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Troy Haines

The overall experience was great from start to finish – right from the first time Troy responded to my inquiry on “would you help organize a self guided tour,” to suggesting the right kid-friendly places for us to stay at, to planning all logistics (reservations, train passes, brochures, suggestions, etc), to checking on us at Murren – all of this showed that Alpinehikers didn’t want just our “business” but deeply cared about our customer experience too!

Troy Haines

Owner + Founder

As the founder and owner of Alpinehikers, Troy Haines is intimately involved in every detail of our tours. Troy first visited the Alps while studying in West Berlin in 1989. On a break from his studies, he made the first of many trips to these wonderful mountains. The rugged, imposing power of the surrounding peaks combined with the peace of the villages below formed a powerful attraction. It was love at first sight. After many return trips to walk the trails, meet interesting people, and envy the lifestyle of those lucky enough to live in such a beautiful setting, Troy made his move to the Alps. He lived and worked in the hotels in Mürren, and spent many happy summers wandering the trails to discover new places.

Troy has a degree in linguistics from Stanford University, previously taught 1st Aid and CPR classes for the American Red Cross, and led rock-climbing, hiking, and cross-country skiing trips. He also owned a bakery for two years (which helps explain his love of Swiss pastries) before moving to Switzerland in 1997.

“When not with the tours, I love being a dad and hanging out with my two young kids. I’m also an enthusiastic trail runner, and have competed in a few of the excellent trail races in Switzerland, including the Jungfrau marathon twice. I love meeting and walking with new people in beautiful places, and always look forward to meeting others on these tours who share the same love of life and discovery that I do.”

Troy and JJ currently live in Prescott, AZ, and still travel to Switzerland (almost) every summer to organize tours and keep up-to-date on the lastest.  Also to hike. Their daughter Sidney and son Owen have both spent many happy summers in Mürren.

Stay at Obersteinberg Overnight

Staying the night at the historic Berghotel Obersteinberg is a highlight for everyone on our Bernese Oberland tours. It’s peaceful, beautiful, and inspiring. And the fresh mountain air is the perfect antidote to the crazy pace of life these days. The rooms are simple and absolutely charming. Private bedrooms come cleanly made up with thick, fluffy duvets, a little side...

The Best Hike in the Alps? Follow Us!

Is there such a thing as the BEST HIKE in the Alps?  After leading hiking tours for over 20 years, I have a lot of favorite hikes throughout Switzerland, France and Italy.  But if it comes down to one “best hike”, my answer is easy and always the same... go to Obersteinberg.  Where is Obersteinberg? Obersteinberg is a quiet mountain...

Soglio and the Hidden Val Bregaglia

Soglio is an almost impossibly charming village in the Bregaglia valley in Southeastern Switzerland.  Not far from famous St Moritz and cozy Pontresina, this hidden valley and beautiful village are nonetheless firmly off the beaten path.  It's long been one of our favorite destinations and occasionally shows up as an overnight or a dayhike on our Guided Engadine tours.  Soglio...

Engstlenalp – A Perfect Day out between Bern and Central Switzerland

Engstlenalp is one of our favorite alps.  An historic inn and scenic farm, tucked at the end of a pretty valley above Meiringen.  There are lakes, views, lifts, cheese and great walks.   A visit to Engstlenalp is a great day out anytime, but being right above Meiringen, it works particularly well as a warm-up day before our Bernese Oberland Traverse....

Riederalp, Bettmerhorn and the Mighty Aletsch Glacier

The Aletsch Glacier is the largest glacier in the Alps.  It's a massive river of ice 14 miles long and 3000 ft thick at Koncordiaplatz, its thickest point.  This is what people travel to Jungfraujoch to see, stretching out from the Jungfrau in the Bernese Oberland down toward Valais.  It's spectacular.  Oh yeah, it's pretty popular too... over 1 million...

Reflections on the Best of Bernese Oberland 2018

We love family trips to the Alps.  There is so much to see and do, and it is an adventure the kids will never forget.  The Hollenbaugh family brought their daughters on a custom self-guided Best of the Bernese Oberland tour, adding Zermatt and Chamonix this summer.  At the end of their trip, they sent us a couple photos along...

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