Switzerland

1 July

Now in Switzerland camped at 'Camping Schwimmbad Muhleye', ten minutes from Visp town centre and the train station.  Awoke to a beautiful clear day, perfect for a trip to Zermatt and the Matterhorn.  




Walked into town and purchased two tickets to Zermatt on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (144 swiss francs return for two).  Stunning scenery as the train passed through the valley and gorges of the Visp River.  Most of the track is very steep and the engines use a third rail with cogs to prevent the train slipping.  There are villages and chalets scattered all along the route.  

The trip took sixty-five minutes, we arrived at Zermatt at 9am.  Zermatt is a mountain resort known for it’s skiing, climbing and Alpine recreation.  Walked up the car free main street where there are upscale boutiques, luxurious hotels to modest chalets and eateries along the way geared up for the ‘rich and famous’.  

Suddenly the pyramid shaped iconic snow capped Matterhorn peak appeared before us, tall and towering over the town.  The Matterhorn is 4,478 metres high and is only Western Europe's twelfth highest peak.  It straddles Switzerland and Italy and it’s first ascent was in 1865 on the Swiss side.  Sadly four of the seven climbers in the summit party fell to their deaths and there have been five hundred since.


We followed the Matterhorn trail into the mountains and hiked the base of the Matterhorn for about 8kms enjoying the views of the mountains and valleys  passing cute little restaurants and ski villages, descending to complete a circular route back to Zermatt.

Had lunch overlooking the River Visp and the mountains before 'training' back to camp after a wonderful day!

Had a quick look around Visp then returned to camp for a refreshing swim in the camp pool!

2 July

Enjoyed the camp pool, chatted to our French neighbours and ‘pigged out’ on crisps!  Surprised to see the family from Sweden that were also camped at Lake Orta.  

Had a great catch up with Robert, Lina, Norton and Ester 

3 July

Took the bike path behind the camp to where the river Visp and river Rhone converge then followed the river Rhone for 14 kms passed farmland and terraced vineyards on steep slopes, through little villages and into the woods surrounded by the Pennine Alps.  Evidently the vineyards grown between Visp and Visperterminen flourish at altitudes of up to 1,150 metres - higher than anywhere else in Europe.   

4 July  

Off to Interlaken today!  Twisted our way up through the mountains to Goppenstein where we caught the ‘vehicle carrying’ train over the mountains, an alternative route to the Grimselpass.  (27 swiss francs).  Drove to our camp opposite Lake Thun, Camping Alpenblick, with a bistro and free bus passes to Interlaken for the duration of our stay here.  (19 euros).  

We cycled into Interlaken, a resort town situated on the Aare River between two lakes, Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.  It’s setting is dominated by the mountains with spectacular vistas.  Summer is high season but it is also a natural base for winter sports, serving as a transportation centre for the surrounding mountain regions.  Strolled through the town and watched dozens of tandem paragliders gliding over the mountains and landing in the main park.  The snow capped Jungfrau makes a stunning backdrop!  Went to check the possibility of climbing to the Harder Kulm instead of taking the funicular railway.  The Harder Kulm is a 1,322 metres high summit overlooking Interlaken and is a starting point for mountain hikes.  It offers spectacular views of the 

Eiger (3,970 m), Mönch (4,107 m) and Jungfrau (4,158 m) mountains as well as Lake Thun and Lake Brienz.  Good, there is a trail and we’re able to climb up!

5 July

It’s a perfect day for our hike up the to the Harder Kulm!  Used our free bus tickets into Interlaken and started our climb on one of the trails beside the funicular railway.  Climbed up through the woods, steep in parts but all good and spectacular views.  From time to time we caught a glimpse of the Harder funicular (funicular railway) transporting passengers up and down the mountain.  

After approximately one hour forty-five minutes we reached the summit with it’s platform lookout and restaurant.  Stunning views!

Had a typical Swiss lunch at the restaurant, sausage, chips and coke, good energy food!  
Caught up with Jane and Tom from Manchester in the evening.

Heading to France tomorrow after an awesome time in Switzerland.