Valldemossa’s Hidden Gem: The Scenic Camí de s’Arxiduc Trail
Camí de s’Arxiduc — a phenomenal panoramic ridge walk above the coastline and mountains near Valldemossa.
We followed the historic trail created by austrian Archduke Ludwig Salvator, the aristocrat and naturalist who developed and created this route in the 19th century. He seemed to be someone who had a vision for nature preservation.
The walk began and ended among quiet olive groves. After a steep climb of around 600 meters, the spectacular stone path emerged along the mountain ridges and continued for most of the route. The panoramic views across the sea, coastline, and Tramuntana mountains were extraordinary.
Toward the final section, Philippe chose to avoid another uphill climb, while I continued up to the refuge on the ridge to enjoy the sweeping views alone.
The protected landscape felt peaceful and remarkably quiet throughout the walk.
Afterwards, we stopped in the breezy main square of Valldemossa for drinks and almond cake, one of Mallorca’s traditional specialties, which brought the day to a perfect close and made it especially memorable.
CAP DE FORMENTOR – spectacular but packed
Today’s destination was the spectacular northern tip of Mallorca: Formentor. The lighthouse stands at the very end of the peninsula, reached after a 40-minute drive from Pollença. Philippe had already seen the lighthouse several times while sailing with friends, but this time we approached it by road.
Read MoreScenic Hike from Cúber to Puig de l’Ofre: A Mallorca Adventure
Day 2: A panoramic hike from Cúber to Puig de l’Ofre
12 km, 500 m ascent, 5 hours
Today’s highlight was the spectacular panorama over the Tramuntana mountains, the turquoise waters of the Cúber reservoir, and the distant port of Sóller.
The rugged mountain landscape felt remarkably wild and untouched. The hike itself was fairly demanding, with several sections requiring careful navigation across rocky terrain. Without GPS, it would have been easy to lose the trail.
Read MorePort Sóller – Mallorca
A quiet evening walk around the port of Sóller quickly turned into something entirely unexpected. We arrived right in the middle of the extremely loud local festival, complete with firecrackers, smoke, and massive crowds. For quite a while, we could not even reach our hotel because the streets were completely packed.
Read MoreMaja’s birthday hike to the Mogote Mountain in Jarabacoa
My friend Maja and I began hiking two years ago in the Dominican Republic, with the Mogote trail as our first route in the region. Guillermo, Larissa, and Georgina joined us for a six-hour ascent and descent, each involving roughly 950 meters of elevation gain. The path led through dense forest that provided essential shade.
This was no casual walk but a 3.5-hour ascent on a steep, narrow, rocky path. The summit delivered a full 360-degree panorama that justified the effort.
At the summit, we stopped to recover and take in the panorama. We ate, drank, and assumed the descent would be the easy part. In retrospect, another three hours of climbing may have been less punishing.
Thank you for this beautiful day in such great company. Despite the effort and the struggle, we never lost our good humor—or our laughter. May the record of this hike stand as a basis for future routes shared with the same clarity of purpose and companionship.
A Day in Nature: Happy Hiker Group’s Journey in Bonao
Our new international Happy Hiker group embarked on its inaugural outing to the scenic town of Bonao. Nestled between the Central Mountain Range and the Sierra de Yamasá, the Bonao Valley provided the perfect setting for our first adventure.
Read MoreVisita de los pediatras
¡Qué alegría inmensa y qué honor tan grande haber recibido en Suiza a nuestros queridísimos pediatras, Nuno y Roberto, acompañados de Tuta, Pilar y Carlos! Fueron días mágicos, llenos de risas, aventuras, exquisitas experiencias gastronómicas y momentos inolvidables, explorando encantadores pueblos, ciudades, montañas y la impresionante cascada del Rin.
Read MoreExploring Täschalp: A Hidden Gem Hike Near Zermatt
Täschalp 2157m – Täschhütte 2701m – Mellichbach – Täschalp
Philippe was looking for a less touristy hike around the bustling town of Zermatt. After enjoying a peaceful trek from Täschalp the previous day, where we encountered only a handful of other hikers, we decided to explore the quieter trails around Täsch.
Exploring Täschalp to Zermatt: Stunning Views Await
Täschalp 2157m – Tuftern – Sunnegga – Findeln – Winkelmatten 1672m
Philippe and I had walked this trail a few years ago when I did the famous Haute Route. Back then, we hiked all the way from Täsch (1449m) up to Täschalp (2157m), and it was seriously tough! This time, though, we took the Alpen bus, and in just 20 minutes, we were at the top without breaking a sweat. What a difference!
Read MoreMatterhorn Glacier Trail: A Winter Hike Adventure in early Autumn
Trockener Steg 2939m – Schwarzsee 2583m (Matterhorn Glacier Trail) – Stafel – Zmutt – Winkelmatten 1615m
It was freezing today, hovering around 0 degrees, when we set off on our hike. My hands and feet were instantly cold, and after such a long stretch of warm summer weather, the sudden drop in temperature really caught us off guard. We weren’t exactly prepared for it! There weren’t many other hikers around, probably because of the harsh weather, which gave the trail a quiet and almost eerie atmosphere. The rocky, barren landscape reminded me of a lunar surface, making the experience feel even more special in its own way.
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