Luca In The Alps

Overview Location : Nevegal, Belluno (Italy) Start point : Restaurant La Casera (approx. 1400m) End point : Rifugio Bristot (a bit over 1600m) Time : ~1 hour 15 minutes to the hut Difficulty : Easy to moderate Highlights : Optional scenic ridge path with views of Lake Santa Croce Malga Faverghera with botanical garden and viewpoint Panoramic 180° view of the Dolomites from Rifugio Bristot Optional extension : Rifugio Visentin (1776m, +1h, less scenic) Best for : Families, casual hikers, lovers of polenta and mountain views Download GPS file This hike is beyond classic. For me, it's  the  classic of classics. It takes place in Nevegal—the mountain where my parents bought a chalet when I was born. I think I’ve been there at least once every year since, so let’s say… 30 times and counting. The Hike The most typical route we do starts at Restaurant La Casera (around 1400m) and climbs to Rifugio Bristot , which sits just above 1600m. The b...

Overview Location: Les Pléiades, above Vevey, Switzerland Highest Point: 1,360m Typical Start Point: Unmarked parking near Fayaux station (850m) Hike Duration: ~3 hours (round trip) Elevation Gain: ~500m Season: All year (snowshoes might be required in deep winter) Difficulty: Moderate Highlights: Stunning lake views Summit with educational installations on astronomy A cozy mountain hut for food and drinks Option to return by train      Download GPS file A Special Place for Me This hike is one of my all-time classics—I do it even a couple of times per year. Les Pléiades is a large hill (or small mountain) above Vevey, offering fantastic views over the lake. It also holds a special meaning for me, as it’s the place where I proposed to my wife. The summit sits at 1,360m, just below a chalet with breathtaking views of Lake Geneva. One of the great things about this hike is its flexibility. You can make it as long or short as you want, with different s...

  Overview Starting Point: Les Clées (580m) End Point: Saut du Day Waterfall (650m) Alternative Ending: Le Day (800m) Distance: ~5 km (one way) Estimated Time: ~1 hour to the waterfall (longer with kids) Difficulty: Easy to moderate (some steep edges, narrow paths) Family-Friendly?: Yes, with supervision in some sections Notable Features: Scenic river views,  a mysterious  tunnel and a waterfall with a beach area Download GPS file The Start: Les Clées to the Trailhead This hike is a classic for families, offering beautiful scenery and a cool waterfall at the end. Plus, for me, it’s only 15 minutes from home—so I visit often! The Gorges de l'Orbe trail runs from Orbe to Vallorbe, but the best section lies between Les Clées and Le Saut du Day . I recommend starting in Les Clées , where you’ll also find a castle with a bar —a great spot to relax post-hike. The trailhead is located below the castle . Turn left onto a small road, passing houses and a bridge. After a...

  Overview Starting point: Petra Félix (1,144m) Arrival: Dent de Vaulion summit (1,482m) Altitude gain: ~340m Duration: ~2 hours round trip Difficulty: Easy Best season: All year (winter possible sometimes with snowshoes) Family-friendly: Yes Sunset view: Highly recommended Download GPS file Dent de Vaulion is another one of those classic hikes that I return to every year. It’s a great hike for all seasons—you can even do it in winter with snowshoes —and its length makes it ideal for families . Starting Point: Petra Félix The hike starts just after the Col du Mollendruz pass in the Jura mountains . After passing the parking at the pass, drive for a couple of minutes until you reach a parking lot  just before the roads starts to descend. The place is called  Petra Félix (1,144m) —a name that feels like a good omen . From here, you start hiking up a gravel road for about 15 minutes . ( Note: Since I’ve done this hike so many times, I rarely take pictures anymore,...