This winter my friends and I had the pleasure to go on a snowshoe trip with Famke in the beautiful Aosta Valley in Italy. Famke had planned and arranged the trip carefully beforehand, taking into account every possible situation that could be encountered, in order for us to feel completely safe and secure, which we did. Famke designed our tour to be a perfect mixture of physical effort and some well-deserved pampering.

Famke is a very competent and pleasant mountain leader. She knows where to go and also where not to go. She does not take any risks, but has a talent to find the most beautiful places off the beaten track. During the trail, Famke made sure everybody was feeling ok and she adjusted the pace if necessary. The company of her loyal companion, Woodstock the mountain dog, made our trip complete.

If you wish to enjoy a hiking holiday in the mountains with friends or family, in winter or summer, I strongly recommend you ask Famke to be your guide. She will definitely add value and fun to your holiday. “

The snowshoetrip in Italy was just amazing! I’ll try to sum it up in a few words, but they really don’t do it justice… Serene peace in the mountains, wonderful company with my fellow hikers and Famke, lots of laughter (also thanks to Woody)  and delicious Italian food. The perfect balance of effort and total relaxation in the spa at the final hotel. Highly recommended!

I actually only knew the Alps for skiing and had never done a snowshoe hike before. I wanted to try something different and I absolutely loved it! It’s active but also very relaxed, and you’re truly in nature! Definitely worth repeating! Thank you for this amazing experience, Famke!

I had a wonderful little adventure with Famke, she is a great guide and even brought home-made cookies and hot beverages on the trail for a little picnic.

Great experience!

Very profesional, flexibly and she enjoys to unveil authentic spots in the mountains.

You can feel that she loves Nature and that she really likes to share with people.

Thanks a lot Famke.

Had an amazing winter hike in Verbier with friends and our dog Sasha. The views were breathtaking, and we hardly saw anyone else. Famke and her dog Woody make a fantastic team. I’m already looking forward to the next trip! Thank you, you two wonderful beings.

Last week we had a lovely trek with Famke and her beautiful dog Woodstock! Famke is so knowledgeable, friendly and fantastic company to explore the Swiss mountains with. Would strongly recommend her tours!

A super mountain guide who can guide you around the mountains safely. Olle, her dog was very welcoming to my dog too when we both joined for a Thursday morning hike. I highly recommend to anyone who is looking for a nice way to spend time in nature

Famke and her dog Olle are great companions to explore the Swiss mountains. On top of being very professional and knowledgeable, she is a very nice person! Highly recommended!

Famke is a very well prepared guide, who adjust the trip / tour to the level and condition of her guests. She is a pleasant company with a no-nonsense attitude and her very sweet and tough dog, Olle is really an addition to the company .

Besides a nice hike through a fantastic environment, you can have good conversations, or just enjoy the silence and maybe (as in our case) encounter a gems or deer!

Last Thursday I went on a wonderful snowshoeing hike with Famke & Olle in the beautiful mountain of the Jura! It was my first time on snowshoes and I loved it, walking with such ease over the snow covered paths. It was also my first time in the Jura and Famke told us a lot of interesting details about the geology, the flora and fauna To top it off, we were served hot tea and homemade muffins when we actually reached the top – with amazing views on Lac Leman and the Mont Blanc Please join Famke and her super sweet dog Olle on one of her weekly hikes – every Thursday morning – or book a custom made hike with this lovely, enthusiastic and energetic (certified) mountain guide

Hiking is about you, nature and hopefully someone else who loves being out as much as you do. Famke loves what she does… and you can tell. I would recommend hiking with her to anyone who’s interested in connecting with the overwhelming beauty of nature. Also… hiking is just a great way of meeting nice people.

Thanks a lot Famke!

See you soon!

Famke is truly an amazing guide!!

If you are thinking to book a custom made outdoor trip in the beautiful alpine landscape with your friends or family I 100% recommend going through her!!

We went on a family 2-night camping trip last summer to see the majestic Bella Tolla. It was the first camping adventure for the rest of my family so I was a little nervous and curious to see if they would like it and it was absolutely perfect thanks to Famke!

All the (secret) spots we walked through were breathtaking and her knowledge of the alpine flora and fauna added a lot to the experience. She is just a really kind and funny human that immediately makes you feel like the mountains could become your second home. I think we all learned a lot from her stories.

The walking pace was also ideal for my parents and she made it very diversified so that we stayed once camping outdoors near a nice mountain lac and once in a very cosy mountain hotel.

I think my family and I all agree this was a truly memorable weekend outing and that it is going to be hard to too that this summer!

Thanks to Famke, we had a fantastic hike in the snow. We even saw our favourite mountain goat, the Chamois!

Famke knows all the beautiful spots and she is such a nice guide, great company to spent your day with.

thanks for the lovely hike.

In the summer of 2023 I did the Tour de Mont Fallère. I had no experience with walking in the mountains and it was the first time I did a hut-to-hut tour, but it was a perfect introduction into the world of hiking. It was a beautiful tour with breathtaking views of the high peaks in the Italian and Swiss Alps. The landscape was amazing and at the end of the day cozy huts with comforting Italian food awaited us. All of this organized by Famke, who is not only a very experienced and professional mountain guide but also good company together with Woody 🙂

Last September, together with a group of 5 other women, I joined Famke on a 3 day wild camping trip through the Swiss Alps.

Famke had prepared an amazing hike – with great detail – that guided us through this journey. During this journey she was not only guiding us the way, but also monitoring our progress – making sure we we ok at all times. Famke is a true source of so much knowledge on the area, but also an example of how to live hand in hand with nature and the mountains. She showed us several amazing spots during those hikes, where we could, rest, revigourate and relax.

She shared with us her love for the mountains – and made me realise how much energy they bring and how amazing it is to spend time in them.
So I already booked Famke for another memorable trip !

I just spent a few wonderful days hiking in the mountains with Famke again. She always finds the most beautiful trails with few people and adjusts the hikes to match the fitness level of the group and the weather conditions. I’m also thrilled with the photos she took! I can’t wait for this winter when I’ll be going on a snowshoeing adventure with her and her lovely dog, Woody!

This summer, my family and I embarked on an unforgettable multi-day trekking in the Swiss Alps. We spent a night in a mountain bivouac on the bank of a glacier and another night wild camping beside a stunning alpine lake.

It was a great experience, which I would recommend to everyone who’s in for a bit of adventure.

Thank you, Famke!

Famke took us on an amazing hike end of last season. With a group of five, including two 11 year olds, we hiked up to a beautiful lake where we camped out and enjoyed the peace an beauty of the mountains and spectacular views.

Famke knows very well what an appropriate route is for a family, how to pace the walk and keep also children motivated – a real skill!!

Waking up ‘in the wild’ was a new and unique experience for the children and they’ve often asked us when we are going again.

Thank you Famke!

Famke is an amazing Mountain Leader! Famke and her dog Woody are the best team to guide you through the mountains. Famke took us to the most amazing spots where we spent the night under the stars.

She really knows and loves the mountains and makes sure that there is a good balance between relaxation and stamina. Be ready to drink water from a lake, sunrise dip in the dark and freezing morning, eat pre-packed food and peanut butter&jelly on toast. It’s unforgettable!

In August 2023, we embarked on a remarkable 3-day wild camping trip under the expert guidance of Famke. She proved to be an exceptional mountain leader, demonstrating extensive knowledge of the trails, mountains, weather, flora, and fauna, all while infusing the journey with her delightful sense of humor. Accompanied by her trusty companion, Woody, Famke transformed our mountain getaway into an unforgettable adventure.

Throughout the trip, we always felt secure, even in the face of a powerful thunderstorm. Famke was consistently available for assistance, seamlessly taking charge when the situation demanded it.

I am so grateful for this amazing and memorable trip and already looking forward to the next adventure with Famke & Woody!

To celebrate my wife’s 60th birthday, we’ve asked Famke to organize a trekking with an outdoor dinner in the Jura mountains. Famke carefully thought out the trekking taking into account our mixed fitness and interests- including a small dog. She hired a chef who prepared a special menu, cooked on site in a lovely surrounding

The 2nd experience we had with Famke was a hike in the Verbier area with another couple with their two children. The walk was longer and more demanding and Famke made sure we were all going at a pace we were comfortable with. At no point, did we ever feel pressured to go faster, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable. Famke organised a picnic with delicious local food and wines, with a magnificent view.

Famke has a fantastic local knowledge of Swiss mountains and made sure we were all informed of facts and points of interest along the way.

If you are looking for a nice hike in the mountains, I would definitely recommend Famke.
In fact, I already did to several friends and colleagues.

If you want to unwind and de-stress, try Mountful Hikes! I had an absolutely delightful time hiking in the Swiss Alps with Famke van der Elst and her dog Woody. I returned physically tired but completely satisfied, and mentally rejuvenated!

About the Tour des Muverans : An epic experience and very nice to share this with Famke and the other participants. We’ve created unforgettable memories.

Famke brings you to place you would never have found yourself. She is a guide who plots out a track which suits to your level and interests. I will recommend all my guests to book a trip with her to get the most of their stay in the Alps.

This summer, we took our 2 sons for their first real mountain hike. Our sons (8 and 10) turned out to be naturals and kept running out ahead of us. That was followed by a bit of climbing; fortunately, there were chains that we could hold on to to pull ourselves up.

At the top of the mountain, with its impressive view of the Mont Blanc on one side and Lake Geneva and the Jura Mountains on the other, we enjoyed our picnic! (It’s amazing how delicious a simple cheese sandwich and a bottle of water can be…)

Without Famke we would never have dared do this, but we’re so glad we did! Our kids are still talking about it, and we will definitely be going back for another beautiful mountain hike with Famke and her dog Olle.

We might even choose a hut-to-hut tour this year!

Last autumn, we went out on a 3-day hike in the French Alps with Famke (and Olle). On the first day, we looked for chanterelles that we used to make a delicious pasta later that evening.

The second day, we went to a different part of the valley, where we saw whole herds of ibex from up close. Very cool! And on the last day, we went for a mountain hike with a gorgeous view of Lake Geneva. Famke takes you places that you would never find on your own. We highly recommend going mountain hiking with Famke!

Last summer, Famke and Olle took me on a trek of discovery. My first steps in the mountains followed the Tour des Muverans. It was a magnificent trek with a different landscape every day, and Famke guided me along the most beautiful paths and to the best huts. With a combination of knowledge, wisdom, and humour, she taught me the basics of being in the mountains.

It was wonderful! Thank you, Fam, I’m already planning my next trip!

We love mountain hiking, but teenagers have to break through a barrier before they learn to appreciate it. This summer, Famke took us and our three children (our 14-year-old twin daughters and 16-year-old son) on a number of beautiful mountain hikes. The great thing about having a guide is that you can really get much more out of your holiday than when you go up into the mountains alone. A guide can tell you everything about the mountains, the flowers, the animals, and all kinds of other interesting things!

But the best thing was the night that Famke took us to a young farmer at the top of the mountain. He makes his own cheese and, every evening, he and his mother serve the most authentic raclette you can imagine! And what an adventure to walk back down the mountain at night under the starry skies. The kids loved it and so did we!