The Jungfrau Region

Hi All!

Today we’re setting out to hike the Jungfrau Region of Switzerland, which is the home of Eiger, we’re expecting some cloud breaks and possible thunderstorms, should make for an epic day.

Once we had breakfast and caffeine in our system we headed up to First, which is the top of one Gondola within Grindelwald and popular view point that also features a cliff walk.

Once we got up top the clouds were preventing us from obtaining views from any of the popular vantage points and avalanche conditions had many trails closed, so we could not wonder far. Which meant Bachalpsee was off the menu. 😦

We hung out for a bit checking out all the wildflowers & butterflies; the foggy cliff walk and we even got very small breaks in the clouds for some views. In the end, we realized it wasn’t clearing up soon so we started toward the Hostel to regroup our plan.

We sought advice from the nice lady that runs our Hostel. Because we learned that Eiger trails were closed too. She suggested some lower elevation hikes and we decided on a 4.5 hr day hike that would take us through the farmlands and forest nearby.

We set out from Grindelwald to hike up to Bort, which was such a steep climb – for 1.5 hours! Our calves and glutes were burning and we stopped routinely in order to not drive our muscles to failure. At one point along the trail they had fastened tubing to the hillside since it was so steep, you almost had to pull yourself up the hill. It was a beautiful climb though. The sun was shining, the cows and goats were roaming; the sound of crickets and birds nonstop. Plus, the view only got better the higher we climbed, we were looking right down on Grindelwald.

We stopped for a picnic lunch we made ourselves in Bort and took in the view.

Our trail continued on to Bussalp, so we started in that direction and quickly found ourselves all alone and in the peaceful forest along the mountain side. We walked in companionable silence, stopping to look at flowers, bugs, cows – just taking it all in. This hike was also the fewest people we’ve seen since arriving in Switzerland.

Something we haven’t touched on too much is the smell of Switzerland. Since we arrived in Geneva, every place we’ve been to in Switzerland smells so good! All different, but good smells. Walking through this forest smelt fresh – fresh dirt, fresh flowers, fresh cow poo – it was great!

Somewhere along our trek we missed a turn and ended up taking some main roads, so we never actually reached Bussalp. But we ended up walking all the way back into Grindelwald and in doing so got to see the local/ less tourist filled side of the town.

By the time we made it back to our Hostel we were so beat. We immediately devoured some cherries and then just sat in the community area of the Hostel, enjoying being off our feet.

After awhile we went and cleaned up, because we planned to cook dinner at the Hostel and after walking 5 hours in the sun on hard inclines…well, we were gross.

Feeling human again, we joined others in the kitchen who were also preparing their supper.

Then we enjoyed the view and mild weather as we ate our dinner outside.

Believe us when we say, our heads are gonna hit the pillows and it’ll be lights out.

~A&Z