But if you don't want to go far from the big cities on the day after Christmas (this is not far from Zurich), you have to expect lots of people, which is what happened to us on our choice of excursion on this day: A (total) of 7 km prepared winter trail from the mountain village of Arvenbüel above Lake Walensee up to the Alp/Farm called Vorder Höhi and back. Since we expected a lot of people, it didn't bother us as much. Plus we took a less-traveled trail on the way back.
The Alp is located at the pass that leads down to the Toggenburg area of eastern Switzerland, and from there is a super view of Mount Säntis, the highest peak in the Alpstein Massif. The farming family have a good business going: with 20 picnic tables for 6 people each they work out of their (now empty) barn serving soup, sausages, coffee and refreshments, plus locally-produced cheese (which we purchased), seemingly non-stop on this lovely afternoon. Good for them!
Assessment: A successful winter outing for the start of the winter season for us....
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| Heading up by bus from Weesen at the West end of Lake Walensee, to Amden, then end-station Arvenbüel (a 30-minute bus ride) |
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| Heading up the hill by bus through the village of Amden, and looking down at the West end of Lake Walensee. In the back is the Linthal Valley. Below 1200m there was no snow. |
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| The start of our walk in Arvenbüel, heading up from the bus stop and trying to stay in front of ALL THE PEOPLE! |
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| This is the way I like winter walks: Lots of sunshine, snow on the trees, and the stuff underfoot has to CRUNCH |
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| We're headed up to that ridge, going to have lunch there. |
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| Looking back the way we came, a steady stream of people all afternoon. |
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| We found a good spot at the end of the terrace to enjoy our Bratwurst. |
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| This is a good set-up for the family that owns this mountain farm. In summer they have their cows up here, in winter they serve refreshments to the city people out of the barn. |
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| In the barn you could get your refreshments, soups, bratwurst, cake, cheese, coffee.... |
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| About 400m from the barn was the furthest you could go without snowshoes, for a view over the pass into the Toggenburg. In the back is Mount Säntis, highest peak in the Alpstein Massif |
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| Zoomed view of the weather station on Mount Säntis, the highest peak of the Alpstein Massiv in eastern Switzerland (near Appenzell) |
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| Time to head back, the terrace is still packed. |
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| We took a different route back, somewhat steeper at first, but lower than the original, where we can still see people like ants streaming up the hill |
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| Sunny winter afternoon |
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| The lower trail back to Arvenbüel had fewer people on it. |
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| And back at Arvenbüel. |
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| We walked along the main road a bit to catch the bus further down so that I could get this view over Amden. |
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| Altogether we walked about 7-8 km. It was a pleasant 3-hour afternoon excursion and not too far from where we live |
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