Blogs

Experience the Oeschinensee and the mountain huts around it — without worrying about route planning or booking your overnight stays. The Oeschinensee is a UNESCO World Heritage mountain lake in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland, and one of the most rewarding destinations for anyone who loves hut to hut hiking in Switzerland. Formed by a prehistoric rock avalanche and sitting at 1,578 metres above sea level, the lake combines startling turquoise water, sheer limestone walls and genuine alpine atmosphere. Whether you are planning a half-day visit, a full day's hike or a multi-day trek through the surrounding mountains, this guide covers everything you need: how to get there, which routes to choose, when to go, what to do and how to book. What and where is the Oeschinensee? The Oeschinensee (Lake Oeschinen in English) lies above the village of Kandersteg in the Swiss Bernese Oberland, roughly one hour south of Bern by car. The lake sits at an elevation of 1,578 metres, covers 1.115 km² and reaches a maximum depth of 56 metres. How it was formed. Large prehistoric landslides in the upper Kander valley created a natural dam between Kandersteg and Kandergrund, which impounded the lake. Geological research attributes the deposits either to a rock avalanche from the northern flank of the Doldenhorn, or to an older avalanche from the Fisistock. Estimates place the most recent major event at around 2,300 years ago. As you hike around the lake today, the dramatic cliffs and moraine ridges you see are the direct legacy of those colossal collapses. UNESCO status. Since 2007, the Oeschinensee has formed part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau–Aletsch UNESCO World Heritage Site, the largest glaciated area in the western Alps and the first Alpine region to receive World Heritage designation. The status reflects the lake's outstanding geological and natural significance, and it carries real consequences for visitors: trail management, visitor numbers and conservation measures are all shaped by the designation. Visiting here is not just a tick on a travel list; you are walking through a site of global importance. The Oeschinensee is also a key stage on the Bärentrek, the most popular section of the Via Alpina 1, Switzerland's 390-kilometre alpine crossing.

Experience the Alta Via 1 through the Dolomites — without worrying about route planning or booking your mountain huts. Planning your Alta Via 1 itinerary is the first real step toward one of the most spectacular multi-day hikes in Europe. From the emerald shores of Lago di Braies to the quieter southern valleys above Belluno, the Alta Via 1 takes you through the heart of the Dolomites — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — on a journey that mixes wild alpine scenery with warm rifugio hospitality every single night. We have helped thousands of hikers book this route. This guide covers everything: the full itinerary with accurate stage data, route options, costs, difficulty, gear, weather, and when to go.

Experience the finest levada walks and mountain trails of Madeira — without worrying about route planning, trail permits or booking your accommodation. Madeira hiking is unlike anything else in Europe. Cloud-forest paths, ancient irrigation channels carved into cliffsides, and a volcanic ridge that tops out at 1,862 m — all on a sub-tropical island roughly the size of Dorset. Whether you are planning a gentle walking holiday in Madeira or a full coast-to-coast traverse, this guide covers everything you need: the best trails for every level, the new 2026 mandatory booking system, the right time of year to go, where to sleep along the route, and how to book an all-in package that handles the logistics for you. Madeira is a Portuguese island sitting in the Atlantic Ocean about 1,000 km south-west of Lisbon and 520 km west of the African coast. The island is essentially one enormous volcano that rises steeply from the ocean floor. Its rugged interior is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its ancient laurel forest, and a dense network of trails connects the peaks, plateaus, and coastline. The result is one of the finest walking destinations on the planet.