• start here
  • about
  • group trips
  • brooke beyond

  • hiking guides
  • outdoor gear
    • hiking boots
    • hiking backpacks
    • cold-weather layers
    • backpacking tent
    • outdoor sleep system
    • backcountry food
    • day-hike packing list
    • hut-to-hut packing list
    • via ferrata packing list
    • backpacking packing list
    • mountaineering packing list

brooke beyond

Chile / Latin America

Hiking ‘The W’ in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

19 January 2015

This content has been archived.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

Last Updated on 23 May 2025

Sometime during our weeks spent volunteering in Peru, we caught wind of Patagonia. I knew hardly anything about what we would find in southern Chile, but I did know there would be mountains beautiful enough to reduce us to tears, so we shuffled existing plans and purchased pricey flights to the end of the world in search of some Patagonian magic.

A month later, after travelling through Peru, Bolivia, and northern Chile, we fly from Santiago down to Punta Arenas where we spend a surprisingly comfortable night at the airport on a make-shift bed of blankets and towels, nestled between our bags. We are just excited to be here.

In the morning, we catch a bus into the main town and then another bus to Puerto Natales, which is to be our base for the hike into Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. After dropping the bags in our hostel, we quickly set out to rent gear– a simple task considering every third shop is selling hiking boots,
booking tours, and (of course) renting out camping equipment. We carefully inspect sleeping bags, a tent, inflatable air matresses, a camp stove, and mess kit, spend five minutes teaching the owner to pronounce the word “inflatable”, and then scurry off to the supermercado to pick out an exciting variety of pouch soups and pasta sauces (also in pouches).

Despite concern about fitting even our scarce selection into our packs, we stock up on several boxes of Gato, the local red wine of choice. We also splurge last minute on some cheese, which ends up being the highlight of every meal.

Day 1

The next morning, we set off on a bus into the national park, pay our entrance fee, and catch the catamaran across Lago Pehoe to reach Campamento Paine Grande, the start of our trek.


Thankfully, since we don’t actually arrive until about 2pm, I’ve mapped out a short first day for us: 11km to Camp Grey. We are not used to our packs being so weighed down with camping gear and hike slowly as we try to find our rhythm.

The hike is through a beautiful forrest (a large section of which has been burnt to a crisp by an idiotic hiker) and opens up about half way along to a series of small peaks from which we start to catch glimpses of the reason for our visit to this section of the trail: Glacier Grey. It really is “the bluest grey ever”, just as a poster claimed back in the park office. We hardly gain any distance, stopping every few minutes to photograph the glacier from different angles. The mirador is another half hour beyond the camp, but we decide, due to serious hunger, to just set up at camp for the night and visit the glacier in the morning.



Presumably due to the massive forrest fire set a few years ago, we are now permitted to use our camp stoves only in a designated enclosure. The result is no wind disrupting the flame and a deliciously cozy meal area, so I really can’t complain. Spiral pasta with salsa italiano and parmesan, soon to be a recurring theme, are on the menu tonight, plus some boxed Gato. Sleep is difficult, considering the sun doesn’t set until 11pm, so we play cards until we can manage to drift off. This is the only night we have difficulty sleeping; exhaustion works wonders to block out the glare of the sun.

Day 2

Somehow, we manage to sleep until almost 10am and get another incredibly late start at hiking. After breakfast, we trek out to see more views of the glacier from the mirador and spend several hours scrambling along rocks to get closer, eventually just sitting and appreciating what an incredible sight ice can be. It’s late afternoon before we are back to Camp Grey and ready to start moving along the trail again.

“The W” hike is so-named because of the path it follows through the park, which means it features three different sections of backtracking. Yesterday, we hiked out to Camp Grey to view the glacier, only to turn around today and walk back to Camp Paine Grande, our starting point.




It was the original plan to cover that distance plus another 7.5km to Campamento Italiano, but it quickly becomes clear that neither one of us is willing to hike through dinnertime, so we end up stopping at Camp Paine Grande for the night. I’m delighted to have my pasta meal, but our short day today means that we must cover 22.5km tomorrow, an admittedly daunting distance.

Day 3

We do not make another afternoon-start mistake today; we’ve eaten, packed our tent and backpacks, and are on the trail by mid-morning. The hike is studded with incredible views of snowy-mountain peaks above the glacier-fed river– probably one of the best parts of the park is the frequency of rivers and streams, all ice-cold and delicious to drink. It’s not long before we reach Camp Italiano and head 5km upwards to a series of miradors looking out over the Valle del Frances, the last of which is Mirador Britanico. The panoramic views of the mountains are unbelievable and I’m not sure either of our cameras do it justice.

After lunch on a rock, we head back down towards Camp Italiano and make our camping reservation for the last night at Camp Torres (!!) before heading onwards another 5km to Camp Los Cuernos, our final destination for the day.

In the final kilometre of the hike, we walk briefly alongside the most beautiful lake and the temptation to dive in is ever-increasing. Yet, we somehow manage to divert ourselves away from the lakeside path and spend the next 40 minutes bush-whacking through what was obviously once a trail (hence the confusion) that has long since been abandoned in favour of something more accommodating to the girth of a backpack. It is scratched and highly irritated that we finally emerge from the brambles into camp.




Due to deviations from the original itinerary, we have only camped at paid campgrounds thus far into the trip; tonight, though, I do not regret the 8,600 pesos ($17) because there are hot showers. Some girl in line for the bathroom tries to make conversation with me, but I am functioning at a level far below normal and can’t understand a word she’s saying. I later find out she’s Brazilian and consider the possibility that she was speaking Portuguese, in which case: obviously not my fault. More likely, though, I’m just brain-dead from hitting myself against low-hanging tree branches for the last hour.

The shower is amazing (I don’t even want to talk about how long it’s been since our last hot shower) and the 22.5km just wash away. Aristo and I cook soup for dinner and fall asleep before I’m even sure what’s happened.

Day 4

Another efficient morning sees us out of camp around 10am for 22km of rising and descending past Hotel Las Torres and Camp Chileno until we reach Camp Torres, where we plan to drop our big packs and scramble an hour straight up the mountain to the Base de Las Torres. Spirits are high, the sun is stronger than ever, and the day flies by. By mid-afternoon we’ve reached Camp Torres (finally, a free camp!) and set up our tent.



The fast pace of the day requires us to have a brief rest before we can move again, so we cook an early dinner and leave for the hike to the final mirador. The first half hour is incredibly steep trails, followed by a half hour of boulder-scrambling across loose rocks to reach the base of the three peaks that give the park its name. We share chocolate cookies and oranges on a rock by the lake in front of the mountains, taking in the views all around us and trying not to drop things into the Laguna. The view is indescribable. Tired legs scramble back down and fall into bed early in anticipation of the 4am wake-up tomorrow, repeating the same uphill trek in time for sunrise.

Day 5

The sunrise is greatly diminished by the unmanageable cold as soon as we finish the hike and sit in wait. It’s not long before we are both on our feet pacing just to keep some feeling in our limbs. We are both wearing every piece of clothing we’ve brought, but it feels like we are standing naked in below freezing weather. My time at the mirador is entirely spent jumping around and doing awkward shuffly dances to stay warm. A group of cold Italians suggest a dance-off.


As soon as we get back to the tent around 8am, we crawl back into our sleeping bags to recover. Around 11am, we are up from our nap, make noodles for breakfast, and pack for our last day. We only need to cover 10km today, backtracking through Camp Chileno and ending at Hotel Las Torres, where we catch a quick bus back to Laguna Amarga. From there, we board our return bus and journey back to Puerto Natales.

The hike is quick and we are eager to arrive back in civilisation, mostly just because we’ve run out of pasta. Honestly, we both wish we were continuing on to complete the Circuit, another set of trails around the opposite side of the mountains. The utter lack of food, however, leaves us with little choice.

0 Comments
Share
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

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

You May Also Like

28 March 2020

Hiking to Refugio José Rivas & Cotopaxi Glacier in Ecuador

26 October 2019

Travelling with Peru Hop vs public buses: An honest comparison

26 February 2022

Sierra Chincua Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary: how to see millions of migrating butterflies in Mexico

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

read my story
currently exploring

currently exploring

mexico

read our gear guides

🥾 hiking boots

🎒 hiking backpacks

🌨️ cold-weather layers

⛺️ backpacking & alpine tents

🛌 sleeping bag & pads

🍪 backcountry food

📸 travel camera gear

✈️ travel clothing

trail guides

summit guides

itineraries

outdoor gear

GPS maps

recent posts

  • Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano

    2-week Mexico volcanoes itinerary: climbing Pico de Orizaba, Izta, Malinche & Toluca

    3 June 2025
  • Mexico City: the perfect 5-day itinerary for CDMX

    31 May 2025
  • Climbing Iztaccíhuatl volcano

    Driving in Mexico: essential road trip guide for foreigners

    28 May 2025
  • 10-day Rwanda road trip itinerary: gorillas, volcanoes & Lake Kivu

    25 May 2025
  • 2-week Patagonia itinerary: best of Torres del Paine & Los Glaciares/El Chaltén

    22 May 2025

@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 7: Kumamoto
- Takachiho Gorge
- GorogoTaki Waterfall

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

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

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

travel beyond the ordinary

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

all destinations

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

📍 Saxer Lücke, Switzerland 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • start here
  • about
  • group trips
  • destinations
  • hiking guides
  • outdoor gear
  • custom GPS maps
  • privacy
  • contact

COPYRIGHT © 2025 BROOKE BEYOND. TRAVEL BEYOND THE ORDINARY. Site Powered by Pix & Hue.

 

Loading Comments...