The trail is officially called the "Gürbetal High Trail" (Gürbetaler Höhenweg) which is a 28-km trail winding above the open valley between Berne and Thun (actually a glacier moraine), through which runs the Gürbe River. The area is known for its historical and fabulously well-maintained farm houses, which was a real treat, besides the view of course, and the tantalizing spring weather.
On the larger farms in Switzerland (especially also in the Bern area), additional buildings called "Stöckli" were erected for the elder farmers to live in once they passed the farm on to their heirs. We saw many such Stöckli along the way, some dating as far back as early 1700's.
Other interesting sights along the way: Here and there lie huge "foundling" boulders (or "erratics", as I recently learned they were called), remnants from 20,000 years ago when the Aar Glacier deposited them in this area after carrying them over 75 km.
And a staple of the Swiss landscape: The farmers are out in full force raking leaves off their meadows and fertilizing with liquid pig manure, a smell that forms an integral part of the Swiss landscape. We were lucky the farmer had to take a break to "fill up" just as we passed the area he was working in. Can't imagine what being dosed with "pig manure perfume" might be like....
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| Spring is teasing us with the first snow bells (covered by snow again about a week later). |
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| Some of the beautiful Bernese farm houses we passed along the way (top right is a Stöckli) |
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| This magnificent structure was built in 1717 (a rather large Stöckli... at the very top they used to store grain, at the bottom was a cellar, and in the middle were the living quarters). |
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| Our first view of the Bernese Alps as we cross through the meadows |
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| Bears in the forest |
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| This 4.5m high "erratic" is 20,000 years old and was transported here from 75 km away by the Aar Glacier (this is actually a glacier moraine) |
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| We took a coffee break on a bench, and wondered how we would pass by this tractor without picking up the smell of the manure |
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| Lucky for us, the farmer had to go for a refill, so we took advantage of the break and passed the spot where he was working.... |
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| Back there in the red circle is the bench where we had taken our coffee break. |
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| This is a particularly pretty farm house. |
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| The walking trail takes us right through the farm yards |
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| And what would the Bernese farm be like without a resident Bernese Mountain Dog! The little structure in the photos is a Stöckli, built both as storage and for older generations once the farm has been passed to the heirs. |
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| And now the first glimpse of the favourite Bernese Alps (Mount Jungfrau), a distinctive sight in Central Switzerland |
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| This is a particularly pretty sample of a Stöckli. Usually there was a cellar below and an upper level to store grain, and in between were the living quarters. |
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| Another coffee break, to enjoy the sunshine and the view (just a bare glimpse of Lake Thun at the foot of the Bernese Alps) |
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| Enjoying the rare sunshine and Spring weather above the Gürben Valley |
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| On the right is the small hamlet called Obertoffen which we passed through before descending back to valley bottom. Also, this was the view from our bench.... |
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| Finally the clouds have lifted to show the North Wall of Mount Eiger. But my favourite peak is Mount Finsteraarhorn, which is actually the tallest peak of the Bernese Alps ((4,274 m (14,022 ft)) |
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| More beautifully-maintained farm houses (this one is in Fallenbach, alledgedly one of the best-preserved old hamlets in this area). |
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| I'm not sure what this structure is, but each "hamlet" had one. This one dates back to 1764. |
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| One last snapshot of one of my favourite views: Mounts Finsteraarhorn, Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau) |
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| This is the area where we walked, on the Gürbetaler High Trail in the Gantrisch Nature Park. |
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