Lunch in South Tirol, and a Hike in the Swiss National Park

On our first day of vacation in Canton Grischun, we took the bus through the Swiss National Park and the Münster Valley for a Sunday dinner across the border in South Tirol (which is in Italy). We had been here about a year ago and I wanted to eat the delectable Pork Hock that I had had at the time in the very lovely Restaurant Ibex (Ristorante Stambecco). 

On the way back we got off the bus at the Ofen Pass at the South edge of the Park and still managed to get in a 10-km hike before the rain started. It was a pleasant hike above the Münster Valley, the kind of hike I like to do because you get to see the villages way below. Our end destination, the village of Lü, is a tiny village with 53 permanent residents. Its name, which may or may not have come from the Romantsch word Lum (which means light) would be ironic because it is one of the darkest places at night in the Swiss Alps, and that is the reason they have an observatory up here. 

For the last hour of our hike the storm clouds moved in from the South, but we walked in sunshine and the rain started only once we were back down in the Valley in Fuldera for the bus ride back.

Riding the bus through the Swiss National Park

Crossing the border into Italy (South Tirol)

Village of Tubre (Taufers), just South of the border in South Tirol, Italy.

Village of Tubre (Taufers), just South of the border in South Tirol, Italy.

This is the village of Glorenza where we had our lunchh (the photo is from sentres.com). It is entirely enclosed by a rectangular city wall.

Glurns (Glorenza) in South Tirol

Glurns (Glorenza) in South Tirol

Glurns (Glorenza) in South Tirol

Cool Fire Truck

Before lunch, a walk along the city wall. This guy picking plums, his ladder was a single pole with foot-long rebar pieces as steps!

Before lunch, a walk along the city wall

Before lunch, a walk along the city wall. This is the wooden bridge at the North Gate.

Restaurant and Gasthof Stambecco (Ibex).

Restaurant and Gasthof Stambecco (Ibex).

Mmm, such a yummy pork hock! This is what I came for.

And after lunch, a Macchiato-to-go! (Big man with small coffee...)

Heading back North we pass the Benedictine Monastery St. Johann in Münster which is renowned for its frescoes.

The big yellow buses have to navigate some very narrow streets!

The big yellow buses have to navigate some very narrow streets!

Back at the Ofen Pass (Pass dal Fuorn) to start our 10 km hike.

First we rode the bus from Cinuos-chel in the Engadine, through the Swiss National Park, across the border into South Tirol to Glorenza in Italy, then back again through the Münster Valley to the Ofen Pass to start our hike to Lü.

Hiking in the Swiss National Park from the Ofen Pass to Lü.

Hiking in the Swiss National Park from the Ofen Pass to Lü.

Hiking in the Swiss National Park from the Ofen Pass to Lü.

Hiking in the Swiss National Park from the Ofen Pass to Lü.

The legend of the Mountain Fairies of Alp Munt: Fairies used to live in these sandstone sinkholes and would help the farmers harvest the mountain hay, until one day the farmers' wives stole the fairies' linens. Then the fairies got angry, the sinkholes closed up, and the fairies disappeared.

From the Ofen Pass to Lü. Below us is the Münster Valley, and Lü is on the higher clearing on the left.

Down below in the Münster Valley is the little village of Tschierv.

Hiking in the Swiss National Park from the Ofen Pass to Lü.

Papa Bear, Mama Bear, and baby Bear.

Arriving at our destination in the little village of Lü, population 53.

Arriving at our destination in the little village of Lü, population 53.

Arriving at our destination in the little village of Lü, population 53.

From Lü we took the bus down into the valley to Fuldera (we were the only passengers on this big bus). Everywhere are hunters on the way.

In Fuldera we saw some of the coolest houses.

10-km hike from the Ofen Pass to Lü, took us 2 hours and 40 minutes.

Popular 4-Lake Hike in Central Switzerland

(Sept.7, 2016) -- This was another beautiful Wednesday, and we picked a popular hike we had never done before, the 4-Lake hike between the Engelberg and Melch Valleys. On Sundays there are bound to be a lot of people up here, but this Wednesday was fairly peaceful and perfect for this hike. Furthermore, the start of the excursion is with the Titlis Cable Car from Engelberg, an absolute favourite of Asian Tour Groups (Mount Titlis has snow all year round and probably a great view too. I have never been up on that Mountain). We started early and got there before the crowds.

The hike passes by four lakes (thus the name) each with its own beauty and character. At about the half-way point of the hike is a large Alp Meadow (Tannalp) where the owners make a popular cheese sold in the major supermarkets here, so we bought some directly from the farmer.

At the end of the tour we had just purchased our tickets for the cable car ride down when we discovered that we could have ridden down into the Melch Valley with Trottinettes! It was too late to change our choice of transportation at this point, but we will keep it in mind for another time....

The excursion starts with the Titlis Gondola Cable Car from Engelberg to Trübsee, which is the first of the four lakes.

The hike starts with a walk along the first lake, the Trüebsee, to the chairlift station on the other side, or for those who have an extra 1+ hour, a hike up to the Joch Pass to the top of the chairlift. We chose the chair lift option. Even without the hike up the hill, the total tour was 13 kms and 3.5 hours.

We chose to ride the chair lift from the first lake to the Joch Pass. Here you can see the summit of Mt. Titlis up close.

There are lots of popular bike trails all over as well. The riders bring their bikes up with the cable cars.

Another fabulous view across the Engelberg Valley from the Joch Pass at the start of our hike. 

This is what he is photographing, me and the Joch Glacier.

School hikes are popular in Switzerland. The kids are taking the high road through the valley, we are walking the low road. 

Late summer flowers, the poisonous Monkshood, and beautiful Silver Thistles.

Not far from the Joch Pass we get the first view of the second lake: Engstlensee. The third lake is just slightly visible in the background.

Urs above Lake Engstlensee

Near Lake Engstlensee

Nice display of cow bells along a barn at the Engstlenalp near the other side of the lake.

Nice place for a picnic lunch on the Engstlenalp with views of the Gadmerflue range and Mt.Wetterhorn in the background (usually seen from Grindelwald on the other side).

This was a cool waterfall.

Heading up toward the third lake, we get another nice view of Mount Titlis looking back to where we started.

Heading up to the next lake we look back on Engstlenalp where we ate our lunch. Way at the back below Mt. Titlis is where we started our hike. 

More nice views to Mt. Wetterhorn

Two airplanes in the same Sky Area

Just before the next lake is another Alp called Tannalp, where they make their own cheese. We bought a kilo.

Third of four lakes: Tannensee

Walking along the third lake, the Tannensee

I swore I'd never ride one of these, and then not one week later we were riding one in the Engadine.... (out of necessity!)

Approaching the last lake: Melchsee

Home made pedal boat?

From a great vantage point, a view over Lake Melchsee and the whole upper plateau.

Vacation / Ski village of Melchsee-Frutt. We are taking the cable car down behind the hotel on the right.

Switzerland's favourite dogs also go hiking,

Gondola from Melchsee-Frutt into the Melch Valley.

Gondola from Melchsee-Frutt into the Melch Valley. From here, bus/train home.

 

Total hike about 13 km, 3.5 hours. The descent from Melchsee could have been done with a Trottinette.