As the first rays of light paint the sky in pink and orange, you awaken in the rustic charm of a mountain hut. When you get up, the panorama outside the hut unfolds before you – majestic peaks cloaked in a blanket of mist, and the distant call of birds awakening to a new day. The air is crisp, and the subtle scent and sound of breakfast being prepared on the lower floor of the hut raises your excitement for the day to come.
Reflecting on the day before, you can already see the growth of your personal development. You came closer to your personal goal, guided by the questions and exercises that were given to you. The support of the guides and the other participants inspired you to go on, to climb higher and to dive deeper. The experiences shared have already created a bond with the rest of the group, and you look forward to the path that lies ahead.
When you step outside after a hearty breakfast, you realize that the mountain isn’t just a physical entity but a mirror reflecting your inner landscape. You can relate the moments of doubt along the trail to life’s uncertainties, while reaching the summit shows the achievement that awaits when you dare to venture beyond your comfort zone. You eagerly embrace the assignments that are given to you. As you join the group on the trail, the answers to your personal and professional questions become clearer, like clouds dissolving around the mountain tops. You feel confident and strong, ready to take the next step towards your goal.
Welcome to GivenInNature. Welcome to the mountain trail of your life.
“A journey I will never forget.”
“Hiking the trail with GivenInNature gave me strength and insights and brought back deep feelings of pleasure, fun, love and a sense of freedom. As a group we quickly formed a unity in which there was room for each individual. There was an open, friendly, genuinely interested and safe atmosphere. Everything exceeded my expectations!”
– Cindy, hiked the mountain trail of her life
The mountain trail of your life
In our fast moving world and busy lives, it can be difficult to allow yourself the time to reflect on where and who you are, and to truly work on your personal goals and challenges. GivenInNature gives you the opportunity to work on your personal leadership while enjoying an authentic mountain trail experience.
If you are seeking a moment of reflection, a deeper understanding of yourself or guidance in a decision you have to make, and you enjoy mountains and hiking, then this trail is made for you. Over five days, you will trek with a group of open-minded and adventurous people through the Rätikon mountains to enjoy nature and fully harness the power of the mountains. The fresh air, challenges, silence, and breathtaking views will quickly detach you from your daily life, allowing your thoughts to wander freely to new insights and perspectives.
On this trip, we combine physical activity with personal development. There will be time to reflect on why you do what you do, where you stand in life and where you want to go. Guided by experienced mountaineers and coaches, you will enjoy the full experience of an alpine mountain trail while gaining new insights that will support you in reaching your personal or professional goals.
About Us
We are Ineke & Marc, two former students of Eindhoven Technical University who connected years later in our mutual passion for the mountains and personal development. We believe in the power of the mountains. They offer us connection, peace of mind, challenges and new perspectives, to name a few. It is our mission to share this power with you and a group of like minded people, using your experiences on the trail as inspiration for your personal and professional development.
Ineke: I moved to Switzerland in 2020, a dream that came true much faster than expected. Hiking, cycling, mountain biking or skiing; when the mountain is there, I will be there. I work as a Business Partner at Roche, am trained as a Co-Active Coach and have an infinite interest in human behavior, local food and wine and sustainable mountain sports.
Marc: I fell in love with the mountains as an 8 year old boy and travel there as often as possible. Hiking, climbing and mountain biking are a few of my outdoor passions. In 2012 I founded my company in training and coaching, and have been supporting individuals and organizations in their personal and professional leadership ever since.
Why should you join this leadership program? This mountain experience is right for you, if you:
- Want to experience the true mountain life by hiking for 3 days in a row and sleeping in authentic mountain huts.
- Are looking for the time and peace to reflect on yourself, your life and your goals.
- Want to work on your personal and/or professional development, guided by professional coaches.
- Are willing to look at yourself honestly and are open to share your experiences with others.
- Are open minded to spend 5 days in the mountains with a group of like minded people.
- Wish to spend active time in an inspiring, natural environment with fresh air and breathtaking views.
- Are in condition to hike for 6 hours a day while carrying your own backpack. Mountaineering experience is not required.
- Are prepared to step outside your comfort zone to grow in your personal leadership.
- Are looking for a good time with fun and laughter, and an experience you will remember for the rest of your life!
The Trail
The trail is located in Rätikon, a mountain range in the Central Eastern Alps, at the border between Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein. While hiking the trail you will cross the Swiss / Austrian border and spend the night in a mountain hut on both sides of the border. One of the icons of the region is the Sulzfluh, a 2.817 m high peak that will be part of the trail if the weather and fitness of the group allow it.
Difficulty & Fitness
The difficulty of the trail is graded T2: well marked (red/white) mountain paths that don’t require climbing or mountaineering experience. The trail consists of three consecutive hiking days, with several options to adapt to the weather and fitness of the group. If you are able to hike for 6 hours while carrying your own backpack, you can fully enjoy the trail.
Stages
The stages will be adapted to the weather and fitness of the group. Ideally they will look like this:
- Day 1: St. Antönien to Berghaus Sulzfluh, including the Chüenihorn (2.412 m). 16,5 kilometers, 1.050 m ascent, 700 m descent.
- Day 2: Berghaus Sulzfluh to Tilisunahütte, including the Sulzfluh (2.817 m). 9,0 kilometers, 1.000 m ascent, 550 m descent.
- Day 3: Tilisunahütte to Partnun, including the Rotspitz (2.516 m). 14,0 kilometers, 730 m ascent, 1.500 m descent. Bus or step to St. Antönien.
Wednesday July 2nd
We meet at 15:00 in Sonja’s Michelshof in the Swiss mountain village of St. Antoniën. After a refreshing welcome drink we will start the program with a personal introduction and an introduction to the program of the days to come. We will also do some final preparations for the hike and check our backpacks. Afterwards there will be enough time to freshen up before we enjoy a three-course dinner and each others company in the stube of the hotel.
Thursday July 3th
After breakfast, we pack our bags and start our trail into the mountains. Today we will explore a wide range of mountain scenery, including lush forests, alpine trails and mountain lakes. On the way, questions and assignments to reflect on your origins will support you in taking the first steps towards your personal goals. If the weather is good and we’re in the mood for an additional climb, we have the possibility to add a detour to a smaller peak. At the end of today’s trail we descent to Berhaus Sulzfluh, where we will reflect on the first day, followed by a three-course dinner and a beautiful sunset behind the mountain tops.
Friday July 4th
The second hiking day starts with a basic but filling breakfast in the mountain hut. After departure we climb into rougher alpine terrain, with impressive views all around us. Today we will cross the border into Austria, where the Tilisunahütte awaits us. The Sulzfluh is the centerpiece of the area and our 2nd day. Depending on our fitness and the weather, we can either go around it or climb to the top of this iconic mountain (2.817 m). Like the previous day, you will receive personal assignments to deepen your understanding of your current life and personal journey. At the Tilisunahütte (2.211 m), we might need some refreshments as we wrap up the day with a collective reflection on the lessons learned. Once again, the mountain hut crew will serve us a three-course dinner, and we can count on another unforgettable sunset to close the day.
Saturday July 5th
The last hiking day is all about answering the question of where to go. It will offer you perspective so that you can make new plans for your future. As we’ve experienced in the days before, nature and great views facilitate deep thinking and a sense of freedom. The Tilisunahütte will provide us a good breakfast before we set out. We will need the energy because the physical training of the past few days will have its impact and be noticeable. Today’s trail first brings us back to Switzerland, and from there, we have several options to add another peak or to descend easily.
In Partnun, we can use unmotorized scooters to roll back down to St. Antönien. There, we will once again stay at Sonja’s place, where she will extend a warm welcome and prepare a great dinner for a memorable end to the trip. As a group we will reflect on the last couple of days and toast to our victories and new found insights!
Sunday July 6th
After a good night’s sleep, you will wake up surrounded by the beautiful mountains of Rätikon for the last time on this trip. Together we will enjoy a final breakfast, after which we will say our goodbyes. Some people will travel back home together, while others might continue their journey: feel free to make your own plans this morning that fit your travel schedule.
Accomodation
The accommodations along the trail have been carefully selected to give you an authentic mountain experience. All accommodations use local products for our breakfast and dinner, and are run by local families. In the Carschinahütte there are no shower facilities.
- Sonja’s Michelshof: Michelschhofstrasse 4, 7246 St. Antönien. Phone number +41 81 330 56 56.
- Berghaus Sulzfluh: Phone number +41 81 332 12 13.
- Tilisunahütte: Phone number +43 66 414 72 896.
Price
GivenInNature is a non commercial initiative. Therefore we offer our program for the non profit price of € 825. All income will be used to cover the costs of the program. Should any profit remain, this will be donated to a charity that supports the preservation and development of mountaineering villages (“Bergsteigerdörfer”) in the Alps.
If payment is made by a Dutch company, we can offer you a proof of payment (without VAT) instead of an invoice.
Included
The following is included in the price:
- A 5 day program of world class hiking and personal leadership.
- Guidance by two experienced mountaineers and professional coaches.
- 2 nights in a hotel with a double bedroom (shared) with private shower and toilet.
- 1 night in a hotel with a double bedroom (shared) with shared shower and toilet.
- 1 night in a traditional mountain dorm in a mountain hut.
- 4x three-course diner in the hotel and mountain huts; vegetarian options are available.
- 4x breakfast in the hotel and mountain huts.
- Welcome drinks in the hotel on the first day.
- Celebration drinks in the hotel on the final day.
- Individual coaching (1 hour, optional) after finishing the trail.
Excluded
The following is not included in the price and should be arranged individually:
- Transportation to and from Switzerland.
- Any additional accommodations before or after the program.
- Travel insurance that covers hiking in the mountains.
- All hiking equipment – see ‘Preparation’ for a recommended packing list.
- All lunch and snacks on the hiking days. Lunch can be bought in the village and in the mountain huts.
- All drinks in the hotel and mountain huts.
Travel Options
Transportation to and from Switzerland can be arranged individually or together with other participants of the group. We strongly encourage you to travel as environmentally friendly as possible. For Dutch participants we recommend the Nightjet from Utrecht to Basel or Zürich, then the train to Küblis and from Küblis you can take bus 222 to St. Antönien Platz. Sonja’s Michelshof is a 15 minutes walk away from the bus station .
Should you decide to travel by car, make sure you have a valid vignette for Switzerland.
Usefull links
Visit the following websites to plan your trip:
- Nightjet – NS night train.
- NS International – Regular trains from the Netherlands to Switzerland.
- ÖOB – Regularly has better prices than Nightjet / NS International.
- PostBus – Bus connections and tickets from Küblis to St. Antoniën.
- ANWB – Vignette for Switzerland.
- Parking – Car Parking in St. Antoniën. (P2 or P21 – approx. CHF 10 / day).
Preparation
Any successful trail starts with a successful preparation. Weather in the mountains can change quickly, so bringing the right equipment is key to a fun and safe experience. You can use this PDF as a packing list for our program:
We will bring the following items, although feel free to bring (and carry) your own:
- First Aid Kit.
- Topographical map of the area.
- Compass.
- Emergency blanket.
Additional Preparation
Please make sure to:
- Take care of your physical and mental fitness before starting the trail.
- Arrange a travel insurance that covers hiking in the mountains. For Dutch hikers we recommend the NKBV-insurance.
- Give our phone numbers and the phone numbers of the hotel and mountain huts to your contact person at home.
Important
Please read the following information and make sure you are in full agreement with the following statements if you want to join the trail:
- The maximum group size is 7 participants + 2 guides (Ineke & Marc).
- The spoken language will depend on the nationalities present in the group, and will mainly be Dutch or English.
- Although we do have a lot of mountaineering experience and are both trained to provide first aid, we are no trained or licensed mountain guides.
- We avoid risk by staying on the red-white marked hiking trails and on terrain that is accessible without certified mountain guides. Attending the trail is always at your own risk and responsibility.
- You are responsible for your own hiking equipment. Good, worn-in hiking boots and a (hardshell) rain jacket are mandatory to join the trail. Other tips are presented on the packing list.
- In the mountain huts, it is obligatory to use a sleeping bag liner and a pillowcase. In most cases, they are for sale in the huts, but we recommend bringing your own.
- A valid travel insurance that covers hiking in the mountains is mandatory. For Dutch hikers we recommend the NKBV-insurance.
- Make sure you are familiar and in agreement with the Privacy Statement and Terms & Conditions, including the Cancellation Policy.
Contact Details
- Marc: marc@giveninnature.com | +31 6 45 77 85 96
- Ineke: ineke@giveninnature.com | + 31 6 40 91 69 95
