We were on our way to Interlaken, Switzerland and getting very tired going on 6 hours of our 8 hour set of train rides from Cinque Terra. As we pulled out from Bern, Switzerland, 2 girls around our age sat down next two us. The appeared to be backpackers like us and we started talking. They were Swiss and heading back from a weekend backpacking trip in the Italian Alps. We hit it off with Brigitte and Susan and then they offered to write down some hikes for us to do while we were in Interlaken. They quickly realized how to shorten our time to Interlaken by two hours and made us get off the train pronto. They were so helpful and nice to us. We got off the train and set up our tent in Interaken at a beautiful campsite by a gorgeous river and while it was still light outside!
We woke up the next morning and could not believe what great weather we got! There was not a cloud in the sky and apparently that is very unusual for the Alps. We ate some breakfast and got prepared to go on our hike by taking the hiking list from the girls to the reception office. We inquired about the first hike on the list, how to get there, etc. and we were met with the head lady saying, “Who gave you these hikes to do? Do you have Swiss friends? Whoever they are – they must like you very much, because there are not well known hikes for tourists.” At that point, we headed out to go on a hike out of Isenfluh and sort of felt like we won the lottery with this “hiking list” from some locals.
We made our way easily on train, bus, and then cable car to the village of Isenfluh in the Bernese Oberland area of Switzerland. From there, we hiked to a mountain hut where we had our lunch and some very good cider. The hike and views were unbelievable. We saw all of the most famous mountains in a crystal clear view and the scenery was truly stunning. There were little streams and waterfalls everywhere, grassy fields, tall trees, and cows with bells around their necks! The mountains took the main stage though, and when you see the pictures you will know why. There is nothing like the Swiss Alps, they are truly pristine. So after lunch, we made our way past an alpine lake and to the overlook where you could look down on Interlaken (city between 2 lakes) and see the mountains at the same time, pretty awesome. Heading town towards the town of Saxeton, we got a little re-routed because of cows grazing high up on the mountain tops. Apparently, they had trampled over the trail, and we had to get out of their way quick. The most amazing thing about those Swiss dairy cows is that you can hear them from miles away. You know where they are because it sounds like a symphony of bells, since they all have a huge bell fastened around their necks. It is actually a great sound until you get close enough to smell them, and then it’s another story J.
We missed the bus in Saxeton and had to keep hiking down, which made this a very long hike. We were getting a little tired until the trail to a sharp downward turn and we found ourselves in line with an ongoing raspberry bush that followed the trail for miles. Fresh, ripe, wild raspberries! Delicious! We could not stop eating them, until we thought we would either get sick or miss our train and decided to go. We finally got to the village of Wilderswil and happened upon a warm up festival for Swiss National Day (the next day!). The locals were listening to American and Traditional Swiss country music, drinking lager beer, eating bratwurst, and this crazy melted cheese on bread where they use an electric cooker to melt the cheese and then scrape it on the bread with a sharp knife. What great timing! We decided to get some Swiss Francs and partake in the festivities as soon as possible. Not only were they going to have this same type of festival in Interlaken, where we were staying, but there was going to be a firework display as well! Awesome!
We really couldn’t believe how amazing the hike out of Isenfluh was and what luck we had with the hiking list! There were no tourists on the whole hike and the views were incredible! We were hoping for the same sort of luck the next day and we got it! Following the hiking list, we took a bus to the town of Hackburn and began a hike through what we were told was Swiss land with very good energy. Before heading out, we had some spare time and wandered around town. It just so happened that because it was Swiss National Day (Aug. 1st) the local grocery stores were selling fireworks and of course, JJ had to buy some Roman Candles and Sparklers for later that night. JJ said that the types of fireworks they had for sale was insane and he could not believe that the Swiss would allow anyone to get their hands on them! Oh well, he hiked the rest of the day with the fireworks on his back. Upon arriving in Hackbern, we noticed that it was a very cute Swiss village with traditional homes. As we got more into the forest area, we noticed older people carrying buckets around. We finally went up to a lady and asked her what she was doing with the buckets. In proud Swiss German, she explained to us (we could not understand any of it) that she was picking blueberries and that they were all around because the thunder from the past storms made them ripe. Yep. So, we looked down and literally had a feast of blueberries. I could not believe our luck with all these fresh berries! The rest of the hike was very steep and then rolling. The views of the mountains were once again amazing and the hiking was great too. We really enjoyed walking through more farmland and different forest areas. This hike was very different from the first one and equally as beautiful. We made our way back for the Swiss National day festivities in Interlaken, determined to fill our own bucket of berries, and very happy. As soon as we arrived in the city, a torrential downpour began. Welcome to the real Swiss Alps and their unpredictable weather! We still walked through the town and tasted the Swiss National Dishes (the cheesy bread and bratwurst). We waited for the rain to let up after dinner and it didn’t, but we heard that the fireworks would go on no matter what. Putting on all of our matching rain gear, we walked into town and watched a great fireworks show in pouring rain. Afterwards, JJ shot off all of his fireworks with the rest of all the crazy people in town. Imagine, the whole town shooting off fireworks out of windows, on the street, and in the public park. Totally acceptable!
The next day it rained non-stop. We took our first down day and did not do anything but relax and it was great! We made a great dinner of polenta, veggies, and swiss cheese! Afterwards, there was a theatre group doing a play at our campsite that we watched. They had about 20 jokes in the play making fun of American culture which we found even funnier than the rest of the audience! Apparently, all Americans say “ Rock and Roll” after every other word and have silly nicknames like JJ! Hahah!
The weather forecast did not improve very much for the next day. We took the morning easy and then decided to hike up on the mountains right above our campsite, to a famous old hotel on the top of the mountains known as Harder Klum. What a very steep 2 hours! About halfway through the hike up and up, we decided to take a break and look down. Raspberries were everywhere! There were a few blackberries also and the sweetest, tiniest strawberries! We once again feasted on these fresh berries and then continued on. We got pretty good views of the valleys and the two lakes Interlaken sits between at the top and then headed down to a neighboring town.
Today, was our last day in Interlaken and we lived it up! We took advantage of the great weather forecast and headed out very early to an area of the Lauterbrunnen Valley. We hiked up the “Mountain View Trail” on the way to the village of Murren and could not believe our eyes! There were more amazing mountain views everywhere and only a few low clouds in our sight. We were really in beautiful country and there were not many people! We hiked through Murren and even saw a restaurant flying a California flag! It was a very cute village with great views of mountains, glaciers, and waterfalls everywhere! My favorite thing about it was the garden gnomes everywhere! I took lots of pictures even though JJ did not approve. We continued our hike down the village of Stechelberg at the end of the valley and then headed back to the train. We saw so much amazing stuff today our eyes (and legs) are sore, but we are fully of incredible Swiss chocolate (we have been eating 1 -2 bars per day!). We are on our way to Amsterdam… Hope you are all well and lots of love! JJ and Julie
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