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Train to GORNERGRAT, Zermatt, Switzerland
GORNERGRAT mountain is easily reached by the Gornergrat cog railway from Zermatt. All the way up, the view to Matterhorn, over Zermatt, to lakes and glaciers is changing dramatically during the 9 km long and winding track until the Gornergrat railway station is reached at 3089 meters a.s.l. after just over half an hour. Before leaving the station we enjoyed the direct view to Matterhorn,…
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Christmas in Gruyères, medieval village, Switzerland
CHRISTMAS market in Gruyères, a really small but cosy market in the beautiful medieval town. Apart from the castle and other old buildings, Gruyères is mainly known, all over the World, for the extraordinary fine cheese made here. This was also another good reason for us to visit Gruyères again. Most of the many restaurants are serving delicious cheese-fondue in all “stink-levels” 😉 , a…
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CAUMASEE
CAUMASEE, Lake Cauma, near Flims and Chur, is among the most photographed lakes in Switzerland. And no wonder. Easy access on a paved path, and even a funicular for the last and steep part of the short walk, let all reach this “jewel of Flims” in a few minutes from the parking lot in Flims. The water shines in turquoise colours, and during summer it…
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Klewenalp
KLEWENALP is a relatively small mountain, about 1600 meters above sea level, with the highest point being the Klewenstock with 1748 meters. We went there on thebrightest possible sunny day in August. Apart from another Swiss mountain experience, we wanted to hike the Alpine Flower Track, a short and nearly flat, but interesting hike. Up to 120 different, some of them very rare, alpine flowers…
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Niesen
11.674 steps, the longest stairway in the world, then you are there, on the top of Niesen, a mountain with the shape of a pyramid, 2.362 meters above sea level. Well, this is only allowed once per year, during the Niesen Race, so we also had to (luckily) take the 2-section funicular rail. The track and waggons began service in 1910 but is still looking…
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The orchard
KIWI trees was honestly something we had never seen before, and not expected to see in this part of Europe. But after a short hike in the orchard by the greengrocer Wenz (there are three routes, one for apples, one for pears and one for plums), we saw at least two kiwi trees, not in pots or protected areas, no, just in open space. Like…
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Baumwipfelpfad
Tree Top Walk, or in German: Baumwipfelpfad, is an interesting way to see a forest from a completely different perspective. This is possible in many locations all over Europe, mainly in Germany but also in Switzerland. Just google “baumwipfelpfad” and you will find a long list of options. We tried a Baumwipfelpfad in Switzerland, close to Mogelsberg. A 500 meters long track with a look…
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Lago Maggiore
BRISSAGO is often our base for visits by Lago (lake) Maggiore. It’s perfect for mountain trips, lots of options for boat tours and a shopping day in Ascona. We stay at the Parkhotel Brenscino Brissago. It has a wonderful view over Brissago and the lake from all rooms, the restaurant as well as from the very nice pool area. The hotel is situated in its…
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The Lighthouse
A LIGHTHOUSE in the middle of the mountains, 2046 meters above sea level, is not a common tourist sight – or common in any sense at all perhaps. But, it’s there, inaugurated 2010 as a slightly smaller copy of the lighthouse at the other end of the Rhine at Hook of Holland near Rotterdam. The lighthouse has a revolving red light but is probably just…
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Loo with a view
PROBABLY one of the most beautiful locations for a loo!!? After the thrilling experience at the Cliff Walk by Tissot (see the previous post) we went for a hike from Schreckfeld to the restaurant at Grosse Scheidegg and back. The hike is just under 9,5 km in total, following a wide road in very good, mostly paved, condition with little elevation. Lots of ice cold…
