Epic Alpine Adventure
Images: North Face trail; Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg; a self-service hut on the North Face trail; Cows in the valley.
Epic Adventures in Lauterbrunnen
Days 7-9 of tour
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Wandering the valley, enjoying the waterfalls
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King's view gondola to Mannlichen
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Walks along the ridges of both sides of the valley.
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Cows!
How many miles I walked
Sunday (Day 7): 5.49
Monday (Day 8): 12.65 (most on tour)
Tuesday(Day 9): 8.68
Tip: Swiss wine is incredibly good. Buy yourself some to take home. It's so good, they drink it all and don't export.
A View to a Kill
This tour had several veteran Rick Steves travelers, and all the buzz was about this stop. Cary filled much of the ride from Fussen by going over our options. When she came through the bus, she stopped a little longer at each row to chat. After all, we had two days to fill!
Our first full day I took a walk through the valley - we stayed in Lauterbrunnen. I thought that the light would be good for photos (not quite true - top). After climbing behind one of the waterfalls, and winding back and forth over the river, I headed to the opposite end of town. I took the train up to Wengen. For my gondola ride to Mannlichen, I opted for the king's view atop the gondola. Worth the extra francs! (Second row, left.)
In Mannlichen, I got a nice surprise - snow! (below text, arrival on gondola.) It dotted the first part of the path, and I was glad for my layers, hat and gloves. I started the walk
in the clouds/fog (second row, right), but it soon cleared enough to see the peaks (third row). I had seen these peaks before from the top of Mt. Pilatus. But walking along this ridge path, valley below, peaks changing position as the path moved, well, it was an experience. (You might call it epic!)
One note about the Mannlichen to Kleine Scheidigg walk - the view may be so distracting that you forget to pay attention to the path. Vorsicht! (caution)
At Kleine Scheidigg, I ran into a couple of my tourmates and saw for myself the mud caked on their boots. Apparently one of the trails required some better equipment. Seeing the mess added to the stories they told at happy hour that night at the hotel. A great first day in Switzerland!
Note: while the Bond reference in the headline links to the Bond movie set atop the Schilthorn (Piz Gloria), I didn't make it there. That and Trummelbach Falls top the list for my return.
Images: Waterfall in the valley; King's View of Wengen; Start of walk; after the sky cleared; and arrival at Mannlichen.
Snack Shop
Hungry on your hike? If you didn't bring a picnic, then there's usually a hut along the path. Many are full service, though the one pictured at the top of the page was honor system. So civilized.
This one was my favorite - a vending machine with farm-fresh milk, cheese, and fruit syrups and jellies. Those five-franc coins have a good use!
At the top of the Allmendhubel funnicular
Playground at the top of the world
Another beautiful morning in the beautiful town of Lauterbrunnen. Today, one of my tourmates and I teamed up to explore the other side. We navigated the gondola and train to Murren (second row, left) and walked around the town. In mid-September, also a Tuesday, many of the shops were closed. But you could easily imagine spending a day here in a cafe, taking in the view.
Our goal, though, was the top of the Allmendhubel lift (fourth row, right, the track). For kids, they have a playground and nature garden at the top. For adults, miles of trails and never-ending epic views (top of section).
We took the North Face trail, which descended by a farm wound past huts and cut through and around cow pastures. (at right, top pictures)
This trail was fairly quiet, except for the clang of cowbells. The path was hilly and steep in places, but I had gotten my mountain legs (or, more likely lungs). Still, Austin and I opted not to descend into Gimmelwald. (Actually we decided not to walk back up.) I will have to visit this Rick Steves favorite next time.
This was a lovely day, topped off by some ice cream and shopping back in the valley. It was almost easy to forget that we had only one more destination left. The tour couldn't be over if we never left here, right?
Images:
Row 1: On the North Face trail
Row 2: Murren
Row 3: Swiss flag with mountain backdrop, flowers in Murren
Row 4: Allmendhubel funicular
Row 5, below: Artsy wildflowers, belted cow
A Few Extras!
I packed a lot into my 2 1/2 days in Lauterbrunnen. And I took a lot of pictures. Here are a few that didn't fit somewhere else. (Apparently, they all deserved exclamation points too.)
First, some raclette. Thanks to Roxanne and Savvy who basically led me to dinner. I was so tired that night!
Second, a loud flap, and you look up to see someone floating through the sky - a base jumper!
Third, Edelweiss. <3 (This is a heart for those of you who didn't text before emojis!)
Finally, the waterfall lit up at night. It's a beautiful view, and you might keep your balcony door open for it!
Lucerne
On the way to Lauterbrunnen, we made a surprise stop in Lucerne. Cathy and Dave bravely volunteered to accompany me to my favorite sad place in Europe - the Lowendenkmal. The lion carved into the mountain agonizes over the fate of the Swiss guard, who died during the French Revolution, defending the king and their honor.
Also - two familiar scences from Lake Lucerne.
