After a lovely evening in the quaint town of Beaune, on the Burgundy region, we headed to the Swiss Alps. While in Beaune we experienced wine tasting in a XIII century cava, we dined in a XII century cava, and we slept in a XVII century chateau. In Beaune I learned how real Dijon mustard is supposed to taste like, let's say I'll never have Grey Poupon again! (The pictures above are from Baune)
We arrived to Lauterbrunnen Valley Thursday afternoon, the valley is known for it's many waterfalls. It has been said that this valley inspired JRR Tolkien, for his description of Rivendale Valley in the Lord of the Rings.
The Staubbach fall it's very easily seen from the hotel.
A small group of decided to join our fearless leader Colleen in a morning hike of the valley. During our hike along the river through the Nordic Trail, we were able to see the Spissbach fall, the Buchenbach fall, and on our gondola ride up to the town of Murren we saw the Murrenbach fall up close.
I have to admit that the idea of climbing via gondola was not in my initial plans, however the group was very supportive of my fear of heights. Paul our driver said that I could hike back down with him if I wanted, since he was not riding the gondola down. From Murren, at 5361 ft we got a closer look of the Eiger North Face peak, later we walked down to the town of Gimmelwald, elevation 4593ft, were we had a lovely picnic by an old mountain hostel. Our excursion later tooks back down via gondola ride to the lift station, our group really got along wonderfully and the hike gave me the opportunity to chat along the way and to spend time with some group members that I had not had the opportunity interact with.
From the lift station, Paul dropped a few of us at Trummelbach falls. The falls are the only glacier waterfalls inside a mountain in Europe. It is accessible, after a short hike, via a tunnel lift from there you can continue on walking inside the mountain were the temperatures drop dramatically and the sound of the water running it's impressive. After another scenic walk we arrived back at the hotel utterly exhausted and ready for a good night sleep. The next morning called for an early rise and departure to Germany, where this story will continue.
View from Gimmelwald
View from inside Trummelbach falls
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I know the Lauterbrunnen Valley very well, what a coincidence to find you writing about it here when I call by to thank you for becoming a follower of News From Italy. I hope until you can live your dream of returning to Italy you will enjoy sharing our little piece.
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