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September 30, 2017 by andreaonderweg

Aiming higher

Aiming higher
September 30, 2017 by andreaonderweg

Interlaken is a wonderful place in the Swiss Alps that I am lucky enough to visit regularly. This season I tried to explore the region a bit and try a different activity every time I was there. Sometimes I get to do something outside of the town itself and I’d already made my way towards Lauterbrunnen by train several times. Although most of my group had decided to go into that direction, I opted to check out a different train and get even higher into the mountains.

From Wilderswil I took the old Cogwheel train up to the Schynige Platte. The train is from 1893 and thus takes its time climbing up the steep mountain. And steep it is! At times I feel like I’m sitting in a roller coaster and they could let us go any minute, to experience a Swiss thrill ride. We stop at a mid station and then get up to bigger and better views. After 50 minutes we reach the station of Schynige Platte, at 2076m.

The train climbs steadily up the mountain.
The happiest cows in the world!

The top is still hidden in a cloud. I wrap my scarf around me and zip up my jacket. Then I make my way through the cloud. I’m taking a 2,5 hour loop walk, which starts with a fierce ascend. The clouds move fast and when I stand on the top they open up in different spots every few minutes. In the distance I see the famous mountains, like Eiger and Jungfrau. The rugged terrain, clear blue sky and low clouds create a show that I can watch for hours.

I decide to have part of my picnic already and watch the world go by. It’s so silent up here. Only cow bells are ringing in the distance. How someone could live up here and run a farm is a mystery to me, but it sure is a great place to unwind for a few hours! Hiking is the best way to de-stress and with scenery like this you instantly feel better.

The walk took me on a path along the side of the mountain. There were gorgeous views towards Interlaken, far below me. You could see both lakes and the Harder Kulm on the other side. There was a huge boulder that offered a viewpoint that could be reached via a sidetrack. It was a little climb, including some steep stairs, but it was breath-taking.

After the view the path kept going straight along the edge, until it looped back via the fields. It was great to be in the mountains again. It instantly brought back all the memories I made in Canada. I miss the mountains so much. I miss flying through the trees and seeing stunning views like this on a daily basis. For now this was all I got. I can’t wait to get back to the Bernese Oberland again and explore something new again!

  • From Interlaken, take bus 105 to Wilderswil. In Wilderswil you can board the cogwheel railway from 1893 to Schynige Platte. A return ticket costs 64CHF. The ride up takes about 50 minutes. At the Schynige Platte are several loop hikes/walks ranging from 25 minutes to 2,5 hours. I did walk 3, the Loucherhorn Panorama trail. Don’t forget to go up to the viewpoint at Oberberghorn.

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