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Europe / Poland

Planning a trip to Poland

23 November 2016

This content has been archived.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

Last Updated on 23 May 2025

Poland, situated in either Central or Eastern Europe depending on who you speak to (and people seem really polarised about it, for some reason), is part of the EU and therefore is included in the Schengen Area for visa purposes, although it does not use the Euro (instead using Polish złoty). It might not be on everyone’s Euro Trip itinerary, but it really should be!

Not only is it overflowing with history and beautiful cities, I found that traveling in Poland is quite inexpensive― certainly nothing like Asia or Latin America, but far more affordable than Western Europe. You can buy pastries for under $1, take a 2 hour bus ride for about $5, join a guided tour for about $15, and stay in a private Airbnb for $25-45/night. I also found that people are very friendly, the cities are very clean, and the food is superb! It’s a previously underrated destination that is catching a lot more attention recently, and rightly so. Here is some practical information for planning a trip to Poland.

Getting around

Trains

We found that the train was a very reliable and reasonably priced way of getting between larger towns in Poland, and booked our tickets in advance via the Polrail website. The only annoying caveat is that the tickets can’t be printed, but must be mailed to an address in Poland. I just contacted the host of our AirBnb in advance and asked to mail the tickets to him, which he happily agreed to, supplying his work address and then delivering the tickets to the flat so that they were waiting for us when we arrived.

Buses

For shorter trips, like from Kraków to Oświęcim (where the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum is located), Polish buses are easiest and incredibly inexpensive. In Kraków’s main train station (Kraków Główny), the buses are located right outside and run quite regularly to a number of destinations that would make for great day trips. It was fine for us to just show up to the buses and book these tickets rather than reserving in advance, as buses to popular destinations like Auschwitz are running constantly.

Where to visit

Kraków

Situated on the Vistula River in Southern Poland, Kraków is a vibrant city with a storied past and a rich, enduring culture. Wander around Rynek Główny, the main square, to take in the beautiful St. Mary’s Basilica; admire Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral on the hill above the city; take a free walking tour through the Jewish Quarter in Kazimierz; visit the museum at Oskar Schindler’s Factory for a history lesson; and enjoy delicious pierogi and zapiekanka at one of the hundreds of cafes and restaurants. I recommend staying in either Kazimierz or Old Town, and would also highly recommend staying in an Airbnb― we paid just $27/night for our private apartment overlooking the square! Read more about our time in Kraków.


Oświęcim

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum is the most important place to visit in Poland and somewhere absolutely everyone should see in their life. It’s easily accessible as a day trip from Kraków, simply take a 90min bus from the train station for 17zł (there is really no need to pay for a tour, it’s incredibly simple to get yourself there). Entry to both Auschwitz and nearby Birkenau is free, but I would highly recommend paying the 47zł to join a tour, as there’s an overwhelming amount of things to see and you’ll take a lot more out of the experience if you have someone explaining the history and significance of what you are seeing. Read more about our time at Auschwitz-Birkenau.


Zakopane

A quaint ski town located 2 hours from Kraków, Zakopane is another great option for a day trip, either for snow sports in winter or hiking in summer. It was unfortunately an unseasonably warm November, so we had neither snow cover nor appropriate hiking weather, but we enjoyed the cute town and the views from the top of the mountain regardless. Take a bus early in the morning from the main station in Kraków and enjoy a full day in the Tatras!


Wrocław

Definitely the most adorable fairytale town I’ve ever seen, I can’t recommend Wrocław highly enough as a sweet escape after many days of taking in important (but devastating) history lessons in one of the bigger cities. Walk around the Market Square, past the storybook-eque Town Hall and the dozens of colourful buildings; climb the St. Elizabeth Church’s tower via a narrow, spiral staircase and take in views over the whole town; wander through the beautiful Szczytnicki Park; and go gnome-spotting to see how many of the town’s 200 tiny gnome statues you can find! Read more about our time in Wrocław.


Read more about our Poland adventures

HISTORY LESSONS IN KRAKÓW: VISITING AUSCHWITZ AND KAZIMIERZ

COUNTING DOWN TO CHRISTMAS IN WROCŁAW, POLAND

12 TIPS FOR BACKPACKING EUROPE

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brooke beyond

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

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hi, I’m brooke!

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

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recent posts

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@brookebeyond_
brooke ✨travel & mountain gal

@brookebeyond_

  • 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
.
.
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.
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#easyhikes #swissalps #matterhorn #jungfraujoch #oeschinensee #stoos #switzerland
  • This is my 2nd summer back in Zermatt to climb the Matterhorn— and my 2nd summer NOT climbing the Matterhorn 😑

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 7: Kumamoto
- Takachiho Gorge
- GorogoTaki Waterfall

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

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

Day 14: return to Fukuoka
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#fukuoka #kyushu #japan #roadtrip #beppu
#onsen #takachiho
  • The famous bowing deer of Nara 🦌✨

The ancient city of Nara is home to around 1,300 sacred deer (believed to be messengers to the gods!) roaming freely around the parks and temples. They are SO cute & friendly, and feeding the deer in Nara was a top highlight of my 6 weeks in Japan 🥹

Tips for visiting the deer:
🦌 head to Nara Park & you’ll find deer everywhere near Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha & Kofukuji. Look for shikadamari (deer meeting spots) & approach respectfully!
🍘 buy shika senbei (deer crackers) for ~¥200 from local vendors. Hold one up, bow & watch the deer bow back!
🚃 get here in ~45min from Kyoto or Osaka by train
🏯 this is a popular day trip, but I definitely recommend staying overnight in a traditional ryokan & eating at some of the amazing local restaurants
⏱️ the park is prettiest early in the morning or around sunset when it’s quieter, the light is soft & the deer are more relaxed
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#nara #naradeer #japan #japantravel #traveljapan #wheninjapan
follow @brookebeyond_

travel beyond the ordinary

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

all destinations

  • 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 😍
@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 😭😭)
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/5
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
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.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨
.
.
.
.
#swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
magical summer sunsets in Switzerland ✨ . . . . #swissalps #stoosridge #swisssummer #sunset
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/5
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
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.
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#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
7 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/5
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 🤩
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
4/5
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 😍
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 😍
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 😍
@brookebeyond_
@brookebeyond_
•
Follow
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 😍
2 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/5

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