Luca In The Alps

Overview Start point : Pompaples (Parking near bus stop "Colline") Destination : Cascade du Dard Distance : ~3.5 km one way Elevation gain : ~100 m Time : ~1 hour (one way) Difficulty : Easy Optional extensions : Hike to La Croix, Romainmôtier Abbey, or take alternate scenic return routes Download GPS file This one wins the prize for best quality-to-distance ratio from where I live—less than five minutes by car! I actually live just 30 meters from the Via Francigena, one of Europe’s longest trails, stretching from Canterbury in England to Rome. However, around my area, the trail mainly follows countryside roads—great for jogging but not particularly exciting for hiking. The hike I’m sharing here is a real treat: easy, scenic, and surprisingly peaceful . It's the trail from Pompaples to the Cascade du Dard . You can start by parking in Pompaples, near the bus stop “Colline.” Walk a bit further along the road, cross a bridge, pass a few houses, and you’ll ...

Overview Location : Lake Bohinj, northwestern Slovenia Start point : Koča pri Savici restaurant (approx. 650m) End point : Base of Savica Waterfall ( Slap Savica ) Distance : ~1 km one way Elevation gain : ~130m Time : ~1 hour round trip Difficulty : Easy Download GPS file To be honest, I don’t remember many details about this hike—except that it was really nice. But I wanted to include at least one from Slovenia, and this one definitely deserves a spot. The Hike The hike starts at the far end of Lake Bohinj , a serene and crystal-clear alpine lake in northwestern Slovenia. While the area can get busy in summer, it’s still far quieter than the famous Lake Bled just a few kilometers away—and arguably even more beautiful. Drive past the small village of Ukanc and follow a narrow road to Koča pri Savici , a restaurant and popular trailhead at around 650 meters above sea level. There's a large parking area here, making it a convenient place to start your ad...

  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 : Champéry gondola parking (1,050m) Summit : Exit in the forest above the via ferrata (~1,350m) Altitude gain : ~400m Duration : ~3 hours round trip Difficulty : Medium Technical difficulty : Mid-High K3 (with a short K4 section) The via ferrata de la Tière is a challenging but accessible route for anyone who isn’t too afraid of heights. What makes it truly special is that it runs alongside a roaring waterfall , offering an exhilarating mix of climbing and breathtaking scenery. Getting to the Start We began at the Champéry gondola parking and walked back toward the valley. After a few minutes, we turned downhill at Chemin des Grands Champs , where the road goes downhill and transitions from asphalt to gravel. A couple of hundred meters later, we reached the information panels marking the start of the trail. From there, the approach trail climbs steadily through the forest for about 30-40 minutes before reaching the base of the via ferrata. Already at this ...