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brooke beyond

Aus + NZ / Australia / New South Wales

Hiking the Royal National Park’s Coast Track in 1 day

1 May 2017

This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

Last Updated on 23 May 2025

This weekend, I finally set out to walk the amazing Coast Track from Otford to Bundeena, which has been something I’ve wanted to do for years now. And I’m happy to report that it did not disappoint! We had amazing weather all day and managed to tackle the 32km walk in about 10 hours (including a relaxing lunch break and an hour of swimming at Little Marley Beach). All in all, it was a swinging success and I can’t wait to do it again as a two-day hike.

The Coast Track runs for 26km along the coast of the Royal National Park between Sydney and Wollongong and showcases the best of the NP, all in one hike. I would even go so far as to say that this walk is one of the best in all of NSW, and we have heaps of fabulous walks, so that’s really saying something. The trail starts in Otford, roughly 1km from the train station, and finishes in Bundeena, about 2km from the ferry wharf, although I think the walk is more popular in the reverse direction if you’re coming from Sydney.

I roped my lovely friend Ben into doing the hike with me this weekend, so we sat down on Thursday to plan what was going to be a two-day backpacking trip. Unfortunately, North Era, the main campground along the walk, was fully booked, so we quickly adjusted to a one-day plan. A big day, definitely, but totally doable.




On the day, I wake up at 530am (which is about 3 hours earlier than I’ve ever woken up in my life) and pick Ben up at his house just after 6am. The drive up to Otford is about 35 minutes, but I obviously have to make several stops to take photos of the sunrise (I could count the number of sunrises I’ve seen on one hand, so it was an exciting time for me). We pull into Otford station at 7am and quickly take off walking to the trailhead, which is actually the steepest part of the entire hike.

Over the next two hours, we walk through beautiful forest trails that offer peeping views of the coastline and eventually pass through an incredible rainforest called the Palm Jungle. I take lots of photos of Black Boys along the way to show Cal, who absolutely loves them (they are plants, I’m not actually photographing ethnic children, just fyi).




We scamper down off the track to poke around Burning Palms Beach, but don’t go all the way around to the Figure 8 Pools in an attempt to avoid the temptation to spend the whole day swimming. Back up on the trail, we take a mistaken detour up an incredibly steep path that turns out to be Burgh Ridge Track. The whole ordeal costs us about 45 minutes and 3km, but we are soon back on track and motoring along on the correct path.

Around 8km in, we pass North Era Campground, which is in the most beautiful spot just off Era Beach. It’s incredibly secluded since it’s only accessible by hiking in, and the beach is shared only with a few tiny cabins dotting the hills above North and South Era. I definitely hope to come back and do the walk again so I can stay in this beautiful spot. Although, it is really nice to be wearing a light daypack today..




After passing the campground, we have a relatively steep climb up onto Thelma Head, but it’s totally worth it for the views over North Era Beach. Already, I am loving this hike so much.

We descend the headland on the other side to walk along Garie Beach, where I tried to surf years ago and lost my swim bottoms in one of the most embarrassing moments of my life. Not saying that this trauma is the only thing standing in between me and a career as a professional surfer, but I’m also not saying that it’s not. We will never know.

Incredibly randomly, we walk right by Ben’s uncle who’s just come out of the surf, so we stop for a bit of a chat before continuing on to the half-way point at Eagle Rock for our much-needed lunch break. We enjoy an hour of relaxing in the sun with our sandwiches and are feeling recharged for the second half of the hike.




We are going strong through Curracurrang Cove, but start to wilt by the time we reach Wattamolla, which marks the 17km point. We’ve really done more like 23km, given both our intentional and mistaken detours, so I’m really starting to feel it in my ankles. I am definitely regretting the decision to wear runners instead of hiking
boots, having foolishly chosen the lightweight option over stability. A mistake I will not be making again.

We aim to make it to Little Marley Beach by 3pm so we can enjoy a swim break, and this requires us to keep a fairly aggressive pace despite the fact that my ankles are feeling like jelly. Morale is definitely low as we reach the beach, but the ocean instantly makes everything better. It feels so good to be out of my shoes and into the freezing water. The pain in my feet is a distant memory.



After our swim, we dry off in the sun and then get back into our sandy clothes to finish the last 6km of this hike, but we leave our shoes off for about 20 minutes as we walk across Marley Beach. Even more than at the start of the hike, I’m half jogging to keep up with Ben, whose legs are easily twice as long as mine, but it’s ok because I’m super eager to finish the hike before I collapse from exhaustion.

Our last major milestone before the end of the trail is Wedding Cake Rock, where we hop the fence and I force Ben to take the classic tourist photo of me. He’s fuming at all the international tourists who are leaving rubbish around and just generally doing idiotic things (like hanging off the sandstone rock, so soon after someone died doing that exact thing…), so we quickly leave after I get my photo.


On the home stretch, some girls overhear us saying that we are tired and strike up a conversation about our hike. They are both Sydneysiders who’ve come down to do the 45 minute walk to Wedding Cake Rock, so they are shocked to hear that we’ve been walking since 7am.

When our plans to get a lift from Ben’s cousin from Bundeena back to our car in Otford fall through, we ask the girls to give us a lift to Sutherland train station on their way home, which saves us the 2km walk to the ferry and the train ride from Cronulla to Sutherland. Thank goodness we get a lift, because no way am I walking another step, let alone 2km.

Once in Sutherland, though, we look up the train schedule and learn that the next train to Otford isn’t for almost 2 hours. We are both dying to get home and rest, so we are pretty miffed about the situation. Thankfully, Cal has been working in Sydney and is able to pick us up on his way through in about an hour’s time, so we go eat Indian for dinner and discuss our incredible day while we wait.

Finally, Cal delivers us back to Otford station around 7pm and we drive home. It’s been the most amazing hike, but I am so exhausted that all I want to do is get home and pass out. But definitely not before a hot shower.

Despite the exhaustion, I am so pleased with the whole adventure and feel really accomplished that we were able to tackle 32km in one day, definitely the longest hike I’ve ever done in a single day. The fact that we were able to do this is certainly making me feel a bit more confident about my upcoming 11-day, 180km trek around Mont Blanc. A few more training days probably wouldn’t hurt, but we did it!

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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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The Comments

  • Seamus
    3 January 2021

    Hi Brooke,

    This is a beautiful looking, and beautifully written blog you’ve put together, very helpful in planning some my future hikes. You could definitely have a YouTube channel with all these adventures, perhaps you already have? Anyways good luck with your future adventures and a Happy New Year.

    Seamus.

    Reply
    • brooke brisbine
      Seamus
      20 January 2021

      Hi Seamus, thank you so much for the thoughtful comment!

      I actually do not have a Youtube channel, I’ve been overwhelmed by the thought of making videos (since photos and writing this blog already take soooo much time), but I’m sure I will eventually get into it now that I’m travelling full-time 🙂

      Stay tuned and happy trails!
      -Brooke

      Reply
  • Best of the Illawarra: hiking in Wollongong – brooke around town
    24 September 2017

    […] Obviously one of the most notable hikes in the Wollongong area is the 32km and 10 hour slog from Otford to Bundeena through the Royal National Park. It’s a reasonably graded trail with unbelievable coastal views, doable as either a long day hike or a two day hike, camping overnight at North Era Campground. Read more about my recent Coast Track hike here. […]

    Reply
  • The best of the Illawarra part II: Royal National Park – brooke around town
    24 September 2017

    […] […]

    Reply
  • Exploring Wollongong & the Illawarra – brooke around town
    24 September 2017

    […] […]

    Reply
  • Sydney Hit List: What to see & do on your trip Down Under – brooke around town
    24 September 2017

    […] 12.  Trek along the Coastal Track in Royal National Park, just south of Sydney. The track is about 32km, so can be done either as a big day or as a two-day trip (camping at North Era in between). The hike is also easily accessible by public transport! If you’re coming from Sydney, take the train to Cronulla, take the short ferry to Bundeena, and walk 2km to the trailhead. You’ll finish the hike about 1km from Otford train station, where you can catch a train all the way back to Sydney. Read about my recent hike along the Coastal Track (1 day, woohoo). […]

    Reply
  • Hiking my way through April – Brooke Around Town
    18 June 2017

    […] Obviously the most exciting accomplishment of my month was completing the Coastal Walk from Otford to Bundeena in the Royal National Park, since I’ve been wanting to do this trail for eons now and I finally caught Ben on a weekend off work so we could tackle it together in a day. 32km and 10 hours later, I was feeling pretty beat, but nonetheless proud– the scenery made all the pain worth it. Read more about our hike here. […]

    Reply

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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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brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
  • NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
  • We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
  • absolutely one of the most amazing little hikes we did in Switzerlnad this summer (& the competition was stiff) 🤩🏔️🌞🌸

📍Saxer Lücke

GETTING THERE: catch the Frümsen gondola to Staubernkanzel

HIKE: 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint

WHEN TO GO: the best lighting is in the afternoon, these photos were taken around 4pm and it just kept getting better!
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#swissalps #switzerland #saxerlücke #swisssummer #alpstein
  • the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
  • 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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#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

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

all destinations

  • magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
.
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
  • NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
  • We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
  • absolutely one of the most amazing little hikes we did in Switzerlnad this summer (& the competition was stiff) 🤩🏔️🌞🌸

📍Saxer Lücke

GETTING THERE: catch the Frümsen gondola to Staubernkanzel

HIKE: 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint

WHEN TO GO: the best lighting is in the afternoon, these photos were taken around 4pm and it just kept getting better!
.
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #saxerlücke #swisssummer #alpstein
  • the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
.
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
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.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
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.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
.
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
.
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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.
.
.
.
#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺
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#swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
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magical moments in the swiss alps 🐄🇨🇭🧀🫐🌺 . . . . . #swissalps #switzerland #matterhorn #zermatt #oeschinensee #lucerne #jungfraujoch #grindelwald #swisssummer
2 days ago
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NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!!

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️

And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!!

Available maps:
🇮🇹 Alta Via 2
🇮🇹 Alta Via 4
🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit
🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit
🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit
🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail
🇨🇱 O-Circuit
🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop
+ more coming soon!

These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! 

They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️

✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨

ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
NEW CUSTOM GPS MAPS!! ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ Before every single backpacking trip, hut-to-hut & alpine expedition, I spend dozens of hours on @caltopo building a GPS track to help me navigate along the route confidently, especially when venturing off the standard trail (which I nearly always do) 🗺️ And after MANY requests to share my custom routes, I now have 8 super detailed JSON/GPX files that you can use to plan your own epic adventure off the beaten path— navigating right off your smartphone!!! Available maps: 🇮🇹 Alta Via 2 🇮🇹 Alta Via 4 🇫🇷 Mont Blanc Summit 🇵🇪 Huayhuash Circuit 🇦🇷 Aconcagua Summit 🇺🇸 Teton Crest Trail 🇨🇱 O-Circuit 🇦🇷 Fitz Roy Loop + more coming soon! These maps include detailed route beta with hundreds of waypoints, essential trail stats, alternatives & bailouts, side-trips & summits, all based on my adventurous modifications to these amazing routes! They’ve been heavily tested by friends & readers, and I’m confident you won’t find another resource like them 🗺️ ✨ shop.brookebeyond.com ✨ ps. If you’ve bought one of my maps this summer (AV2 + AV4 have been SO popular!), I’d love to hear from you!!
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼

(#8 might just be my personal fave 😂)

ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
We took our own engagement photos in the Swiss Alps this summer and here’s how it went 👉🏼 (#8 might just be my personal fave 😂) ALSO this post is for anyone who’s gotten the (woefully mistaken) impression that I am “naturally photogenic”
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
absolutely one of the most amazing little hikes we did in Switzerlnad this summer (& the competition was stiff) 🤩🏔️🌞🌸 📍Saxer Lücke GETTING THERE: catch the Frümsen gondola to Staubernkanzel HIKE: 1hr (2.5km, 250m gain) to this amazing viewpoint WHEN TO GO: the best lighting is in the afternoon, these photos were taken around 4pm and it just kept getting better! . . . . . #swissalps #switzerland #saxerlücke #swisssummer #alpstein
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨

For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. 

The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️

🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT
- purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station

🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
- tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way
- the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views!
- when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD)
- save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 

🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT
- the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill)
- the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections
- near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit!
- as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face
- almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
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the BEST easy hike in Zermatt 🏔️🥾✨ For spectacular views of the Matterhorn, the enormous Monte Rosa massif, and the Gorner Glacier (as well as 29 peaks over 4,000m!), there’s no better EASY hike than Riffelberg to Gornergrat, accessible via the Gornergrat Railway in Zermatt. The hike only takes about 2hrs at a leisurely pace (I did it 7 weeks after knee surgery!), so it’s suitable for families and non-hikers with even a basic level of fitness 🏃🏻‍♀️ 🇨🇭 START FROM ZERMATT - purchase tickets (day-of is fine) from Gornergrat Railway, right across from Zermatt train station 🚞 GORNERGRAT RAILWAY - tickets from Zermatt to Riffelberg cost 42CHF ($50USD)— there’s no discount for return, so keep it flexible by purchasing one-way - the train takes the about 25min, sit on the right side for best views! - when you finish the hike at Gornergrat, buy a one-way ticket back to Zermatt for 66CHF ($80USD) - save 50% on tickets with the Swiss Half Fare Card— the pass costs 120CHF ($150USD) and lasts for a whole month, it’s almost always worth it!) 🥾 HIKE DETAILS: RIFFELSEE TO GORNERGRAT - the route is 5km with 560m elevation gain (entirely uphill) - the best views of the Matterhorn are around Riffelsee, where several small lakes offer perfect reflections - near Rotenboden (the train station in between Riffelberg & Gornergrat), there are excellent rocky viewpoints of both Matterhorn and Monta Rosa— it’s easy to find quiet views if you hike around a bit! - as you get closer to Gornergrat, Monte Rosa and the Gorner Glacier are right in your face - almost everyone does this hike in reverse (Gornergrat to Riffelberg), I just personally hate hiking downhill— but you can swap if you’d rather descend the entire way!
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