When we looked at the forecast yesterday it didn't look that great for today....but as has been the case for our entire trip, things went our way. We woke up to yet another beautiful sunny day. While having our breakfast we spoke to one of the hotel staff who had been following our daily adventures. We told her that we wanted to do a good hike today...she went and fetched a map of an area that I hadn't been before, but was interested in. She told us that it was quite nice and that there were a lot of different trails we could take. We studied the map as we finished our breakfast then went and geared up with a plan in mind.
We took the cable car up to Grutschalp where we started our hike. The first part of the trail was through the forest. It reminded us very much of some trails we have done in BC. Lots of trees, and lots of big moss covered rocks.
The trail started going up and eventually we started to work our way out of the forest and into a very lush sub-alpine meadow.
We got to an intersection in the trail, and sure enough, there were trails going every which way. The plain yellow signs are walking trails (Wanderwegs), the ones with the red and white stripes are the mountain trails (Bergwanderwegs). Of course you know which way we went :-)
We had decided to go up to the Lobhornhutte...all we knew was the name on the map, and nothing else. To get there we had to cross a gorgeous meadow with a big stream running through it.
From here we started climbing, then we climbed some more, and then some more. The trail was great and the views kept getting better and better the higher we went.
We continued to climb, making our way around a huge rock structure called The Ars, lol. Eventually we emerged into what I can only describe as a Hobbit valley. Green everywhere, and rocks and boulders strewn about like a giant playground. Of course there was a river running down through it, with several waterfalls. I took many pictures there, here are a few of them
We stopped at a farmers hut to fill our hydration packs. All of the cows here wear bells, and the prize winning cows are awarded with big championship bells. Here are some on display, the dates of some of them are back into the 1800's
We kept climbing and eventually reached a nice little alpine lake.....of course, the cows were there too - these guys get around!
We continued to climb
Eventually we reached the Lobhornhutte. Now mountain huts in Switzerland aren't just little shelters to get you out of the weather. At the mountain huts here you can always get drink and a meal, you can also spend the night if you like. There are also mountain hotels which can get very big with dozens of rooms to stay in. We decided that it would be nice to stop for a drink and something to eat. We had a local beer (we've had a lot of it this trip) and a great bowl of soup made with Sherry, fresh bread and some incredible mountain cheese.
The views from the mountain hut were spectacular no matter which way you looked
Even the mountain washrooms in Switzerland have a nice view....
One last look before starting the hike down
We both agreed that this was our favourite spot so far, and that the pictures don't really do it justice. You have to come here to experience this in person!
We took a different route back down the mountain, through the Hobbit Lands, past big waterfalls, and even running into so critters that seemed so out of place....
We eventually made it back to our little village to have nice hot showers, grab a bite to eat and settle in for the night. Right now I'm sitting outside on our patio, blogging, with Staubbach Falls all lit up behind me. This was an amazing day, and a great way to end August. Tomorrow is our last day in Switzerland.....what final adventures will await us, stay tuned and see.
