Final Hike of 2017: Winter Hike on Mount Niederhorn

December 31, 2017 -- After reports of heavy snowfall overnight, we were expecting one of those magical new-snow-on-tree-branches, freshly-prepared walking trail, crunchy-cold snow experiences when we decided to go up to the top of Mount Niederhorn on Lake Thun to walk the popular winter trail down to Waldegg. 

We were slightly confused then, as we showed up overdressed for the funicular and cable-car ride from Beatenbucht/Beatenberg (very popular for skiing as well) that there was almost no snow on these South-facing slopes and once arrived at the top, there was no fresh snow but rather it had melted and frozen overnight and made walking very very tricky.

No denying the views were stunning, especially as we walking North along the ridge where you look down steep cliff walls into the Justis Valley to the West, and of course the always magnificent panorama of the Bernese Alps just to the South of Lake Thun (Mount Niesen and the Eiger-Mönch-Jungfrau trio).

At higher altitudes the several steep portions of the trail were like skiing on the soles of the hiking boots, and lower down as the snow got softer, it was still like skiing on the soles of the hiking boots, and really rather strenuous. 

The last day of 2017 was a beautiful one, although the hike itself (10 km, took us 3.5 hours) wasn't one of my favourites. Maybe in summer or if the snow hadn't been slippery.... but we also sadly underestimated the popularity of this area and it was standing-room only for the 30-minute bus rides in both directions, as well as long waits on the cable car up to the summit..... 

First you take a funicular from Beatenbucht on Lake Thun to Beatenberg, then a cableway to the summit of Mount Niederhorn. For the way back, it was a very crowded bus ride from Waldegg to Interlaken.

Beatenberg Funicular from Lake Thun. In the background is the distinctive pyramid-shaped Mount Niesen.

From Beatenberg a cable-way takes you up to the summit. We were rather surprised at the lack of snow....

At the summit of Mount Niederhorn:  Below, Interlaken has disappeared in the fog. Ahead, the famous Bernese Trio: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau

 

At the summit, we first checked out the view in all directions before starting on our walk. This view is Southwest across Lake Thun.

And a couple of steps right to the edge to look straight down on Lake Thun

 

The Justis Valley is right to the West of Mount Niederhorn. This view North across this stunning valley was maybe my favourite view of the day.

This saddle crossing into the Emmental is one I plan to hike in the summer.

 

View South into the Frutig Valley

Looking backwards to the starting point of our hike, the tower at the summit of Mount Niederhorn. To the right is a "very secure" barrier to prevent slipping into the canyon below...

One slip on the icy snow and it's a quick slide into the canyon!

 

Looking down into the Justis Valley

"It is forbidden to pick the flowers"

 

 

Eiger North Wall, Mount Mönch, and Mount Jungfrau in the background. (On the saddle between Mönch and Jungfrau is an observatory called "Top of Europe" and a VERY popular tourist destination)

 

Even though the snow was slippery in the steeper spots, we could not complain about the view!

Last stretch before the bus stop in Waldegg, where the bus was late and when it came it didn't bother stopping because it was already full. A disadvantage of sunny Sundays in the mountains....

 

Heading back to Thun by train:  Mount Niederhorn is the hill on the right with the antenna tower, and together with the mountain on the left, they wall in the Justis Valley in between

More "Winter Wonderland" Closer to Home: Mount Rigi

December 29, 2017 --  Our local mountain, one of the most popular in Switzerland with tourists because of the views, is one we hadn't been up on these last couple of years, even though it is so close by. 

So after a short day at work (it being middle of Christmas holidays and not a lot going on -- and in exactly one hour after leaving work we were up on the mountain) we went up the North side of the mountain with the newly rebuilt cable car (had only been 6 days in operation after a year of non-operation due to its rebuild) from Arth Goldau to Rigi Scheidegg.

From here is a lovely 7-km winter trail which follows the path of the former Scheidegg Railway which served the mountain but was dismantled many years ago. Only an original but renovated railway bridge remains. The trail is particularly pleasant because it is almost fully level with barely any uphill, and at times you can see far to the North toward Germany or to the South over the wonderful vista of all that is the Alps.

There was a cold wind blowing but the view and the frost-dusted trees made up for it. After a hearty and inexpensive lunch in a popular-to-overflowing family restaurant in Unterstetten, the weather turned VERY cold and stormy, and we covered the final 3 km in record time, to descend back to Lake Lucerne via the Weggis cableway at Rigi Kaltbad. (And then by boat to Lucerne, as that was actually the fastest way back home).

After being closed for a year for upgrade, the Rigi Scheidegg Cable-Way reopened on Dec.23rd, only 6 days before we did this excursion.

View East over Lake Lauerzersee and the two Mythen Peaks, as we ascend in the cable car to Rigi Scheidegg

The cable-car ride is 6 minutes, and you get views of Lake Zug to the North and the highest point on Mount Rigi (Rigi Kulm, 1798m) slightly on the left.

At the start of our hike after exiting the cable car, we take in the stunning sharp panoramic views, this one to the East

There was a very cold North wind blowing, but for the first half of our walk we had sunshine and it was quite "magical"

Heading West.... To the South is the entire Alpine Vista (Eiger North Wall even visible on the left, Mount Stanserhorn prominent in the center of the photo)

Uri Alps to the southeast

Straight ahead to the West the first sighting of Mount Pilatus and Lake Lucerne

 

The snow was cold and dry, perfect to walk on the cleared paths

The frost snow on the trees was prettier than regular new snowfall snow

So pretty

As the trail winds around the hills, we sometimes get views to the North, to Lake Zug and our home

 

Very cold...

The only thing left of the old Scheidegg Railway Line: a recently renovated railway bridge

More views to Lake Lucerne, and the promise of a warm parlor at the Unterstetten Restaurant

The Unterstetten Restaurant is very popular (excellent food and not expensive) and the parlor was full, but we found a place at a table with a couple and their lovely Bernese Dog, so it worked out well...

The restaurant also has the best location: This is the view from their outside terrace

Heading on westward this is a glance backwards, to the East

There are vacation homes up here, and you can transfer your luggage from the railway station via horse-drawn carriage

It was a long wait for the Weggis-Kaltbad cable car, as the line-up was very long for the descent

View of Lake Lucerne from the Weggis cable car on the descent to Weggis, on the South side of the mountain

We had only 7 minutes to cover the 850 meters from the cableway station to the boat dock to catch the boat to Lucerne, but we (as well as a dozen other people) raced down the hill and made it just in time for the boat.

From Goldau you take the Rigi Cogwheel Train (which continues on to Rigi Kulm) and get off at Kräbel. From there the new Scheidegg cable car takes you up the North side of the mountain in 6 minutes. The 7-8 km almost level walk usually takes two hours, but we walked it in less than that because it was so cold! At Rigi Kaltbad (where there is the spa with hot mineral baths) you can take another cogwheel train down to Vitznau or another cable-car (7 minutes) to Weggis and from there we took the boat to Lucerne. It was the fastest route to get back home! (Train from there back to Zug).

The Steepest Funicular in the World: Stoos Bahn

December 27, 2017 -- Today's excursion: Just a hop, skip and jump (30 km) over to the newly-opened (Dec.15th) STEEPEST (110%) funicular in the world! 

Up till now the steepest funicular in Switzerland, The Gelmer Funicular in Canton Bern, was also the steepest in Europe, with a gradient of 106%. This one, like other funiculars, runs on a fairly consistent slope, so the wagons are built with separate compartments or rows of seats with the floors slightly staggered but always parallel to the ground.

But in the case of the Stoos bahn, the access to the high plateau requires varied gradients, so this engineering marvel consists of four cylinders which rotate as the train moves, keeping the floors of each individual cylinder parallel to the ground while the sled they are in moves what seems like almost vertically up the cliff face. Leave it to the Swiss to come up with crazy ideas to get up their mountains....

Unfortunately for us, the day changed quickly from sunshine in the morning to dark clouds and fog as we got up the mountain, plus it had rained and frozen recently, so all the snow was hard and very slippery. There were still many skiiers on the slopes, but when you have vacation, I guess you take what you can get.

We had expected snow and planned a winter hike through snowy forests, but it was simply cold and slippery, so after a short 3 km loop, we headed back home. But watching the new funicular was worth the trip.

From below at the base station of the Stoos Funicular, the new funicular rises at an angle of 48 degrees 750 altitude meters to the village of Stoos on the upper plateau. 

The funicular bridge crosses the reservoir of the Muota River before rising up the steep cliff-face.

At the summit station of the railway, it looks like the tracks disappear right into the two Mythen Peaks.

Large Mythen and Small Mythen, Canton Schwyz, Switzerland

We were lucky, we had some views before the clouds and fog moved in. The dark sky gives a special quality to the photos.

Watching the funicular arrive at the summit station

 

Watching the funicular arrive at the summit station

 

There is only a slight incline at the summit, but you can see the slight rotation in the cylinders, so that the floor stays horizontal.

Each cylinder holds 34 people, but in winter they carry fewer people because of skis and sleds.

Advertising the funicular "the steepest funicular in the world". 

There was no sun, it was cold and windy, so we cut our walking plans short and did a 3-km loop. Then the fog moved in and it was a good time to descend anyway.

Back at the bottom at the Muota River, we watched the funicular for a bit as it did a couple more of its 4-minute, 1700-m trips.

A few of the many Swiss Funiculars we have been on (my photos)