• 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

On the summit of Pico de Orizaba Mexico
Latin America / Mexico / Puebla / Veracruz

Complete Pico de Orizaba packing list: what to pack for climbing Mexico’s highest volcano

21 April 2025

Last Updated on 30 May 2025

Mexico’s highest peak and the third tallest in North America, Pico de Orizaba (5,636m) is a striking stratovolcano known for its steep glacier, thin air, and panoramic summit views that stretch across half the country. But don’t be fooled by the short approach— summit day on Orizaba is a true sufferfest: brutally cold, unrelentingly steep, and fully exposed all the way to the crater rim.

This is a high-altitude alpine climb and your success hinges entirely on experience, acclimatisation, and bringing the right gear. From dialled-in layers to glacier travel essentials, what’s in your pack can make or break this climb. I summited Pico de Orizaba in December 2023 via the Jamapa Glacier from Refugio Piedra Grande (a basic hut at 4,260m). This post outlines what I packed for our ascent, but perhaps more importantly, all the key gear swaps I’d make if I were climbing it again (because I was NOT warm enough!).

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase something I recommend, at no extra cost to you. I ONLY recommend gear that I personally use (or that James uses) and that we genuinely LOVE— your support helps keep this site going and the adventures rolling!

What's in this guide

Toggle
  • Pico de Orizaba climb packing list
    • What to wear on Pico de Orizaba: top + bottom layers
    • What to wear on Pico de Orizaba: head, hands & feet
    • Climbing gear
    • Safety & navigation
    • Hut gear & water/food

Check out my outdoor gear guides for the best:

hiking boots
hiking backpacks
cold-weather layers
backpacking tents
outdoor sleep system
backcountry food
camera gear

Pico de Orizaba climb packing list

At 5,636m (18,491ft), Pico de Orizaba is a brutally cold, high-altitude glacier climb that demands dialled gear choices. We were exposed to sub-freezing temps and biting wind for hours of the ascent, and the combination of altitude, steep terrain, and early-morning start only added to the challenge.

I’ll be honest: I underestimated the wind chill and was NOT warm enough with the gear I had. I spent many hours completely unable to feel my feet and was shivering violently by the time we reached the summit. After developing a better layering system to summit Aconcagua, this list reflects what I would pack for Pico now, using the lessons learned from both peaks. It’s a dialled-in setup designed to help you summit with confidence (and warm feet)!

🏔️ Check out my Pico de Orizaba Summit Guide for climb logistics, acclimatisation advice, and real-world tips from my successful climb in December 2023!

WHAT TO WEAR ON PICO DE ORIZABA: TOP + BOTTOM LAYERS
⭐️ sports bras/shirt + underwear
⭐️ wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ lightweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Rho LT Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ mid-weight down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ heavyweight down jacket: Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ wool base layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Satoro Merino Wool Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ soft shell pants: Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ hard shell pants: Arc’teryx Beta Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

WHAT TO WEAR ON PICO DE ORIZABA: HEAD, HANDS & FEET
⭐️ glacier glasses: Julbo Vermont
⭐️ 2x neck gaiters: Buff Original + Buff Polar
⭐️ balaclava: Seirus Ultra Clava
⭐️ beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque
⭐️ insulated mittens: Black Diamond Super Light Mitts
⭐️ liner socks: REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks
⭐️ expedition socks: REI Co-op Merino Wool Expedition Hiking Crew Socks
⭐️ mountaineering boots: Scarpa Charmoz (women’s) / (men’s)

CLIMBING GEAR
⭐️ daypack (25-35L): Osprey Tempest 30 (women’s) / Osprey Talon 33 (men’s)
⭐️ helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet (women’s) / (men’s)
⭐️ ice axe: Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe
⭐️ harness: Black Diamond Couloir Harness
⭐️ glacier rope: Black Diamond 8.9mm Dry Rope (40m)
⭐️ crampons: Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons with ABS Plates
⭐️ gaiters: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodile Gaiters
⭐️ trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

SAFETY & NAVIGATION
⭐️ PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2
⭐️ GPS: CalTopo app on mobile & Garmin fenix 7X Pro Watch
⭐️ First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Ultralight .5
⭐️ headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R
⭐️ powerbank: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

HUT GEAR & WATER/FOOD
⭐️ sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark 0
⭐️ sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad
⭐️ pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium
⭐️ hut shoes: Mountain Hardwear Down Bootie
⭐️ toiletries
⭐️ camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip
⭐️ cup: Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Cup + spoon: Toaks Titanium Long Handle Spoon
⭐️ 2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth
⭐️ insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Bottle 32oz
⭐️ electrolytes: Liquid IV
⭐️ freeze-dried meals + snacks: see my complete guide to backcountry food

What to wear for climbing Pico de Orizaba
The gang all geared up on Pico de Orizaba

What to wear on Pico de Orizaba: top + bottom layers

Pico may be a short climb compared to some bigger expeditions, but the cold is no joke— temps on our summit day were -18°C with 40km/hr winds, and we were fully exposed for over 6 hours in the dark. What I wore wasn’t enough to keep me warm and I suffered massively before sunrise, so this updated layering system reflects everything I’ve learned since, including my post-Aconcagua gear upgrades. These layers are designed to keep you warm, dry, and mobile from Refugio Piedra Grande to the crater rim and back.


sports bra/shirt + underwear

I’m not going to tell you what undergarments to pack, but just consider you’ll need something to layer under your climbing ensemble.


wool base layer: Smartwool Classic Thermal Base Layer Top (women’s) / (men’s)

This was my first layer for summit day, and it worked well under my fleece + insulation. It’s warm, breathable, and resists odour even after a tough climb.


lightweight fleece mid-layer: Arc’teryx Rho LT Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore this second layer from hut to summit and back. It was just warm enough to retain heat while climbing, and the built-in face panel and balaclava-style hood were great for extra coverage under a helmet.


synthetic insulation: Arc’teryx Atom Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

This was my third layer and stayed on for the entire climb. It adds warmth without overheating and breathes well on the move, making it critical for high-output effort in the cold.


mid-weight down jacket: Arc’teryx Cerium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore this as my outermost layer from the hut to the base of the glacier, and it felt warm enough while we were still sheltered from the wind— as soon as we reached the open glacier, I was freezing. The Cerium worked well as an inner down layer, but it’s not enough alone for the summit climb, so plan to pair it with something heavier above.


heavyweight down jacket: Arc’teryx Thorium Hoody (women’s) / (men’s)

I added this over my Cerium as soon as we hit the windy glacier, so this layer is 100% essential. It served as my outermost insulation for the summit push, but in the winds we had (40km/hr), it was absolutely not enough. Ideally, I would have had a shell overtop!


shell jacket: Arc’teryx Beta SL Jacket (women’s) / (men’s)

I brought this for wind and weather protection, but didn’t end up wearing it on the glacier because it wasn’t big enough to fit over both of my down jackets without compressing the insulation— once you compress down, it loses warmth fast. If you want to use a shell on summit day (which is a smart move in bad weather), make sure it’s sized to layer comfortably over your full insulation system.


wool base layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Satoro Merino Wool Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

These were my next-to-skin layer on summit day—soft, warm, and breathable. They handled sweat well and never got clammy, even under multiple insulation layers.


fleece mid-layer bottoms: Arc’teryx Kyanite Base Layer Bottoms (women’s) / (men’s)

I wore these over my merino base, and they made a huge difference in warmth, especially as we climbed higher. These are absolutely essential for cold summit days like Pico.


soft shell pants: Arc’teryx Gamma Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

This was my outermost layer for the climb, and they handled the rocky moraine and glacier slopes well enough— but as the wind speed approached 40km/hr, they just weren’t enough on their own. I’d absolutely recommend adding a hard shell layer on top (below).


hard shell pants: Arc’teryx Beta Pants (women’s) / (men’s)

The wind on the glacier was brutal and a pair of hardshell pants over my soft shells would’ve added critical protection and helped trap warmth. Next time, this would 100% be part of my summit kit.


Orizaba Glacier Climbers
Orizaba Glacier Climbers

What to wear on Pico de Orizaba: head, hands & feet

Your extremities take a serious hit on Pico— the entire summit push is exposed, high-altitude, and starts in complete darkness. My face, fingers, and toes took the brunt of the cold, and while some of my gear worked well, there were a few things I’d upgrade immediately. This section reflects both what I wore and what I recommend based on hindsight.


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

glacier glasses: Julbo Vermont

At over 5,600m, the combination of thin atmosphere and reflective snow means you’re exposed to extreme UV radiation, even on cloudy days. Glacier glasses are specifically designed with dark, full-coverage lenses and side shields to block light from all angles, unlike regular sunglasses. I wore mine from sunrise through descent, and they were essential for protecting against snow blindness, eye fatigue, and wind exposure on the upper glacier.


Buff

2x neck gaiters: Buff Original + Buff Polar

I wore both my Original Buff + Polar Buff for summit day— the thicker fleece version offered solid insulation and wind protection on my neck and face.


balaclava: Seirus Ultra Clava

On Pico, I wore a Buff as a balaclava and it basically froze to my face— the moisture from my breath instantly turned to ice, and it made breathing harder while offering minimal warmth.

I upgraded to this Ultra Clava for Aconcagua and it was a total game-changer! The built-in breathing vents kept my face warm and dry, without fogging up my glacier glasses or restricting airflow, so for Pico’s windy, freezing summit push, this is essential!


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

beanie: Arc’teryx Mallow Toque

Wore this under my helmet from hut to summit— warm, low-profile, and stayed put even layered with a hood and balaclava.


insulated mittens: Black Diamond Super Light Mitts

I didn’t have these yet on Pico— just leather mountaineering gloves— and I couldn’t feel my fingers by the time we hit the upper glacier, which made handling gear really difficult (and frankly unsafe). I’d absolutely recommend insulated mitts to keep your hands functional and frostbite-free in the brutal pre-dawn cold.


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

liner socks: REI Co-op Silk Liner Crew Socks

I wore these under my expedition socks for blister prevention and moisture wicking. They made layering more comfortable and helped with temperature regulation.


expedition socks: REI Co-op Merino Wool Expedition Hiking Crew Socks

Summit day calls for extra-thick, ultra-warm expedition socks designed for extreme climbing conditions.


mountaineering boots: Scarpa Charmoz (women’s) / (men’s)

This was the weakest point in my entire gear system— I’ve climbed plenty of peaks in my lightweight mountaineering boots (including Mont Blanc), but temps on Pico were WAY colder than I was expecting and these simply were not sufficient. If and when I repeat Pico de Orizaba, I’d wear Scarpa Charmoz or similar heavier-duty mountaineering boots.


Summit of Pico de Orizaba Mexico
On the summit of Pico de Orizaba

Climbing gear

Climbing Pico, you’ll be on steep snow and ice for hours, with a sustained glacier section that requires proper gear and glacier travel skills. If you’re climbing independently or part of a rope team, you’ll need everything from a harness to crampons. Even with a guide, it’s important to understand your equipment and be fully prepared for cold, altitude, and self-arrest scenarios.

⚠️ This is what we personally carried on Pico de Orizaba, but the exact technical gear required for your specific route conditions on any given day may be more or less than what is listed here— speak to a local guide in the hut for up-to-date information on glacier conditions!


daypack (25–35L): Osprey Tempest 30 (women’s) / Osprey Talon 33 (men’s)

This was the perfect size for summit day— plenty of space for layers, snacks, water, safety gear, and crampons, without being bulky or heavy. Look for a close-fitting pack with external attachment loops for your ice axe.


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

helmet: Black Diamond Half Dome Helmet (women’s) / (men’s)

Between rockfall risk on the approach and ice chunks kicked loose on the glacier, I wore this from the hut to the summit and back. Lightweight, adjustable, and comfortable with a beanie underneath.


ice axe: Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe

I used this from the glacier toe to the crater rim— the slope angle steepens significantly as you approach the upper mountain, so an axe is your primary tool for balance and self-arrest. Make sure you know how to use it!


harness: Black Diamond Couloir Harness

Lightweight, compact, and easy to wear over bulky layers and boots. I wore this on summit day as part of our glacier travel setup, clipped into the rope + with glacier prusiks. Definitely necessary if you’re roped up, but if you’re climbing with a guide, they may provide this for you.


glacier rope: Black Diamond 8.9mm Dry Rope (40m)

We climbed as a 3-person rope team, and a 40m dry-treated rope gave us enough spacing for crevasse fall protection while staying light. If you’re climbing with a guide, they’ll likely handle this— but for independent groups, it’s essential glacier gear.


crampons: Black Diamond Contact Strap Crampons with ABS Plates

Steel crampons are far more durable than aluminium, offer better grip on ice, and are much safer for mixed snow/rock terrain, which you may encounter depending on the season. And don’t forget: ABS plates are non-negotiable— they prevent snow from balling underfoot, which can turn your crampons into ice skates on the descent.


gaiters: Outdoor Research Expedition Crocodile Gaiters

Gaiters helped keep snow out of my boots and protected my soft shells from crampon spikes— not 100% essential, but definitely a nice add to improve warmth on the climb!


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

trekking poles: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

I used both poles on the approach to the glacier, then stashed one and used the other with my ice axe on the glacier itself. Helpful for balance, pacing, and saving energy during the initial climb and long way down.


Garmin In-Reach communication for soloing Aconcagua
Garmin In-Reach Mini 2 communication & emergency device–essential!!

Safety & navigation

Even though Orizaba is a short climb, it’s incredibly exposed— especially during the long, cold summit push. Strong headlamps, emergency nav tools, and a small but solid safety kit are essential in case of bad weather or altitude-related issues on the glacier.


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

PLB/SOS: Garmin InReach Mini 2

A Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) is your lifeline in the outdoors and it is essential for EVERY SINGLE SUMMIT. I carry a Garmin InReach Mini 2, which allows me to send messages, get weather updates, track location, and place an SOS call in an emergency, even without phone service. It does require a subscription (starting at $12/month), but it’s worth every cent and has literally saved both of my parents’ lives in the backcountry!


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

GPS: CalTopo app on mobile

The absolute best GPS resource is the smartphone you already own, paired with a reliable, low-cost GPS mapping app that allows you to access detailed offline Topo maps and navigate via GPS satellites, even without mobile service.

My go-to is CalTopo, which costs just $20/year and is by far the most feature-rich, affordable, and accurate mapping tool out there.


Adventure Medical Kit .5

First Aid Kit: Adventure Medical Ultralight .5

The climb may be short, but altitude and exposure make even small injuries feel serious fast. I carried a compact kit with essentials for blisters, GI distress, altitude headaches, and any cuts or scrapes from rocky terrain near high camp.


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

headlamp: Black Diamond Spot 400-R

Essential for cooking in the hut and safely navigating the steep glacier ascent— we left Refugio Piedra Grande at 1am and climbed nearly 5hrs in the dark before the sun finally hit the glacier. I highly recommend a rechargeable headlamp with at least 300 lumens to light the way up Orizaba’s icy slopes and avoid missteps in the dark.


Alta Via 1 2 4 Packing List- Italian Dolomites

powerbank: VRURC Portable Charger with Built-in Cables, 10000mAh

On a short, intense climb like Orizaba, you don’t need much— but you do need something. I relied on my phone for GPS and my headlamp for nearly 5 hours of climbing in the dark, so having power was non-negotiable. I carried a 10,000mAh powerbank, which covered the essentials for this fast push.

👉🏼 Want to see how we capture photos and videos on our adventures? Peak inside our camera bag!


Pico de Orizaba base camp at Rifugio Piedra Grande
Pico de Orizaba base camp at Refugio Piedra Grande

Hut gear & water/food

Refugio Piedra Grande is a basic, first-come/first-served stone hut near base camp that’s totally free to use— but don’t expect any amenities. There are no toilets or running water and you’ll be sleeping on a wooden plank, so pack like you’re camping, minus the tent. Unless you’re intentionally bivvying outside (which I don’t recommend given the sub-freezing temps), plan to sleep inside the hut and bring your own sleep system and cook setup.


sleeping bag: Sea to Summit Spark 0

Even though you’re sleeping inside a hut, there’s no bedding provided, so you’ll need to pack a warm sleeping bag.


sleeping pad: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT Sleeping Pad

Choose something comfortable, those wooden planks can be unforgiving! I love the short version of this cushy yet compact sleeping pad and use it on all of my adventures.


camp pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Premium

This pillow packs down smaller than a fist and makes sleeping on wooden bunks feel positively luxurious.


hut shoes: Mountain Hardwear Down Bootie

Remove your boots indoors as a courtesy to other climbers and bring a pair of lightweight shoes or sandals to wear around the hut— think Crocs, slides, or down booties.


toiletries

Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, deodorant, medications, contact solution… whatever you need to stay clean and comfortable overnight!


camp stove (+ fuel): Jetboil Zip

The best quick and dirty way to boil water in the hut for dinner and maybe a hot beverage in the morning. Remember that you also need to bring all of your own cooking water to the hut!


cup + spoon: Frontier Ultralight Collapsible Cup + Toaks Titanium Long Handle Spoon

Plan to bring your own bowl and cup to enjoy dinner and hot drinks in the hut. 


2x water bottles: Nalgene Wide Mouth

Depending on your own water consumption, pack 2-4L of water in large bottles for the climb. Even with an insulated hose, your bladder WILL freeze, so it’s not a good choice for this climb! 

To keep the water in your bottles from freezing completely (they will freeze a bit no matter what), store them inside your pack wrapped in wool socks or other warm layers OR in an insulated thermos that will not freeze.


insulated water bottle: Hydro Flask Wide-Mouth Vacuum Bottle 32oz

Your only access to drinkable (non-frozen) water during the coldest part of summit day is going to be from an insulated bottle— this is SUPER important, do not expect any sock liner or upside-down storage trick to keep even a trickle of liquid water in a bottle at these temps!


electrolytes

Altitude, sun exposure, and sweat can lead to dehydration fast, so add electrolytes to the water that you’re drinking on summit day.

Best overall: Liquid IV


freeze-dried meals + snacks

Boil-only meals are the name of the game for easy dinner prep at the hut!

Favourite brands: Peak Refuel; Packit Gourmet; Backpacker’s Pantry; Real Turmat (European brand)

👉🏼 Check out this post for a breakdown on how we pack backcountry food for multi-day mountaineering trips


Summit day on Orizaba was one of the coldest and most intense mornings I’ve ever spent in the mountains— and I definitely learned a few lessons about what to pack (and what I’d change next time). I hope this list helps you gear up with confidence for your own high-altitude adventure!

🏔️ Still planning your climb? Don’t miss my Pico de Orizaba Summit Guide for climb logistics, acclimatisation advice, and real-world tips from my successful climb. And if you have any questions about gear, drop them in the comments, I’m always happy to help!

TAGS:outdoor packing liststrip-specific packing lists
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

14 December 2014

To the Amazon! Narrowly Avoided Death in Manu National Park

21 April 2025

Complete Aconcagua expedition packing list: what I packed for a successful solo climb

16 February 2022

Vanlife diaries #49: Tlaquepaque & Guadalajara, Jalisco to Guanajuato & San Miguel de Allende, 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...