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brooke beyond

Aus + NZ / Australia / Queensland

A guide to experiencing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef

January 13, 2017

Stretching 2,300km along Australia’s sunny east coast and comprised of more than 3,000 individual reefs, the Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and most impressive reef system, making it one of the absolute best places to visit on a trip Down Under. In addition to thousands of marine species who call the Great Barrier Reef home, many of which are only found here, this area is renowned for its incredible biodiversity and ecological complexity. For lovers of snorkelling or scuba diving, there are few places in the world that compare.

Sadly, Australian biologists have identified concerning declines in the health of the Great Barrier Reef, mostly due to coral bleaching caused by warmer sea temps and a starfish species that is literally eating away at the coral. If swimming among the sharks, turtles, and whales tops your bucket list (and it absolutely should), there really is no time like the present! Here’s everything you need to know about planning a trip to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, including what city to base yourself in, what activities you can do to experience the Reef, whether you should do a 1-day or multi-day liveaboard trip, what conditions to expect, and what to pack for the Great Barrier Reef.

What's in this travel guide

  • How to get there & where to stay
    • Cairns
    • Port Douglas
    • Hamilton Island
  • How to experience the Great Barrier Reef
    • Diving
    • Snorkelling
    • Cruising
  • What to bring for your trip

How to get there & where to stay

Given the incredible sprawl of the Great Barrier Reef, there are a number of different cities from which you can access coral reefs and vibrant marine life:

Cairns

This is the most popular place to stay for a trip out to the Great Barrier Reef, so there are heaps of tours and accomodation options available in Cairns to suit any budget. It’s also really easy to get here, as Cairns has its own major airport and is in close proximity to other popular Australian destinations, like the Daintree Rainforest.

Expect huge crowds of young, party-obsessed backpackers and a main beach that is too croc-infested for swimming. If you’re just looking for the best access point to the Reef, though, you can’t go wrong with Cairns.

How to get here: Most Australian cities have direct or one-stop flights into Queensland’s Cairns Airport. To get into Cairns after your flight, you can catch a $6 Airport Connect bus or split an inexpensive taxi with your travel companions (the airport is less than 10km from town).

Recommended tour: Without a doubt, the best company in Cairns is ProDive, a popular, widely-renowned company that certifies more divers than any other company in the world. I went on a 3-day liveaboard dive trip through ProDive that was out-of-this-world amazing, super reasonably priced (about $700 in July 2015), and probably one of the highlights of my life. My stepbrother also got dive-certified on the trip for an extra $150.

Recommended accommodation: Mad Monkey hostel offers inexpensive dorm beds ($30/night), comfy lounge areas, and a large communal kitchen. It is absolutely nothing fancy, but it’s right near the Esplanade and conveniently within walking distance to the supermarket.

Cairns Esplanade

Port Douglas

A nicer option than touristy, backpacker-filled Cairns is the charming, palm-filled town of Port Douglas. There are still a variety of companies operating tours out to the Reef, but the vibe is much more relaxed (think afternoons spent reading in a hammock) and the town itself is much prettier. Plus, I especially like diving from Port Douglas because most tours will visit the Agincourt Reef, an amazing spot on the Outer GBR that is really popular with Minke whales. One swam up to our boat when I was in the water and I got so excited that I cried.

How to get here: Fly into the Cairns airport and either hire a car or take an inexpensive shuttle ($36AUD) 1hr north to Port Douglas.

Recommended tour: When I went diving from Port Douglas, I went with on a full day tour diving tour with Poseidon Cruises and had an incredible time. Expect to pay upwards of $300 for two dives.

Recommended accommodation: Tropical Nites has beautiful little self-contained townhouses (about $150/night) with access to a nice pool and within walking distance of everything in town.

Amazing scenery in Port Douglas

Hamilton Island

The Whitsundays are widely regarded as one of the most beautiful places in all of Australia, so it’s an added bonus that you can also access the Great Barrier Reef from these powder-white shores. Hamilton Island is one of the larger Whitsunday Islands (and the only one with a commercial airport), which makes it a great place to base yourself while you explore the reef and other secluded beaches in the region, but it’s also a more upscale destination than either Port Douglas or Cairns. Expect to pay a lot more here, for accomodation, tours to the Reef, and even flights.

How to get here: Hamilton Island has a tiny regional airport with direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Cairns operated by Jetstar and Qantas.

Recommended tour: Explore the Great Barrier Reef from Hamilton on either a snorkelling or diving tour.

Recommended accommodation: Whitsunday Apartments have wonderful, fully-equipped apartments with stunning views over Hamilton Island (photo below). Save money by cooking breakfasts and lunches in your apartment, but be sure to check out some of the great restaurants on the island, too!

The view from our balcony at Whitsunday Apartments

Paradise in the Whitsundays

How to experience the Great Barrier Reef

Diving

I would go so far as to say that you can’t really get the full experience of the Great Barrier Reef without diving. Never scuba’d before? It doesn’t matter, you can actually dive without certification and that’s what I did on my first trip to the Reef in 2013. They class it as “introductory diving”, which means that they’ll run you through all the equipment and you’ll dive as a group with an instructor who watches you pretty closely. Some certified divers still dove with a group on my 2015 trip, but us Advanced Certified divers were turned loose into the ocean with a compass and a dive buddy. Dive virgin or expert, it doesn’t matter— everyone can dive the Great Barrier Reef!

If you are interested in diving the Reef, you’ll have to choose between a day trip and a multi-day trip. Most day trips (like this one I did through Poseidon in Port Douglas) will offer 1, 2, or 3 dives, and you’ll snorkel for any of the times you aren’t diving (i.e. buy 1 dive, snorkel twice; buy 3 dives, don’t snorkel at all), but it takes 2 hours to get to the Outer Reef, so there isn’t time for much more. This might be plenty for you.

If you want more dive opportunities, though, you should really go on a live-aboard trip. I would recommend a 3-day trip like this one I did through ProDive in Cairns. You get to do 11 dives, including 2 night dives, and that is more than enough for 3 days (you’ll feel like a water-logged raisin by the 11th dive, but in a good way). You get fed awesome food, get to visit way more dive sites, and it’s surprisingly not that expensive. I paid around $700 for a double room and my stepbrother paid $900 for a single AND a full dive certification course while we were on the boat. Considering that it’s 2 nights of accommodation, 3 days of food, and 11 dives (and I paid almost $300 for 2 dives and lunch on a 1-day trip), it’s a real steal and the best way to pack in maximum diving around the Great Barrier Reef.

Diving with sea turtles
Diving with sea turtles
Giving this beautiful sea turtle some personal space
Giving this beautiful sea turtle some personal space

Snorkelling

Snorkelling is still an awesome way to see the Great Barrier Reef, and much cheaper than diving, but you’ll definitely have limited visibility of the coral at deeper sites. Most dive tours will take both divers and snorkelers and travel to 2-3 different sites on the Outer Reef. This is great if you want to dive and your partner wants to snorkel, but it also means that you might be at a top dive site that’s only a mediocre snorkel spot. If you only want to snorkel the Great Barrier Reef, just be sure to ask tour companies about the sites they visit and if they’re optimal for both snorkellers and divers.

Shallow section of the Great Barrier Reef

Cruising

I don’t personally believe that staying on a boat all day is a way to experience the Great Barrier Reef (because the reef is underwater), but it’s an option if you’ve already done your diving or snorkelling. There are some really nice companies that will take you on boat trips around the Great Barrier Reef and out to beaches in the Whitsundays (I’d highly recommend Whitehaven Beach). There are even glass-bottom boats, but it’s pretty gimmicky and, if you really want to see under the water, you should physically get into the water!

Cruising around the Whitsundays

What to bring for your trip

This is not a comprehensive packing list, but here are some essentials that you should throw into your backpack before heading out to the Great Barrier Reef:

  • Swimsuit, obviously. Most companies will provide wetsuits for you.
  • Mask: not necessary, because they will give you masks, but some people have a hard time fitting their face to a mask and it means you’ll spend 90% of your time underwater trying to clear your mask so you can see. I have this issue, so I took advantage of the 15% discount most companies offer their tour groups on their dive shop and bought my own mask before my liveaboard trip. Expect to pay $100-$150 for a good one, but if you dive or snorkel often, it’s so worth it.
  • Sea sickness medication: I don’t care if you think you never get seasick, you will get seasick on this trip. It’s upwards of 2 hours to the Outer Reef and it’s pretty bumpy. If that’s not enough to get you, everyone else is vomiting on the deck and the smell will do it. I didn’t take anything for my first trip and was miserable for 2 hours, not an ideal way to start my dive, so I brought meds on the second trip and was so, so much happier. Just get something from any chemist on land before you leave.
  • Towel: Don’t forget this, because you will be freezing when you come out of the water. It’s hot in northern QLD, but the water isn’t any warmer than usual.
  • Sunscreen: The sun is harsher in Australia, so you get burned heaps faster here. And so much more aggressively. If you have the backs of your pasty little thighs on the surface of the water while you’re snorkelling, they will be maroon after an hour.
  • Underwater camera: I didn’t have a GoPro when I went on my first dive trip and I ended up swimming next to a giant whale— I will eternally regret my lack of photos. Don’t share in my regret.
  • Notebook/Log Book: Even if this is your first ever time diving, you should log all of your dives. You can see on the PADI website what information to include.
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brooke brisbine

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics, teaching at a university & securing permanent residency in Australia. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing 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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The Comments

  • A Guide to relaxing on Hamilton Island in the Whitsundays – brooke around town
    September 29, 2017

    […] Another must-do is to visit the Great Barrier Reef, which is easily accessible from the island! Not only is the Reef one of the most amazing places in the entire world, no trip to Australia is complete without it. I actually wrote a whole blog post dedicated to the ins and outs of visiting the Reef: what activities you can do there, how long of a trip to take, what companies to go with, etc. Read that post here! […]

    Reply
  • Moving to Australia (part ix): Travelling around Australia – brooke around town
    September 19, 2017

    […] I’m really jazzed to share just a few of the places that make this sunburnt country so unique and enchanting, and make me never ever want to leave (I’m so not alone in this, speak to anyone who’s ever visited). I’ve written out travel tips and a couple sample itineraries that link out to more photos on older blog posts. Also read my more detailed travel guides on what to see & do in Sydney, The Illawarra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, The Whitsundays, and how to experience the Great Barrier Reef. […]

    Reply

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hi, I’m brooke!

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing 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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recent posts

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@brookebeyond_
BB ON INSTAGRAM

@brookebeyond_

  • happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
  • july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
  • 3 moody saunas to visit in southern Norway 🧖🏽‍♀️🔥 

I just spent a fantastic week sauna-hopping my way through Norway, and even with all the moody weather, it was an incredible showcase of the misty fjords & the perfect opportunity to appreciate the simple pleasures of a wood fire. A few faves ↯

📍Soria Moria, Dalen
⭐️ best for: luxury sauna experience with an incredible view of the canals
💸 300NOK for 2hrs of private sauna use (up to 5 people)
 🛌  spend an elegant night at the historic @dalenhotel 

📍Sauna Vebekkdalen, Seljord
⭐️ best for: complete seclusion on the lake, an entire day of sauna & swimming with space to picnic
💸 450NOK for 24hrs of private sauna use
🛏️ stay nearby at the cutest Norwegian hytte (see my full blog post for a link to the airbnb)

📍KOK, Oslo
⭐️ best for: a sauna experience right in the city, the perfect rainy (or sunny) day activity in Oslo!
💸 from 1990NOK for 2hrs of private sauna use (up to 10 people) or 240NOK per person in the communal sauna
 🛏️ all the best parts of a hotel combined with the perks of local living in Oslo @bobwco
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@visitseljord #visittelemark #visitnorway #mynorway #soriamoriasauna #dalenhotel #oslo #visitseljord #sleepwithbobw #sauna #saunatime #saunalife
  • THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
  • The reality of life on the road is that I spend more time thinking about leaving than I ever do about staying. Blessed or plagued or perhaps some combination of the both with a wild spirit that seems only settled in the most uncertain of circumstances, I find myself alight in chaos & drawn inexplicably to something new.

Change has been the only constant in my life for a long time now and I’ve gotten really good at ~leaving~, at dreaming about the next thing, at always moving forward, at staring out the plane window & wondering who I’ll get to be tomorrow. 

I never really know. I’ve been one million versions of myself, a product of the places I breathe & the people who wash over me & the winds that carry always new opportunities to me on a road where I can only see the moments & never the years that stretch ahead. 

In the next life, I wonder if I’ll know what it feels like to stay. For now, I pander to the whims of my restless heart. Take me anywhere.
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#travelgirl #anywhere #travelreels #restlessheart #travelgram
  • Sizzling in our own private sauna boat right in the middle of the Oslofjord & life is good 🔥🔥

@kokoslo.no 
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#visitnorway #mynorway #sauna #saunaboat #saunatime #saunalife #oslo #oslooperahouse #oslofjorden #oslofjord
  • no one does moody summer days quite like Norway 🌙 

📍 Sauna Vebekkdalen @visitseljord 
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#visittelemark #visitnorway #mynorway #visitseljord #sauna #saunatime #saunalife #norway
  • Last week, I got a major upgrade from my typical hostel dorms & budget backpacker digs at the historic @DalenHotel in Telemark, Norway!

I planned to visit for access to Lårdalstigen, an epic clifftop hike overlooking the Telemark Canal, but I ended up finding so much more to love about the Dalen, from lakefront saunas to fireside drinks to 130yrs of history.

the perfect 3-day/2-night itinerary ↯

DAY 1
⛴️ arrive to Dalen on a 4hr canal cruise aboard the iconic M/S Henrik Ibsen
🫖 afternoon tea overlooking the gardens
🍷 fireside drinks & chess with live piano

DAY 2
⛴️ boat ride up the canal to Lårdal, brekky on board
🥾 hike Lårdalstigen for incredible clifftop views (6hrs)
🧖🏽‍♀️ luxurious sauna experience at the Soria Moria
🍜 phenomenal 4-course dinner at Restaurant Bandak 

DAY 3
🍳 beautiful breakfast at Restaurant Bandak 
🥾 climb the 810 steps to RUI
~ return to Oslo
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#dalenhotel #visittelemark #visitnorway #dehistoriske #thehistorical #HistoricCharm #mynorway #fairytalestay #norwegianhospitality #finedining #restaurantbandak #luxuryhotelinnorway #MagicalEscapes #hikinginorway #travelbackintime #soriamoriasauna #historicalhospitality
  • the perfect rainy day in Norway @dalenhotel 🔥
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

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

all destinations

  • happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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.
.
.
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
  • july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
.
.
.
.
.
#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
  • 3 moody saunas to visit in southern Norway 🧖🏽‍♀️🔥 

I just spent a fantastic week sauna-hopping my way through Norway, and even with all the moody weather, it was an incredible showcase of the misty fjords & the perfect opportunity to appreciate the simple pleasures of a wood fire. A few faves ↯

📍Soria Moria, Dalen
⭐️ best for: luxury sauna experience with an incredible view of the canals
💸 300NOK for 2hrs of private sauna use (up to 5 people)
 🛌  spend an elegant night at the historic @dalenhotel 

📍Sauna Vebekkdalen, Seljord
⭐️ best for: complete seclusion on the lake, an entire day of sauna & swimming with space to picnic
💸 450NOK for 24hrs of private sauna use
🛏️ stay nearby at the cutest Norwegian hytte (see my full blog post for a link to the airbnb)

📍KOK, Oslo
⭐️ best for: a sauna experience right in the city, the perfect rainy (or sunny) day activity in Oslo!
💸 from 1990NOK for 2hrs of private sauna use (up to 10 people) or 240NOK per person in the communal sauna
 🛏️ all the best parts of a hotel combined with the perks of local living in Oslo @bobwco
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
@visitseljord #visittelemark #visitnorway #mynorway #soriamoriasauna #dalenhotel #oslo #visitseljord #sleepwithbobw #sauna #saunatime #saunalife
  • THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
  • The reality of life on the road is that I spend more time thinking about leaving than I ever do about staying. Blessed or plagued or perhaps some combination of the both with a wild spirit that seems only settled in the most uncertain of circumstances, I find myself alight in chaos & drawn inexplicably to something new.

Change has been the only constant in my life for a long time now and I’ve gotten really good at ~leaving~, at dreaming about the next thing, at always moving forward, at staring out the plane window & wondering who I’ll get to be tomorrow. 

I never really know. I’ve been one million versions of myself, a product of the places I breathe & the people who wash over me & the winds that carry always new opportunities to me on a road where I can only see the moments & never the years that stretch ahead. 

In the next life, I wonder if I’ll know what it feels like to stay. For now, I pander to the whims of my restless heart. Take me anywhere.
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#travelgirl #anywhere #travelreels #restlessheart #travelgram
happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!!
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
happiest when I’m climbing on top of things & this golden mountain in Iceland was screaming out CLIMB ME!! . . . . . . . #laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
1 day ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧

I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… 

I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :)

memorable moments:
☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps
🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine!
🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge
🥾 hiking the Haute Route 
🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen)
🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon!
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#travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
july phone photo dump 🇫🇷🇹🇷🇨🇭🇱🇧 I am perpetually behind on sharing photos & stories, a product of travelling literally all the time & forever opting to ‘go explore’ instead of catching up on my mountain of unedited photos & half-written posts on the computer… I decided several months ago that I wanted to share a monthly highlights post & include more of the ‘unedited’ iPhone-camera moments that don’t usually make it onto my feed. I even wrote this list… and then got too busy to share. So, here’s a little look back at July and HOPEFULLY the first of many monthly highlight posts :) memorable moments: ☀️ sunny week of climbing in the French Alps 🏔️ solo climbing Mont Blanc, a major dream of mine! 🇹🇷 flying business class to Istanbul & going bananas in the lounge 🥾 hiking the Haute Route 🇨🇭 co-working with @maeve.desay & @ajwilrad in Zermatt while waiting for a weather window to climb the Matterhorn (which did not happen) 🇱🇧 ending the month in a new country, Lebanon! . . . . . #travel #travelgirl #photodump #frenchalps #hauteroute #lebanon #fulltimetravel #traveltheworld
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
3 moody saunas to visit in southern Norway 🧖🏽‍♀️🔥 I just spent a fantastic week sauna-hopping my way through Norway, and even with all the moody weather, it was an incredible showcase of the misty fjords & the perfect opportunity to appreciate the simple pleasures of a wood fire. A few faves ↯ 📍Soria Moria, Dalen ⭐️ best for: luxury sauna experience with an incredible view of the canals 💸 300NOK for 2hrs of private sauna use (up to 5 people) 🛌 spend an elegant night at the historic @dalenhotel 📍Sauna Vebekkdalen, Seljord ⭐️ best for: complete seclusion on the lake, an entire day of sauna & swimming with space to picnic 💸 450NOK for 24hrs of private sauna use 🛏️ stay nearby at the cutest Norwegian hytte (see my full blog post for a link to the airbnb) 📍KOK, Oslo ⭐️ best for: a sauna experience right in the city, the perfect rainy (or sunny) day activity in Oslo! 💸 from 1990NOK for 2hrs of private sauna use (up to 10 people) or 240NOK per person in the communal sauna 🛏️ all the best parts of a hotel combined with the perks of local living in Oslo @bobwco . . . . . . . . @visitseljord #visittelemark #visitnorway #mynorway #soriamoriasauna #dalenhotel #oslo #visitseljord #sleepwithbobw #sauna #saunatime #saunalife
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
.
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.
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.
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.
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐

Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack.

On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. 

The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). 

For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. 

After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻
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#laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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THE LAUGAVEGUR TRAIL, an incredible journey through the wild & wonderful Icelandic Highlands 🤩☄️🪐 Although I tend to favour demanding backcountry treks, the Laugavegur is remarkable for an entirely different reason— at 56km & less than 2000m of elevation gain across the entire route, it’s a hike suited to just about anyone, with well-placed huts providing indoor accommodation options & the ability to carry a light pack. On any other route, those stats might equate to boredom for avid hikers, but with the kaleidoscope of folded hills & geysers & steam vents & volcanic valleys & surging rivers than central Iceland holds, it actually just means more time to run around & ENJOY. The true joy of a 12km day isn’t arriving into camp at midday, it’s the freedom to spend hours running up an interesting looking mountain off the side of the trail or to clamber all the way down to the edge of the canyon or to skinny-dip in a glacier lake (all cleared with the ranger, of course). For 4 sweet days, we delighted in being the last ones to arrive to camp every night, dispersing our limitless hours across the landscape in search of ever-better vantage points & time-consuming photo ops. After a long summer of running between a dozen countries, tackling long hiking routes, and climbing at elevation, it was such a treat to meander through Iceland with little more than a few hours of walking on each day’s agenda but an entire universe to explore between Landmannalaugar and Þórsmörk… All photos taken off-route while making absolutely zero progress from Point A to Point B, just how we like it 💃🏻🕺🏻 . . . . . . . . #laugavegur #laugavegurtrail #iceland #icelandtrip #icelandnature #hikersofinstagram #hikerbabes #hikergirl #landmannalaugar #icelandtravel #icelandadventure
4 days ago
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4/5
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
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The reality of life on the road is that I spend more time thinking about leaving than I ever do about staying. Blessed or plagued or perhaps some combination of the both with a wild spirit that seems only settled in the most uncertain of circumstances, I find myself alight in chaos & drawn inexplicably to something new. Change has been the only constant in my life for a long time now and I’ve gotten really good at ~leaving~, at dreaming about the next thing, at always moving forward, at staring out the plane window & wondering who I’ll get to be tomorrow. I never really know. I’ve been one million versions of myself, a product of the places I breathe & the people who wash over me & the winds that carry always new opportunities to me on a road where I can only see the moments & never the years that stretch ahead. In the next life, I wonder if I’ll know what it feels like to stay. For now, I pander to the whims of my restless heart. Take me anywhere. . . . . #travelgirl #anywhere #travelreels #restlessheart #travelgram
1 week ago
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5/5

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