The Second Half (Almost) of the Gürbetaler High Trail near Bern

Sunday March 24, 2019 -- After Saturday's  long hike, the weather Sunday was still beautiful, so we took the train to Bern to continue on the Gürbetaler High Trail, the first section of which we did just about a whole year ago.  From this upper plateau you get stunning views across the wide valley bottom over the city of Thun and Lake Thun to the renowned Jungfrau massif with its prominent and recognizable peaks. Unfortunately several things worked to my detriment:  

• There was a very cold wind blowing and l was not dressed for it  (weather forecast = 18 degrees!)
• The air was hazy and the mountains not as sharply detailed as l'd hoped (but we did see them)  
• Most of the tour was on paved roads 
• I had a stomach ache 

Besides the amazing views of the Bernese Alps, there are many very pretty villages and farms you pass through, with interesting old Emmental farm houses, so lots to see anyway. We had planned to complete the remaining 15 km but only managed 9. Can't always be a success.

Link to last year's hike, first half of the trail: Here

We started this time in the village of Niedermuhlern. 

This is as clearly as we could see the famous trio of mountains: Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau

Many very pretty Emmental farmhouses

I had never seen such white cows. They are called Piemontese (an Italian Breed)

This was a nice restaurant on the way in a little village called Gschneit. We would have liked to stop here, but time was too short

Looking back at the little hamlet called Gschneit

Together with the cold wind, this view was very disappointing. The view is SE and the position of the sun had something to do with it.

 

The view directly to the South was clearer

I totally loved this old structure. This is where Grandparents used to live when their kids took over the farm. It doubled as storage.

As we headed South at least we could enjoy the green countryside and the snowy mountain backdrop.

This was an Art Gallery of sorts

All kinds of signs of Spring

As the day wore on, the air got slightly clearer

Looking North up the Gürbe Valley in the direction of Bern.

The Bernese Alps. This is what World Tourists come to see.

Before the end of the day, a satisfying view after all  (Eiger North Wall on the Left)

We decided to end our tour in Riggisberg (officially the trail goes another 7 km to Wattenwil). Riggisberg Church has a unique feature for this area: The Altar is built entirely into the Romanesque tower. First mentioned in documents dating from 1343. The tower is original 

Heading down into the village of Riggisberg. The trail actually continues on the other side.

I love this old structure with the wall paintings

The Riggisberg Castle is the other main feature of this town, besides the church. We did not visit the castle grounds.

THIS IS WHAT THE VIEW IS SUPPOSED TO LOOK LIKE!!!

This time we walked the 9-km stretch between Niedermuhlern and Riggisberg. Because of the uncomfortable cold wind, it felt like it would never end. Last time we started further North and walked down to Toffen at the end.