Our last full day in Switzerland was a real joy. Remo and Christina took us on a mountain tour. We left Spiez and headed off past Interlaken to the Aareschlucht Gorge – lovely views of the river as it rushed along the bottom of the gorge and then across farmland to the village of Meiringen and beyond. We drove on, turned right, and began a loop of three mountain passes – Grimselpass, Furkapass, and Sustenpass. Just before we reach Grimselpass we visited Handeck – a small village near a spectacular rail car ride to Lake Gelmer – high up on the mountain top. We didn’t go for a ride – not open till later in the morning and the weather was pretty wet – but apparently it’s very, very scary. The track seemed to be vertical towards the top – there was a sign saying it had a gradient of 106% – not really sure what that means but it sounds impressive! We checked it out before crossing a great little swing bridge – love swing bridges, lots of fun – and along a forest path to the village. Handeck has a little cheese factory and adjoining cafe – a favourite of Remo and Christina’s – but not open at the moment for visitors. Things start to close down as the weather gets colder. There were a few other buildings on the main street including a restaurant and the Handeck Hotel. Also some pigs with their own little house and muddy yard – fortunately right on the edge of the village near the forest – they were very smelly!! We had a walk through the village in the rain – then crossed back over the swing bridge and headed off again.
We continued climbing towards Grimselpass. Had a quick look at a large stone wall/weir near the road – part of the hydro-electric scheme in the area. Lake Grimselsee was created in 1909 by flooding the local valley – apparently there are three stone wall/weirs holding back the water at different points. We kept climbing and arrived at the Grimselwelt Hotel – restaurant and hotel rooms for travelers, separate tourist info centre etc, several other outbuildings, and a huge parking area for the busy season. Great views over the lake and another very impressive curved stone wall/weir – water on one side, deep ravine on the other. Also checked out a little chapel sitting on the edge of the cliff. It had been moved from the valley below when it had been flooded. Very cute!
We left and continued to climb, had lunch at a little cafe, then wound our way down the mountain into the next valley. Then we climbed again towards Furkapass. A bit of a pattern for the day – up a mountain, down into a valley. The roads were amazing – zigzagging up and down – hairpin bends at every turn. Lots of engineering feats as roads curved out over the hill face and back again. Double views at Furkapass – snow capped mountains as we looked back – green hills and the zigzagging road ahead. Many, many photos taken!! Reluctantly left – camera still clicking – and drove down to the next valley and visited Devil’s Bridge. The bridge crosses a very rugged ravine – little waterfalls tumbling down a rocky gradient; a wild rushing river racing off into the distance. We parked and walked across the bridge and then through a tunnel – once used by the military – and out again next to a stone railway bridge. There is also a newer traffic bridge – sitting just above Devil’s Bridge – and several old military ruins jutting out from the cliff face. A really interesting place to visit.
On again – this time to Sustenpass. Lots of little road tunnels and bridges and apparently amazing views. It was so misty on the mountain we couldn’t see very much – but it was still very spectacular. I quite like being snuggled in, winding along the road, surrounded by mist. Little glimpses of something every now and then. We had just about everything on our day out – rain, dark and overcast, sunshine, and mist. No snow – but then again we didn’t have our snow tyres on so just as well. We then completed the loop and headed back to Interlaken and home. A very special day.
Many thanks to Remo and Christina. We really enjoyed our house sit in your very beautiful country. Also goodbye to Nero the cat – a lot less shy by the end of our stay!
We had an uneventful bus ride to Lyon – arrived late evening. Spent the night in our little Airbnb apartment near the train station – very comfy and very convenient for catching the train to Perpignan the next day. Walked into Old Town Lyon for a visit, took the metro back, had lunch at a nearby restaurant, and then caught the train. Another fleeting visit to Lyon – but very enjoyable.
Lots of love
Di and Reg
This entry was posted in Europe, House Sits, Spiez, Switzerland, Switzerland
Oh wow. !!!!! John’s just getting over a nasty flu, so this is just a tonic!!
Xox L & J.
Glad to have been of help!
You’ll be well ready for some hiking in the Mournes when you get back! We are all missing you here, particularly Chris who is starting to look a bit skinny…….!
Missing everyone as well. Will do our best to fatten Chris up when we get back!!