for Día de Muertos
  • How to celebrate Día de Muertos in Oaxaca
    • 1 | Centro Histórico
    • 2 | Admire Día de Muertos ofrendas
    • 3 | Tapetes de arena (sand carpets)
    • 4 | Attend a comparsa
    • 5 | Plaza de la Constitución
    • 6 | Have your makeup done
    • 7 | El Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán
    • 8 | Party in Etla
    • 9 | Attend an outdoor concert
    • 10 | Centro Cultural San Pablo
    • 11 | Jalatlaco
    • 12 | Shop at local artisan markets
    • 13 | Panteón General Oaxaca
    • 14 | Taste local mezcal
    • 15 | Enjoy local Oaxacan cuisine
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is an explosion of colour during Día de Muertos

The incredible tradition of Día de Muertos in Mexico

Around the world, you’ll often hear Day of the Dead described as “Mexican Halloween”, but this tradition is actually one of the most profound and spiritually significant events in Mexico that has nothing to do with spooky witches or pumpkin carving and everything to do with honouring the lives of those who’ve passed on.

On November 1st and 2nd, it’s believed that the veil between our world and the spirit world dissolves, allowing the souls of the dead to return to their loved ones to dance, to party, to celebrate, to walk among us for a few hours. 

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

Many of these celebrations take place right in the cemetery, where graves are decorated with bright marigolds, adorned with candles, and laden with offerings of the deceased’s favourite food and drink. Entire families come together to welcome their loved ones home and it’s not unusual to see bands playing as tacos are grilled up and mezcal is passed around, the kind of laughter, dancing, and merriment that would be instantly out of place in graveyards of Australia or the US.

These festivities passionately honour those who’ve passed on into the next existence, one of the most powerful symbols of how Mexicans view death, and by extension, life… love, family, and community above all else.

It’s not to say that death is never a somber affair— loss is mourned intensely in Mexico, but after 40 days, believed (by many cultures around the world) to represent the time it takes a soul to travel towards the light, Mexicans choose instead to celebrate their loved ones through explosive parades, all-night parties & elaborate costumes. 

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos is both about honouring our dead & celebrating life

Planning guide for Día de Muertos

When to be in Oaxaca for Día de Muertos

Though local traditions do vary between states, throughout Mexico, Día de Muertos is celebrated on the 1st and 2nd of November— it is believed that the soul’s of deceased children return at midnight on the 31st of October and adults at midnight on the following day, with the largest celebrations taking place on the 1st of November and into the morning hours of the 2nd.

However, Día de Muertos festivities in Oaxaca typically span a full week or more, so if you’re hoping to attend Magna Comparsa, visit the marigold fields before they’re harvested, and watch as the city explodes in colourful decorations, you should aim to be in Oaxaca from 27 October – 3 November for the full experience of Día de Muertos.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

Where to stay in Oaxaca for Día de Muertos

As with any trip to Oaxaca de Juarez (the official name of Oaxaca City, which is the capital of Oaxaca state), I’d recommend staying in one of two areas to fully appreciate the city: the Centro Histórico or Jalatlaco.

The most extravagant Día de Muertos celebrations within Oaxaca take place in and around the city’s historic centre, so anywhere within walking distance will make it easy for you to join in at all hours. Also within spitting distance of the Centro Histórico is Jalatlaco, the city’s arts district. This is by far my favourite neighbourhood to wander around in Oaxaca— it’s incredibly colourful, full of amazing restaurants, and always bustling with festive activity.

Centro Histórico

  • AYOOK: gorgeous boutique hotel with a fantastic included breakfast (starting at $85/night)
  • Selina Oaxaca: my favourite upscale hostel chain, with an assortment of dorm rooms, privates, and apartments, plus incredible on-site ammenities including a restaurant, bar, communal kitchen, co-working space, and expansive rooftop (dorms starting at $14/night; private rooms starting at $70/night)
  • XOCO: trendy boutique hotel with simple but comfortable rooms (starting at $60/night)
  • Viajero Oaxaca: another phenomenal international hostel chain with a rooftop bar, daily activities, and a wide selection of rooms, from low-cost communal dorms to private rooms with ensuite bathrooms (dorms starting at $20/night; private rooms starting at $60/night)
  • Hotel Tabáa Oaxaca: upscale rooms in a beautiful boutique hotel with all the amenities (starting at $195/night)

Jalatlaco

  • La Cochinilla Hotel Boutique: centrally located boutique with gorgeous rooftop views and super reasonable prices (starting at $45/night for shared bathroom; $75/night with ensuite)
  • Paraje La Huerta: family-owned Jalatlaco hotel with beautiful gardens and comfortable rooms, but most importantly, super friendly hosts ready to help make your trip to Oaxaca special! (starting at $105/night)

If you’re willing to take an inexpensive taxi, then you can realistically stay anywhere in Oaxaca city to enjoy Día de Muertos! Outside of these recommended areas, hotels are likely cheaper and may remain available even after more central locations are fully booked.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

When to book your trip to Oaxaca for Día de Muertos

If you are hoping to celebrate Día de Muertos in Oaxaca, you need to plan (and book!) your trip as FAR in advance as possible— people come from all over Mexico to celebrate Día de Muertos in Oaxaca City and accommodation can and will become FULLY booked up!

For a good selection of options, you should plan your trip at least 6 months in advance; within 2-3 months of the event, you can expect very few hotels to be available.

I decided to go to Día de Muertos in Oaxaca rather last-minute while I was living in San Cristóbal, Chiapas and there was NO accommodation available (seriously, NONE)— I refreshed Booking.com every day hoping for a cancellation and finally snatched a dorm bed for a single night, which gave me 2 full days in the city (arriving at 8am on 1 Nov & departing at 8pm on 2 Nov). Better than nothing, but let this be a warning that Día de Muertos is NOT something you can easily attend without prior planning and, as it may be, the willingness to spend 2 nights on an overnight bus…

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Many locals spend hours doing makeup for Día de Muertos

Dressing up for Día de Muertos

One of the best ways to get into Día de Muertos, even as a foreigner, is to dress up in elaborate costumes— none more iconic than La Calavera Catrina, the elegant skull.

The skull makeup so closely associated with Day of the Dead actually relates to a 1912 illustration by Jose Guadalupe Posada, later honoured (and largely popularised as ‘La Catrina’) in a mural by renowned Mexican artist, Diego Rivera. Depicting a well-dressed woman as a skeleton, the artwork was intended as a commentary on how death is the one common thread between the rich and poor, and regardless of material wealth, we are all skeletons in the end.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Sueno de una tarde dominical en la Alameda Centra (1947) by Diego Rivera

This is the most popular way to dress up and get into the festive spirit of Día de Muertos, and you can find stalls all over the city centre painting a million creative versions of La Catrina! I’ll share more information on where to get your makeup done in the section below, but I highly recommend dressing up at least once during your time in Oaxaca City.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
You’ll even see beautiful costumes at the Oaxaca cemetery
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Dressing up is the best way to enjoy Día de Muertos in Oaxaca

Is it appropriate for gringos to dress up for Día de Muertos??

I’ve spent more than a year travelling through Mexico and have been overwhelmed by how readily foreigners are encouraged to take part in local traditions. Love, genuine interest, and above all RESPECT for Mexican customs are almost always enough to earn you an honorary seat at the table. Even foreigners are encouraged to dress up and paint their faces for Día de Muertos, often pulled close to celebrate with local families at the cemetery, dance in raucous parades, or share in fiery mezcal. It’s hard to remain a stranger in Mexico!

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Most of the costumes feature skeletons and skulls

If you attend local parades, or comparsas, you’re also likely to see a variety of spooky and even rather curious costumes, everything from skeletons on stilts to ghouls and goblins to… doctors and priests? Even though it is NOT Mexican Halloween, there’s a rich history of elaborate Día de Muertos costumes in Mexico and dressing up is a fantastic way to join in!

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Jalatlaco is a great place to see elaborate Día de Muertos decorations

How to celebrate Día de Muertos in Oaxaca

Wondering where to go and what to see in Oaxaca during Día de Muertos? I spent just 2 full days in the city for this incredible celebration, and although it was far from the full week I would LOVE to have enjoyed, I was still able to squeeze so much out of my time! Here’s a checklist of experiences to help you get the most out of your Día de Muertos celebrations in Oaxaca:

1 | Centro Histórico

Start off your Día de Muertos experience in Oaxaca by simply wandering through the Centro Histórico (Historic Centre) to see the entire city decorated in colourful flowers, flags, skeletons, and other Day of the Dead paraphernalia. Often, you’ll stumble right into a raucous comparsa or live music when you least expect it!

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Centro Historico is a great place to start your Día de Muertos celebrations in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

2 | Admire Día de Muertos ofrendas

Locals honour their dead in the weeks leading up to Día de Muertos through the creation of beautiful altars or ofrendas, decorated with photos of the deceased, some of their favourite food & drink, colourful cempasúchil (marigolds), and plentiful candles. These can be seen all over the city in restaurants, shops, courtyards… keep your eyes open!

Traditionally, these ofrendas will have many layers or tiers, with the uppermost representing heaven and the lowest representing earth. There’s also important symbolism to the items placed on the alter, intended to represent the 4 elements and believed to guide the souls of loved ones home:

  • Earth represented by offerings of food, typically bread (including the traditional Pan de Muerto) and fruit, which is believed to nourish the souls of the dead
  • Wind represented by papel picado (colourful tissue-paper cut with beautiful designs) that blows in the breeze
  • Fire of burning candles is believed to help guide the souls home
  • Water to satisfy the thirst of the dead after their long journey back to earth (you’ll also see other beverages on the altar, such as pulque or mezcal, which are considered sacred in Mexico and seen as a way to further honour and celebrate the deceased upon their return)
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Locals place photos of their loved ones & offerings on altars around the city (or in their homes)
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Offerings are often the favourite food or drinks of a loved one

3 | Tapetes de arena (sand carpets)

Tapetes de arena (sand carpets or sand rugs) are a traditional art form associated with Día de Muertos, originating in the town of Zaachila, about an hour outside of Oaxaca de Juarez. Colourful sand is used to create large and often elaborate murals on the street, typically with themes of death and life, such as skeletons, skulls, and flowers.

If time allows, you can visit Zaachila to see the most elaborate sand carpets, but within Oaxaca City, you can also find tapetes de arena along Avenida de la Independencia.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Amazing tapetes de arena (sand carpets)
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
There’s a long history of sand carpets in Oaxaca

4 | Attend a comparsa

Magna Comparsa (The Grand Parade) is the largest and most eagerly anticipated of the Día de Muertos parades in Oaxaca de Juarez, opening the festivities a few days prior to Day of the Dead (usually around 27 October).

Even if you don’t arrive in the city in time to catch Magna Comparsa, every day from 28 Oct-2 Nov will feature comparsas of varying scale in Oaxaca and the surrounding towns! The best way to find out about each year’s schedule is on the Oaxaca Events page.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Make sure to enjoy a few comparsas in Oaxaca during Día de Muertos

5 | Plaza de la Constitución

Oaxaca is the most culturally diverse state in Mexico! With 16 different indigenous groups and hundreds of subgroups, each with their own linguistic and social customs, the people of Oaxaca celebrate Día de Muertos according to their own nuanced traditions and no two communities are entirely alike.

To learn more about these communities and see a diverse range of Día de Muertos ofrendas, head to Plaza de la Constitución, where local communities have assembled beautiful, traditional altars representative of their own unique culture and customs.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Beautiful community altars in the Plaza
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Marigolds are a traditional way to decorate Día de Muertos altars

6 | Have your makeup done

As you would have read above, having your makeup done in the style of La Catrina (or simply as a spooky skull, for the guys) is one of the most fun ways to participate in Día de Muertos as a visitor! There are hundreds of vendors set up along the streets of Oaxaca, tables overflowing with colourful face paint, glitter, jewels, and brushes— head to El Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán to find some of the best, but they are all over Centro and even Jalatlaco (just listen for shouts of maquillaje).

Typically, street artists will have binders with photos of different makeup options— flip through to find a style and colour palate that appeals to you or even show a photo off your phone if you’re after something specific. Expect to pay 150-200p ($8-10) for colourful face paint and then add a fresh marigold crown for 100-200p ($5-10).

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Makeup stands are set up all over the city
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Local girl with beautiful calavera makeup

7 | El Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

Once you’ve got your makeup done, be sure to stop in front of the iconic Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán to snap some photos! This is an instantly recognisable symbol of Oaxaca and the perfect place to get pictures while dressed up for Día de Muertos.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Make sure to snap a photo in front of the iconic Templo de Santo Domingo de Guzmán

8 | Party in Etla

Ask a local and they’ll all tell you: the most elaborate costumes and explosive comparsas, also called muerteadas, in all of Oaxaca can be found outside the city in the communities of Etla. This isn’t a single destination, but rather a group of towns (San Augustín Etla, Reyes Etla, Soledad de Etla, etc).

These raucous muerteadas take place on the evening on November 1st, where hundreds or even thousands of locals gather in extravagant costumes and parade through the streets, cramming into homes and courtyards to play music and drink for a bit before carrying on through town to the next destination, all the way until morning. The bands are loud, the dancing is chaotic, and the mezcal is flee-flowing— many participants are carrying bottles of the local spirit and will pass it around to friends and strangers alike.

You can grab a colectivo out to the Valle de Etla for a few pesos and, once there, spend hours partying with the locals. There’s typically street food to be found at all hours, as well as a variety of cocktails being sold for ~50p ($2-3USD), but most importantly, come ready to dance! I didn’t take heaps of photos of this experience because I was so swept up in the excitement of being there (with a local group of nursing students I’d met in the city earlier that day), so check out this video for what to expect in Etla.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Celebrating Día de Muertos with the locals in Etla

9 | Attend an outdoor concert

Live music is plentiful during Día de Muertos and you can hardly walk through the city without stumbling upon a free outdoor concert!

These take place routinely in Plaza de la Danza and in Plaza de la Constitución (pictured below), but if you want to plan ahead, all of the concerts are published in an official Día de Muertos programme released annually by the city.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Outdoor concerts are almost constant through Día de Muertos celebrations

10 | Centro Cultural San Pablo

This 17th-century convent in the centre of the city has been converted into a cultural centre with interesting art exhibitions relating to Oaxacan culture and tradition. It’s particularly worth a visit during Día de Muertos to see the decorations and understand more about the history of these celebrations!

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Centro Cultural San Pablo decorated for Día de Muertos

11 | Jalatlaco

Make sure to spend a few hours strolling through Jalatlaco, Oaxaca’s colourful arts district that is simply overflowing with street art, much of which is associated with Día de Muertos iconography. The walls are covered in beautiful murals, papel picado (colourful tissue-paper cut with beautiful designs) floats overhead in a rainbow of colours, every entryway is elaborately decorated, and spectacular ofrendas are in abundance.

Even outside of November, visiting Jalatlaco will give you a taste of Día de Muertos, but it is especially magical during this time of year! You can easily walk from the Centro to Jalatlaco and then wander around, enjoying the scenery.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Jalatlaco is Oaxaca artsiest neighbourhood
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

12 | Shop at local artisan markets

Whether you’re looking for local pieces to pull together the perfect Día de Muertos costume or hoping to bring some of Oaxaca home with you, make sure to peruse the craft market in front of Templo del Carmen Alto. This is one of my favourite spots in the city to find unique pieces, from traditional wool bags to handmade jewellery, rather than the more mass-produced offers at some of the other markets around Oaxaca.

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
My favourite artisan market in Oaxaca! a

13 | Panteón General Oaxaca

Because Día de Muertos is about honouring death as a natural part of life and welcoming the souls of our loved ones back to earth for one night, the best way to appreciate the significance of this holiday is to visit a local cemetery.

It may sound curious to associate joyful celebration with a cemetery, but Día de Muertos is not a somber or sad experience— it’s a time for families to come together and celebrate those who’ve passed into the next life, and that typically involves taco cookouts, a lot of drinking, loud music, dancing, and general merriment!

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca

A short walk from Centro, visit Panteón General Oaxaca to see the festivities— nighttime is a very spiritual and authentic experience as the souls are welcomed back with the lighting of thousands of candles (evenings of October 31st and November 1st), while the afternoon is more like a carnival with rides, cocktails, street food, and live bands or reggaeton blasting on speakers (November 2nd is a great time to visit).

Is it respectful to wander around the cemetery and take photos?

As a foreigner, it can feel a little strange walking around and snapping photos in a cemetery— culturally, this is just not done in places like Australia, the UK, or the US— but it isn’t at all out of place during Día de Muertos in Oaxaca. It’s obviously never respectful to shove a camera lens in someone’s face, but I found families to be incredibly welcoming of my presence, some posing for photos (after I asked if it was ok) or even inviting me over to share their food, and all the locals I spoke to assured me it was totally acceptable to take photos of the graves and ofrendas. Above all, Mexicans are excited to share their traditions and customs with foreigners who are genuinely interested and respectful!

Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Live music at the Panteón General Oaxaca (local cemetery)
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Graves decorated with candles and marigolds for Día de Muertos

14 | Taste local mezcal

Produced from over a hundred varietals wild agave according to simple ancestral distillation methods, mezcal has thousands of years of history in pre-Hispanic Mesoamérica and continues to be regarded as a sacred beverage by many of the indigenous communities in Oaxaca. At its core, mezcal is a deep part of local culture rather than just a means to get drunk.

Mezcal is also an important part of Día de Muertos! You may see it set out on altars or graves as an offering to the dead (who are believed to enjoy mezcal as much as the living) or being passed around during nighttime muerteadas, and there’s even a very elaborate type of mezcal produced specifically for Día de Muertos: Pechuga de Pollo.

Common ingredients used in Pechuga de Pollo mezcal [Photo from El Jolgorio]

During the distillation process, a variety of fruits, nuts, and spices are incorporated into the mezcal and, most importantly, raw chicken breast is suspended inside the still, slowly cooking in the vapours, dripping small quantities of fat into the spirit, but mostly imbuing the mezcal with a spiced, savoury quality. It sounds strange, but it’s actually one of the most delicious varieties of mezcal and certainly the most special.

If you’d like to gain a deeper appreciation for this spirit and its connection to local customs, I’d highly recommend visiting a mezcal bar while in Oaxaca. Here are some of my personal favourites:

  • In Situ: enormous selection of mezcal, priced for individual shots (most 120-180p) but they will give you free samples and are extremely knowledgeable
  • La Mezcaloteca: you’ll need to reserve a tasting in advance, but this is a crash-course in mezcal and the best way to understand the spirit if you haven’t visited a palenque
  • Espacio Mezcal: nice outdoor patio and small-batch mezcal from surrounding towns, 90-120p for a 2oz taster (be sure to try some from maestra mezcalera Bertha Vazquez, whom I met in San Baltazar Chichicapam on my vanlife trip around Mexico— she’s a real legend and one of the few women in the industry!)
  • Cuishe: some excellent mezcal, priced per shot (100-150) but you can taste for free, great staff 
  • Los Amantes: 250p to taste 3 mezcals in beautiful small setting; good for the experience, but not my absolute favourite mezcal (order a cocktail on the rooftop for one of the best views in the city)
  • Mezcal & Mole Tasting: for those really looking to get a deeper understanding of mezcal and mole, both native to Oaxaca, this Airbnb experience is super fun and features a tasting board of 7 mezcals paired with 7 moles; I loved it so much that I bought it for my mum and her husband when they visited Oaxaca and it was an all-around hit!
Best mezcal in Oaxaca
Best mezcal in Oaxaca
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Mezcal is a bit part of Día de Muertos celebrations

15 | Enjoy local Oaxacan cuisine

And finally… you certainly won’t go hungry in Oaxaca during Día de Muertos! This state is known as the culinary epicentre of Mexico, with an incredible assortment of unique dishes that you won’t find in other parts of Mexico, as well as traditional fare prepared with Oaxacan flare. Here are some of my favourite restaurants in Oaxaca:

  • Las Quince Letras: THE place to go for incredible mole and other traditional Oaxacan food, regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city
  • Criollo: upscale eatery preparing local dishes with real culinary flare, a great place to try something unique
  • Los Danzantes: another long-time fave, this courtyard restaurant is always busy and the Oaxaca classics are always delicious
  • Sabina Sabe: best mezcal cocktails and elevated local cuisine in a trendy space
  • El Son Istmeño: festive courtyard restaurant in Jalatlaco; try the gorditas topped with queso Oaxaca and cochinita pibil
  • Las Animas: my favourite tlayudas, kind of like a thin crusted Mexican pizza or an open-faced, crunchy quesadilla
  • Marito&Moglie Cafe and Boulenc: you won’t find traditional food at either of these popular breakfast spots, but the ingredients are incredibly fresh and the settings are wonderful; no wonder these have been Oaxaca City favourites!
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Enmoladas, a traditional Oaxacan dish
Día de Muertos, Day of the Dead in Oaxaca
Gorditas topped with Queso Oaxaca

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brooke beyond

Hey, I'm Brooke and I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (joined by my life/climbing partner, James). Whether it’s road-tripping through Mexico, climbing alpine peaks in the Andes, scuba diving in the Red Sea, or tackling epic via ferrata in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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hi, I’m brooke!

I'm obsessed with getting off the beaten path, exploring backcountry gems & travelling beyond the ordinary! I left Australia 5 years ago after finishing a PhD in Biomechanics & have been travelling the world full-time ever since (now joined by my life/climbing partner, James). I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

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  • 2-week Patagonia itinerary: best of Torres del Paine & Los Glaciares/El Chaltén

    22 May 2025

@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • 2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
  • it’s another “if it wasn’t so stupid beautiful, I’d never set foot in this country again because it’s bleeding me dry” kinda summer 🇨🇭🌸☀️🏔️🦋✨

(hands up if you feel personally victimised by Swiss prices but you can’t stay away because MOUNTAINS 😭😭)
  • magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
  • BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
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.
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.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
  • This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
  • we’ve spent the last several weeks in Switzerland and, in many ways, I couldn’t have chosen a better destination for post-knee-surgery recovery— where else in the world can you get views like THIS with 1hr of easy hiking?!

I’m not sure I’ll ever truly prefer the accessibility of the Alps to true backcountry… but there’s no denying that I couldn’t be outside any other way right now and it’s given me a whole new appreciation for the hundreds of gondolas, funiculars, and trains that connect non-hikers or mobility-impaired enthusiasts like myself to otherwise unreachable heights!

I’m enormously grateful for the opportunity to rehab my knee under legendary peaks rather than fluorescent indoor lights, so THANK YOU Switzerland 😍
  • NICE MINI GUIDE 🇫🇷🌊✨

some of our favourite experiences from last month in this charming town on the French Riviera!

WHAT TO DO
☕️ stroll through Old Town: beautiful alleyways with charming shops + bars (pass by Palais du Justice, Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice, Église Sainte Rita for photos)
🏖️ Ruhl Plage: picturesque beach club with striped umbrellas + chairs (but the free beach immediately beside it works just as well for a quick dip!!)
🪴 Jardin Albert 1er: leafy park separating central Nice from the Old Town
📸 Colline du Château: elevated park on the headland with excellent views of the coastline
🚃 day trip to Eze + Monaco: both can be done in a single day with public transport or inexpensive Ubers!

WHERE TO EAT/DRINK
🧀 La Cave du Fromager: fondue/cheese restaurant located in a wine cellar in Old Nice, beautiful and amazing food!
🦆 La Route du Miam: intimate 6-table restaurant serving legendary duck— the menu is bascially 3 options, but the duck-fat potatoes are mind-blowing, the wine selection is excellent, and the owners are impossibly charismatic (expect to leave with multiple kisses)
🍨 Finoccio: local-fave ice creamery with endless flavours
☕️ La Claque: small cafe with excellent coffee, matcha, kombucha etc
🍷 La Treille Bar à Vin: natural wine + small plates with charming outdoor seating
🍸 Soho: trendy bar with a good value happy hour 5-8pm
  • paris on (fuji)film 🇫🇷🥐🧀✨

we’d originally planned to spend June climbing in the French + Swiss Alps… but after I had knee surgery at the end of April, we had to pivot to something a little more recovery-friendly.

so we changed our flights from Geneva to Paris and instead spent a couple weeks sipping cocktails, making croissants, wandering through charming galleries, catching up with some of our favourite humans, and racking up steps around the city in an effort to get me hiking-capable asap. 

not exactly the summits we’d planned, but time well-spent all the same 💛 #fujifilmx100vi
  • 2-WEEK KYUSHU ITINERARY ✨

the perfect active road trip for exploring Japan’s 3rd largest island!

Days 1-2: Fukuoka
-  pick up hire car
-  Momochi district
-  Nanzo-in reclining Buddha
-  Gion district temples
-  Fukuoka yatai
-  Itoshima coast + Keya No Oto hike

Days 3-4: Beppu
-  Jigoku Seven Hells
-  Mt Tsurumi or Mt Yufu hike
-  Himeji-jo Castle
-  stay at Kunisakisou & make use of private onsen

Days 5-6: Aso
- Mt Aso National Park (countless amazing hikes!)
- best restaurants: 阿蘇内牧カレー屋 BATH (katsu curry) + Meshi no Yamaichi (beef bowls with endless toppings)
- best onsen (tattoos ok for private bathing): Yunoyado Irifune + 阿蘇内牧音泉 湯楽

Day 7: Kumamoto
- Takachiho Gorge
- GorogoTaki Waterfall

Days 8-10: Kirishima
-  Mt Karakunidake (10km hike)
-  Mt Kaimondake (7km hike)
-  Sakurajima Nagisa Foot Bath (free 100m baths with view of volcano) + Sakurajima active volcano

Days 11-13: Yakushima (car ferry to island)
-  Anbo Trail to Jomon Sugi
-  Mt Miyanoura scramble
-  Seibu Rindo Forest Path scenic drive

Day 14: return to Fukuoka
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#fukuoka #kyushu #japan #roadtrip #beppu
#onsen #takachiho
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

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  • 2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
  • it’s another “if it wasn’t so stupid beautiful, I’d never set foot in this country again because it’s bleeding me dry” kinda summer 🇨🇭🌸☀️🏔️🦋✨

(hands up if you feel personally victimised by Swiss prices but you can’t stay away because MOUNTAINS 😭😭)
  • magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
  • BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
  • This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹

special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
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2 months after knee surgery and barely a week after I stopped walking with a knee brace and cane, I was honestly so proud to be able to do this (objectively very easy) 5km hike with 250m gain— it may not seem like much, but for me, this was a HUGE step forward 🥹 📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland it’s been an extremely challenging recovery, both physically and mentally… but the milestone moments always fill me with hope that things are indeed getting better ❤️‍🩹 special shoutout to my fiancé/hiking partner/personal cheering squad @slatojc for slowing down with me on the trail and always offering a hand down slippery rocks before I even have to ask
5 days ago
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1/5
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
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it’s another “if it wasn’t so stupid beautiful, I’d never set foot in this country again because it’s bleeding me dry” kinda summer 🇨🇭🌸☀️🏔️🦋✨ (hands up if you feel personally victimised by Swiss prices but you can’t stay away because MOUNTAINS 😭😭)
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨ . . . . #swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹

just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 

luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!!

so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge

💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!!

- Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away
- Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train)
- Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility 
- Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake
- Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms
- Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views
- Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail
.
.
.
.
.
#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
BEST EASY HIKES IN SWITZERLAND 🇨🇭❤️‍🩹 just 2 months after knee surgery, I found myself travelling through Switzerland— in search of easy hikes that were actually accessible post-op 🩼 luckily, there’s hardly a better place in the world for easy hiking than the Swiss Alps!! so whether you’re recovering from an injury, hiking with older parents/young children, or just a non-hiker who loves an epic view, this short list of HIGH VALUE viewpoints & hikes offer the most spectacular mountain scenery with minimal challenge 💸 BUDGET TIP: buy the Swiss Half Fare Card to save 50% all these gondolas and trains, which can seriously add up!! - Stoos Ridge: take the Stoosbahn to the little village of Stoos + walk about 15min to the chairlift that can take you all the way up to Fronalpstock— you can walk as little or as much as you want up here, the views are amazing right away - Riffelsee: take the Gornergrat Railway from Zermatt to Riffelsee + hike 20min to the 2 beautiful alpine lakes (then either hike 1hr up to Gornergrat or catch the train) - Saxer Lücke: catch a gondola + hike 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint— hardest on this list and not suitable for those with extremely limited mobility - Kleine Scheidegg: take the train or the gondola from Grindelwald + hike about 20min uphill to the lake - Jungfraujoch: from Kleine Scheidegg, take the gondola to Jungfraujoch + walk around the viewing platforms - Trockener Steg: take the gondola from Zermatt + walk 10min from the top of the cable car to the lake for incredible Matterhorn views - Oeschinensee: 20min walk from the top of the Kandersteg cable car to the lake (bus also available), then you can walk as little or as much as you want around the lake or on the famous Panorama Trail . . . . . #easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅

But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time)

Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails!

Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑 In 2023, a wicked snow storm blew through the night before my planned ascent and grounded all climbing parties… and then I had knee surgery less than 2 months before our repeat trip to Zermatt this year. I won’t lie, it’s been extremely disappointing to spend nearly 2 weeks in one of the most expensive places in the world, and STILL not do the thing I came here to do 😅 But alas, here we are in Zermatt again! (and apparently not for the last time) Even though we are slowly going bankrupt, it’s a gorgeous place to be in the summer with no shortage of amazing trails! Can’t wait to share some of what we’ve been up to— my first little hikes since surgery 🤩
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

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