The Alpine Hikers Blog
We love the Alps. Switzerland has been our home away from home every summer hiking season since 1999. We’ve had a lot of time to develop opinions about the best of this and the worst of that, the experiences not to miss, and the way to get the most out of travel in the Alps. This is where we share our unbiased opinions, insights; and, we hope, a bit of inspiration.
Naming our blog “Stübli”, the Swiss German word for a cozy pub/restaurant in the traditional style, is a way of sharing our love for a refreshing beer, a hearty meal, and good conversation – after a long day spent hiking through alpine mountains and meadows, of course! Pull up a chair, we’d love to swap trail stories.
This summer, I had a real treat. Three full days in Grindelwald, and nothing that I absolutely had to do. So many options, so much time! Exploring Grindelwald in the Bernese Oberland Grindelwald, for those of you who know it, has an absolutely stunning backdrop - the Wetterhorn, Mättenberg and Eiger side by side, towering over everything. But it's also...
We recognize the problem. How can you square climate change as one of the defining challenges of our age while flying halfway around the world on vacation? We hike pristine trails, use public transport and support small local inns and restaurants, but we have a big carbon footprint, and it's important to take a hard look at our own sustainability...
Switzerland has the best bread in the World. There, I've said it. Switzerland gets credit for doing a lot of things well, like chocolate, cheese, watches, and efficient transportation. But they don't get enough credit for their bread. As a former baker, and long-time admirer of Swiss bread, I think it's time we drew some attention to this. Keep reading...
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...
Traveling to the Dolomites? A stop at Gostner Schwaige is a must! If you find yourself trekking through the majestic peaks of the Val Gardena in the Italian Dolomites, say on our self-guided Great Dolomites Traverse, we've got a must do suggestion for you. Go to a foodie's hidden heaven, located just above Ortisei on the Alpe di Siusi. The...