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Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Fairyland Loop
USA / Utah

Vanlife diaries #12: Zion, Kanab & Bryce Canyon

5 June 2021

Last Updated on 18 May 2022

After some much-needed rest and relaxation at the start of the week, we ended up enjoying another string of busy days, joining several awesome canyoneering tours around Zion, then hanging out on the shores of Lake Powell, and finally squeezing in a few hikes in Bryce Canyon National Park. 

What we’ve been up to this week

Over the past several weeks, the blog and I have been involved in 5 collaborations with local companies, which is always an amazing way to experience a new place (but also a considerable amount of work). 

The busiest collab day yet was this Tuesday, when we joined a half day canyoneering tour in East Zion followed immediately by a UTV tour to Peekaboo Slot Canyon. 

Read more: THE BEST HALF-DAY CANYONEERING TOUR WITH EAST ZION EXPERIENCES

Canyoneering tour East Zion Experiences Utah Ladder Canyon
Canyoneering in Ladder Canyon
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab Utah tour hiking
Peekaboo Slot Canyon
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab Utah tour hiking
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab Utah tour hiking
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab Utah tour hiking
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab Utah tour hiking
Peekaboo Slot Canyon Kanab Utah tour hiking

Both canyons we explored were incredibly beautiful, all narrow orange walls and swirled sandstone, but we had a particularly good time canyoneering.

Apparently invented in the Zion area, canyoneering involves rappelling deep into desert canyons and then making your way through by means of scrambling, hiking, down-climbing, sliding, and still more rappelling. It’s no easy task, but it’s also one of the most incredible, adrenaline-inducing, mentally-demanding, insanely exciting outdoor adventures I’ve ever experienced!

Canyoneering tour East Zion Experiences Utah Ladder Canyon
Ladder Canyon
Canyoneering tour East Zion Experiences Utah Ladder Canyon
Climbing through Ladder Canyon

We followed up our adventure-packed day in the canyons by driving across the border and out to Lake Powell, where we spent the afternoon drinking blended margaritas and cooking homemade tacos at Lone Rock Beach. 

It was insanely beautiful and we had an amazing day in the sun, but we were also sad to hear from a local family that the water level was lower than they’d ever seen it. In fact, the lake is only holding about 35% of its full capacity right now due to the ongoing drought in Arizona. By drinking more beer, we can all do our part.

Lake Powell Lone Rock Campground
Lone Rock campground on Lake Powell
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Rock Canyon

After a leisurely day at the lake, we headed back to East Zion for another day of canyoneering, this time into the much larger and more challenging Rock Canyon. 

One of our guides from the first canyoneering tour earlier this week had highly recommended this full-day backcountry canyon as something we were ready for, and we were incredibly eager to get our hands dirty and test our skills. 

Lucky enough to get the guide all to ourselves on what was essentially a private tour, we were able to spend much of the day learning how to set up anchors, eight blocks, and safety belays— all essential knowledge for canyoneering on our own. 

Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences

Not only was the day an awesome crash-course in canyoneering, it was also a massive leap forward in difficulty from the last canyon we’d done and therefore a much more “real” experience in many ways. 

Although incredibly fun, Ladder Canyon was a low-risk, beginner tour through a beautiful slot Canyon, while this was real backcountry canyoneering— the demand on each of us was much higher as we had to climb down and out of massive potholes in the rock, scramble along rough terrain, and down-climb nearly a hundred feet through an incredibly sandy crack. 

At many points, there was no margin for error and no safety net. The reward, though, was getting to experience true canyoneering. 

Read more: ROCK CANYON: THE ULTIMATE BACKCOUNTRY CANYONEERING TOUR WITH EAST ZION EXPERIENCES

Canyoneering tour Rock Canyon East Zion Experiences
Rappelling into Rock Canyon

Energised by another amazing day of canyoneering, we finally left Zion behind and headed to Bryce Canyon for the weekend— an interesting choice, considering that it was (unbeknownst to us at the time) Memorial Day Weekend. 

The park was definitely busy (still not even a fraction of the people at Zion on a random Tuesday), but we managed to find relative solitude on the Fairyland Loop (8mi), Mossy Cave (1mi), and more distant viewpoints along the Scenic Drive. 

Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Natural Bridge
Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Fairyland Loop
Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Fairyland Loop
Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Mossy Cave hike
Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Fairyland Loop
Can you spot me below the impressive Bryce hoodoos?

Having both visited Bryce late last year, two days was enough at the park, but it was still amazing to see all the hoodoos under sun rather than snow— when dad, Eileen, and I were here, a massive snowstorm rolled through and blanketed everything in powder.

Honestly, I think winter is even more beautiful, but it’s hard to beat the comfortable temps and longer daylight hours of spring!

Bryce Canyon National Park itinerary Fairyland Loop
Fairyland Point

Where we stayed this week

After a slightly bloody UTV mishap at the start of the week, we ended up spending 2 days in a hotel. It always feels like a waste when we have such a comfortable van, but the stays were simply unavoidable considering the mess we had to deal with. Aside from the unplanned hotel stays, we spent the rest of the week camping for free on Forest Service or BLM land, exactly how we like it!

  • EconoLodge St George, UT ($47; 24 May)
  • Boondocking on BLM land near Mt Carmel Junction, UT (free; 25 May)
  • Rodeway Inn Big Water, UT ($52; 26 May)
  • Boondocking on BLM land near Mt Carmel Junction, UT (free; 27 May) 
  • Boondocking on Forest Service land near Bryce Canyon National Park, UT (free; 28 May)
  • Boondocking on Toms Best Spring Road near Bryce Canyon National Park, UT (free; 29 May)
  • Mt Nebo/North Peak Trailhead near Mona, UT (free; 30 May)
Canyoneering Zion National Park Rock Canyon
Canyoneering in Rock Canyon

What we spent this week

With our unplanned hotel stays and lots of activity costs, this was a really expensive week for us. Our only saving grace was the fact that we didn’t travel super far and therefore saved on fuel, plus kept eating costs pretty low, but we’re definitely hoping not to repeat this week anytime soon.

  • Groceries: $65
  • Eating out: $45
  • Fuel: $11
  • Accommodation: $108
  • Activities: $200
Canyoneering tour East Zion Experiences Utah Ladder Canyon
Climbing through Ladder Canyon
TAGS:vanlifevanlife USA
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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_

  • 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
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.
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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
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_
•
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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
7 days ago
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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
2 weeks 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

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