Day Twelve – Hallo Switzerland, time for some wanderwegin’ in the Alps!
Switzerland will always have a little extra sentimental value when visiting. As part of Scott’s mom’s senior trip after graduating from high school, she traveled to this part of Switzerland. A couple of pics from our last trip, when we brought a note from our wedding with us.
Leaving Italy and Lake Como isn’t fun, but we did feel we experienced what we wanted to in Bellagio and Lake Como in the three days we enjoyed being there. Ciao Italia!
Entering Switzerland makes leaving anywhere easier! Mountain air, turquoise lakes, and the Alps just invite you to come explore. It is precisely as we remember it to be…perfect.
Renting a car and driving this trip had allowed us to see more of Europe, and experience some unique roadways, and now our 4th country of this trip.
Arriving in Grindewald was simply amazing! We roll into our hostel, the Eiger Lodge Grindelwald, and it couldn’t be better. Pristine mountain views, along with an inviting common area, and perfect room for us for the evening. We actually asked if they had more availability this week, because honestly, we never want to leave… sadly… nope!
After a busy day, dinner and a beer couldn’t have been more inviting, and we found a great spot right next to our lodge.
Can’t wait to get on the mountain for some hiking in the morning!
Day Thirteen – Grindelwald First
(Pronounces Fear-st not First)
Cloudy start, but thankfully by the time we are done with our breakfast, the sun is peaking out.
Pack up, check out, and head to the bus station, bus 121 to a 25 minute gondola ride, and up the mountain for some epic views and hiking trails.
Last time, we chose Jungfraujoch, the top of Europe, so for this adventure we chose Grindelwald First (fear-st not first).
First (first, not fear-st), we walk off the gondola and head to the Cliff Walk. We figure it would be the most crowded, so we opted to take the walk around to start our time up on top of the mountain with endless views of the Jungfrau region.
We begin our mountain fun at 2,168 meters (7,112 feet). Excited to get hiking, we begin out trek to Bachalpsee Lake. Not too challenging of a walk, but one thing we quickly realize is the affect the altitude is having on us. Florida sea level, Switzerland not! The hike to Bachalpsee Lake takes about an hour with an elevation gain of about 100 meters (2,265 meters/7,431 feet).
We are up high enough where we are hiking through clouds!
Problem… we would prefer to enjoy the epic mountain views without clouds. So, we hang at Bachalpsee lake waiting for clouds to move through. By the way, it’s chilly up here. Nicknames the ‘Blue Gem’, we were able to sneak in some impressive pics, patience helped, but not the pristine blue sky pictures Katie was hoping for.
Decide to take a different trail back, this time a little longer trail to Bort. Nicknamed the flower trail, we were hoping for a more remote trail and views of the Jungfrau region.
First part of the trail was great, basically had the whole trail to ourselves, winding through meadows, overlooking the incredible views of the Alps, and straight through the classic Swiss valley with cows roaming to the chime of their own bell.
The next part became quite a challenge; a relatively steep, rocky decent. With clouds covering some of the peaks, we didn’t have as much distraction on this steep downward trail to Bort. Honestly, we wouldn’t recommend the last section of this trail. First half is beautiful, when you get to the restaurant, take the bus down the rest of the way 🤣.
Finally making it down to Bort, finishing a descent of 665 meters/2,181 feets. With sore legs and empty stomachs, we excitedly head back down the gondola and grab an early dinner at Bebbi’s with an incredible view!
Grindewald deserved more time than we are giving it, but we will be back! For tonight, we have a little bit of a drive to Gstaad, for a one night stay in this amazing little town.
Fondueland tomorrow!
Day Thirteen – Gstaad & Fondue
After a nice hotel breakfast, we drive into Gstaad to walk through the pristine, upscale main street area. Gstaad is widely known as the most expensive town in all of Switzerland. And in a country where everything is expensive, that is saying something.
To our surprise, Gstaad is hosting a professional tennis tournament right in the town center. Not any big names (its a lower level tourney), but still pretty random and cool.
Scott stops in to grab a few Cuban cigars, and Katie heads up town to get lunch. This isn’t your typical lunch, it’s a Fondue kit to take with us on a hike. This concept is genius!
Head to Molkerei Cheese Shop in Gstaad and pick up your fondue backpack. Pick your hike (7 options) and take your fondue kit to go with you. Enjoy in the most epic spot you can think of to enjoy, Fondueland!
It’s the second time we have done this, and it is worth doing every visit!
With our bellies full and our legs tired from a second straight day of hiking, we leave Gstaad for our last stop on this European adventure, Kandersteg.
So we knew we wanted Kandersteg as part of our trip, but the problem was, we didn’t have a place to stay… until last night. We decided to spend the next two nights in the mountains, and drive a little further Thursday morning. Well worth it!
Hotel Alfa Soleil, perfect spot with incredibly views!
Ready for dinner, we head to Adler. Cool German spot with one problem, menu is in German and water doesn’t speak English. For the first time all trip, we use the Google translate tool, and we highly recommend it. Just hold your phone over the foreign words, and it shows up on your phone in English.
As for dinner, delicious!
Sadly, our last day of this adventure is tomorrow, but we have the perfect ending in store!
Two Wayfaring Wanderers 
Incredible scenery…and FOOD!!