Switzerland
May your wildest dreams come true
As our time in Europe was running out I thought about what our last trip should be and figured that Switzerland would be the perfect final destination. This place was so pristine it reminded me a lot of the Canadian Rockies. All I wanted was another mind blowing adventure where I could hike my way to the top of the mountains and feel alive one more time before closing a chapter and starting a new one.
So after a long but beautiful train journey from Paris to Lausanne, then Lausanne to Bern to finally Interlaken West we arrived at the campsite around 5pm. A well established campground with all the amenities and comfort you need to enjoy your stay. As we were setting up the tent we realised how blessed we were, literally surrounded by mountains, we knew that each morning we would be witnessing something great and that’s all we ever hoped for.
Interlaken is located between two stunning lakes: Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Either you want to hike, kayak or paraglide your way to the valley there is always something for you to do and this is priceless.
We did not have a set itinerary for this trip but we knew we wanted to go on a big hike. So after checking the weather and possible route options we decided to go for the famous Schynige Platte - First trail. This one is the longest in the region but is meant to be done once in a lifetime. The rest of the journey was for us to decide.
On our first day we explored the city and did a shorter hike (2-3 hours) to Kleine Scheidegg from Männlichen. We catched the gondola from Wengen to Mannlichen and enjoyed an unreal panorama of the Eiger’s north face. It was an easy walk with impressive views. We have been told to do the ascent instead to make the most of the hike. Surprisingly the trail was not crowded at all which was better for us and made the journey even more enjoyable. A lot of people just stop at the gondola station to take some pictures without daring to go further…
Here’s some pictures
En route
It felt good and rejuvenating, the fresh air and endless meadows made us feel at peace. It was needed and well appreciated. There is something unfathomable about the mountains, the vastness and rawness of it make you cherish what you have even more. This is a rough and unforgiving environment, where respect is key.
We learnt that the Eiger’s north face was also known as the “Death Wall”, a far more difficult climb than the Everest, considered even nowadays amongst the most challenging and dangerous ascents. We were at the bottom of it and to be fair it looked terrifying. The north face has its own weather due to its location and under the span of 2 hours we saw it changed drastically. Thinking about all the hopeful climbers that lost their lives stuck up there with no way to escape Nature’s power is frightening.
After a good night of sleep we were ready for our big day. An early start was needed as the hike was about 8 hour long (add extra time for pictures, food and breaks), so we catched the first bus to Wilderswil and then hopped on the cogwheel train to Schynige Platte station. The trip was about 50 minutes and the views were unbelievable. The train was in itself an experience and set the mood for the rest of the day. Once we arrived the at the top we followed the signs to Faulhorn and had no clue what to expect.
Landscape straight out of Lord of the rings
A well deserved mid hike break at the top of the mountain
We wanted to stop every 10 minutes just to admire the view. It was magical and unexpected. Again no one on the trail, we could walk miles without seeing someone. The trail was easy to follow and mostly flat at the beginning but just when you think you are mastering it the tough bit is around the corner. This trail is definitively not suitable for children or inexperienced hikers, it requires as well some serious level of fitness. Some parts are very exposed and rocky which can make it a bit challenging especially if you are scared of heights.
However we had the best time, though our bodies were aching like crazy we managed to finish the hike on time for the last bus. This was from far one of the most beautiful hikes we have done together after the Sulphur trail in Canada. The weather was lovely, we stopped twice to get food as we forgot to pack lunch (rookie mistake). Luckily you can find two restaurants on the way however they have limited food options.
We were so proud and content when we reached the top, we could have stayed there forever. I truly believe that hiking to the top of a mountain is the best thing in the world. The effort you put into it and the feeling you get once you’ve reached the end goal is so rewarding.
This was the highlight of our trip.
On our last day we decided to take it easy and kayak on Lake Brienz (one of the deepest lake in Switzerland). Lake brienz is turquoise and gets its color from the glacial particles. It is mesmerizing how blue the water is. Again, we felt like no one was there and we were in the middle of the lake by ourselves.
Switzerland has been a dream… we would love to go back and explore more. It is a stunning destination with plenty of things to do.
Here’s few tips for you if you plan to visit Interlaken:
You will need to take trains to start most of your hikes; because they are privately owned trains can be very expensive (between 40- 80 euros one way) so if you plan on staying more than 2 days get the travelpass. It is worth every penny!
The transportation system is very efficient and you can easily go places without much trouble. Buses inside Interlaken are free (upon arrival your hotel will provide you with a guest card), the card is very practical and gives you some discounts as well: don’t lose it.
We stayed at the Lazy Rancho Campground => .https://www.lazyrancho.ch
Stop at the tourism office in Interlaken, they will help you figure out the perfect itinerary for your trip.
Love,
A