Episode 24: Hiking in Switzerland
Interview with Tanya Deans of Swiss Family Fun
Tanya Deans was a mother of a young son when she and her husband decided to move their family from the United States to Switzerland in 2005.
With no other family and friends to socialise with, hiking at weekends began as a way to enjoy some outdoor family time together but it soon became Tanya’s passion and she created a website to share details of her family’s hiking adventures with others.
Tanya’s wish is for everyone to give hiking a go. She firmly believes that hiking doesn’t have to be challenging – an easy stroll in the country is enough to appreciate the beauty that Switzerland has to offer – and she encourages everyone to give it a try.
Swiss Family Fun, Tanya’s website, features detailed information about the hikes that Tanya has done and just by reading her website you can tell how passionate she is about hiking and getting out into the outdoors.
In this episode of the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast, I chat with Tanya about her move to Switzerland and how the website started, and she kindly shares details of some of her favourite Swiss hikes.
Spoiler! There are over 65,000 kilometres of marked hiking trails in Switzerland. Even if you’ve never hiked before or you are a family with a baby in a stroller, there’s a hike in Switzerland that’s perfect for you, too!
Topics discussed in this episode include:
- How Tanya came to live in Switzerland
- How Swiss Family Fun began
- Tanya’s recommended hikes in the Jungfrau Region, Zermatt and Lucerne/central Switzerland.
- Spring flower hikes in Switzerland
- Tanya’s favourite Swiss hike
- Equipment needed for hiking in Switzerland
- Tanya’s top tips for anyone planning to hike in Switzerland
Click the green button below to listen:
Show Notes
The hikes Tanya mentions in this episode are listed below. Click on the hike name to read about the hike on Tanya’s website.
>> Riffelsee to Riffelalp hike – easy (13:45)
>> Matterhorn Glacier Trail – more challenging (15:11)
>> Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg hike – easy (16:15)
>> Grindelwald First to Schynige Platte hike – challenging (17:15)
>> Stoos Ridge Trail – moderate (19:07)
>> Brienzer Rothorn Ridge Trail – more challenging (20:04)
>> Spring flower trails – (23:00)
>> Gelmersee hike – (26:30)
Useful Resources
Swiss Family Fun offers advice and detailed information for anyone planning to hike in Switzerland. Beginner or experienced hiker, children or no children, on mountain peaks or in the lowlands, you will find a hike that’s just right for you.
For additional information to help with your trip planning, you can find comprehensive travel guides on the regions Tanya discusses in the podcast on the following links:
Share the Swiss travel love
Never miss an episode! Make sure you follow the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast to get notified each time a new episode is published.
If you enjoy the Holidays to Switzerland Travel Podcast and find it helpful, please leave us a 5 star rating or review. This will enable us to reach and help more travellers who are planning their own trip to Switzerland. Thanks for your support.
>> To see all podcast episodes, click here.
Planning a trip to Switzerland?
At Holidays to Switzerland we are passionate about sharing our love of Switzerland and helping you to plan the perfect trip. Read our guide to planning a trip to Switzerland to kick start your travel plans and join our free Switzerland Travel Planning group on Facebook to chat with other past and future travellers.
Want monthly news and podcast updates, helpful travel tips and special deals sent straight to your inbox? Subscribe to Holidays to Switzerland and we’ll send you a bonus copy of our 21 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit Switzerland guide.
🇨🇭 Check out our exclusive discount offers and save on your Swiss vacation. 🇨🇭
