Took the train from Grindelwald up to Alpiglen, leaving the development and (most of) the tourists behind… Grindelwald was hopping! (height of tourist season, Sunday, big mountain bike race, etc.) We would meet up with lots of tourists again at the base of the Eiger glacier (it`s also where the Jungfraujoch train takes people up to the `Top of Europe` just below Jungfrau peak…a very popular day trip) There were especially loads of tourists from India to Japan… like 80% (of the people we saw; not of Asia)
We opted for the higher Eiger Trail since we decided to skip the downhill after Eigergletscher to give our knees a rest, and to get to Wengen earlier. The Eiger trail was rugged but well maintained with a nice, high-country feel. It passed right below the main wall of the Eiger and had a great waterfall, a fun snow tunnel and again (sorry, but I think this is going to be a recurring theme) a stunning view. Out of all the views, my favorite was where we could see the valley with Grindelwald to the east, and the valley with Murren to the west, with the Eiger rising up behind us.
The train station and restaurant at Eigergletscher was reminiscent of the observation area just below the Matterhorn (in case you`ve been there or seen pictures). The Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau rose up right next to us, and the Eiger glacier could be reached in a short hike up from the train station.
One major difference wss the view down to Murren, which sits on a 3000 foot cliff – and we were 2000 feet above Murren!
From Eigergletscher we took the train down to Wengen. This small, care-free village (1000 population without tourists… many times that during summer and winter) is nestled on top a small cliff shelf overlooking the Lauterbrunnen valley. The views of Jungfrau and down into the Lauterbrunnen valley are nothing short of stunning.
The only traffic (besides pedestrians) are the electric taxis that serve the shops and hotels in town.
Tomorrow, we take the train to Lauterbrunnen (again, to save our knees and shorten the day by an hour or so). Lauterbrunnen valley is a box canyon, about half a mile wide with sheer cliffs rising thousands of feet on each side (upon which Murren sits). We`ll make a detour outside Lauterbrunnen to see Trummelbach Falls, again an iconic Alps sight. Then we`ll hike several hours through the valley and up to Obersteinberg. According to our guidebook, the Upper Lauterbrunnen valley is one of the most beautiful destinations in Switzerland (how we will top what we`ve already seen is beyond us). We`ll bass through a roadless landscape of forests, waterfalls and stunning mountain scenery. The back of the valley is a protected nature reserve. If we get lucky-er, we could see ibex, chamois and/or golden eagles.
Obersteinberg is a simple and remote mountain inn stting on a sunny slope just above the treeline. It has been an inn since the late 1800s and has been run for generations by the von Allmen family. It is a working farm; they make their own cheese by hand and serve milk, butter and cheese from their cows in the restaurant.
The reason I`m explaining all this now before I see the place is.. we`ll have no electricity! Just candles and oil lamps, indoor toilets and sinks but no showers. We are really looking forward to it (as we have each place we`ve gone); it`s been fun to experience both nice hotels and simple hostels, and I believe we are in for a treat at Obersteinberg.
So… we`ll be without internet for a couple of days; we`ll catch up with you after this next adventure!
Today`s hike:
About: 5 1/2 miles, 2400 feet up
Do you get the urge to start spinning around, with your arms open wide, singing “The Hills are Alive . . .with the sound of music . . .”? Thanks for sharing your journey through the blog!
My favorite!!!! I’ve thought about it several times butmim saving it for just the right high meadow….maybe I’ll even catch a church bell beginning to ring 🙂
You have us hooked. Even though we are on vacation, we make sure to log in and follow your wonderful journey. The pictures are so beautiful. And glad to hear that you have your butterfly jacket back! And yes, every picture reminds us of the sound of music too Can’t wait to see which is your favorite meadow.