A Favourite Hike High above the Reuss Valley

November 2, 2016 -- Wednesday is a day off for both of us, and maybe we can squeeze in one last hike in the Alps before the weekend rain and subsequent snowfall....

Not far from where we live is the mountain in the Reuss Valley where Urs' Dad and Granddad grew up, and we hike there at least once a year, going up a very steep hillside first with a tiny cable car (barely holds four, seated) and then walking along the hillsides where dotted here and there are farms and homes where his relatives still live. Each time we go we vary the tour a little bit, usually by walking a different trail back down into the Reuss Valley.

This is a hike that we usually take our out-of-country visitors on because it gives you a little bit of everything in the Alps: Cable cars, views of high peaks and steep valleys, mountain lakes, pastures and mountain farms, contact with the locals and a view into the hard life of the mountain farmer. And a solid hike that gives you that feeling of having achieved something good... And some Swiss cows if you are lucky.

Heading up by cable car to Arni Lake, this is the view into the Reuss River Valley.

Tiny cable car from Amsteg barely holds four people, sitting room only.

For a switch we first walked North from the cable car station, to Voderarni. Urs talks with locals because he knows a lot of people up here. Weather is looking iffy, we weren't sure when the rain was coming.

It's cold up here, the wind blows over the ridge.

Ah, finally, clearing up a bit and some sun before the rain.

Heading South again on our familiar trail toward Arni Lake.

Heading South again on our familiar trail toward Arni Lake.

This is Barbara, we meet her here every time. Sometimes we help with the work, otherwise we buy homemade cheese and yoghurt at her little mountain cabin where they live in the summer.

This is an ANT HILL (The sign reads "Ant Hill")

Pretty little Arni Lake. Also a favourite winter destination.

This is the "Lunch Bench". It is our tradition to eat our picnic lunch here, or in the meadow just below here.

This is the "Lunch Bench". It is our tradition to eat our picnic lunch here, or in the meadow just below here.

View from the picnic lunch bench.

Looking South into the Reuss Valley. No rain yet.

Usually we walk to Gurtnellen, but today it will be Intschi, after visiting a cousin at the family home.

The old family home. About 10 kids grew up here, maybe 70-80 years ago.

I'm getting the Evil Eye.

On our way to Intschi back in the valley, we pass the grandfather's old homestead.

That's one big rock that fell down the mountain a long time ago

And the rain just started as we got to our destination. There's a bus stop and a cable car station here.

 

12 km, 3.5 hours