Extremes of Sun and Shade at Marbachegg

Wednesday February 6, 2019 -- Actually, we had a totally different plan for the day, but the train we were in had problems with the brakes, so with a delay of 30 minutes we missed the bus connection to Sörenberg in Central Switzerland.

Nevertheless there are other areas nearby in the Entlebuch (Lucerne) area which were out of the fog, so we got a connection to the next valley over and took a gondola cableway up to the sunny family ski area called Marbachegg.

As it was already lunch time, we walked away from the crowds at the restaurant terrace and sat on a lonely bench for an hour in the almost too warm sunshine soaking in the views of the Bernese Alps (including Mount Finsteraarhorn, at 4272m the highest peak of the Bernese Alps) as well as the two prominent ridges East and South of Marbachegg, namely the Schratteflue and Hohgant respectively.

Since we had actually come to do a "Winter Walk" and not just sit in the sun all day, we had a choice: 90 minutes down to Bumbach on the South flank (warm sunshine all the way but potentially 5 km of asphalt and no snow on the trees any more) or 2 hours to Marbach on the North flank (LOTS of shade but crunchy snow on the road and a most magical snowy landscape). We picked the latter, as shade is still preferable to asphalt.

Back in Marbach we bought locally-made cheeses and joghurts at the dairy shop (including a coal-infused midnight-black cheese aptly named "Sorcerer's Cheese", I've never seen that before), and on the ride home, we were infinitely satisfied as we approached the thick wall of fog that accompanied us back, knowing that even with foiled plans, we still had sunshine and stunning views this day.

On our train ride toward the Entlebuch area West of Lake Lucerne, we traveled through thick fog, common in the lowlands 

Here is what the Emme River looks like in the fog

And then when the fog lifts!!! The advantage of fog is that the snow stays longer after a snowfall

Heading into the village of Escholzmatt, where we caught the bus South to Marbach

The village of Marbach as seen from the gondola cableway. Our plan is to walk back down to here.

Heading up to Marbachegg with the gondola cableway

First fabulous view of the Bernese Alps after arriving at Marbachegg. Here we are right on the border of Cantons Luzern and Bern

Everyone stopped to photograph this special house!

 

I love the contrast of sun and shade on the furrows on the Schratteflue Ridge

Before starting on the actual planned hike down to Marbach on the North side of the hill, we walked the 1-km ridge trail toward the border marker. Along the way were lots of benches, and since it was lunch time, we spent an hour up here in the almost-too-hot sunshine on one of those benches!

From the Ridge there is one small view window into the valley on the western side, the side we came up from with the cable car. From here you could see all the way to the Jura mountains as well.

 

But most of the view from the border line is to the East, to the Schratteflue Massif.

We sat in this hole for an hour, it was wonderful!

Some of the Bernese Alps. In the center: Mount Schreckhorn;  On the right, the highest peak in the Bernese Alps: Mount Finsteraarhorn

This hand-drawn sign says 90 minutes to Marbach. Not sure why, because it is DEFINITELY at least 2 hours!

First part across the ski hill was steep, but the rest was easy-going! Off we go on the walking trail back down into the valley

Walking down the North side of the hill it was all shadow, but the snow was lovely

On the opposite side of where we were walking, to the North, it was all sunshine!

Once in a while we walked through small pools of sunshine, but there was always this great view to look backwards to.

 

A little bit of welcome sunshine

Last stretch before getting back to Marbach, which dozes happily in the sunshine! We have quite a bit more shadow to cross before getting there.

The sun was shining nicely through this couloir

Without the shadow, we wouldn't see these pretty plays of sunshine

Pretty

And the whole landscape sparkled

The path to the Lourdes Cave (place of pilgrimage)

Walking through Marbach

 

A visit to the Marbach Cheese Dairy, with its vending machine outside (contains cheese plus some other snacks) and coal-infused "Witch's Cheese".

Late afternoon sunshine on the Entlebuch landscape on our train ride back home

AND we can see the wall of fog as we approach from the West! Rest of the way home was in the fog

One can walk back to the cable car station, but we caught the bus on the North side of the village at the Dairy

Up with the cable car, down on foot (two hours)

Marbach in the Entlebuch Region of Switzerland (Canton Luzern)

To the summit of Mount Colma near Locarno

January 26, 2019 -- What is pretty obvious by now: We love climbing mountains. So we are counting down the days until April when we can finally get into the higher altitudes.... In the meantime there are still mountains to climb "Down South" only 2 hours travel for us, and by now we know which regions get the best sunshine at this time of year! 

So off we went on Saturday once again to the region just West of Locarno where the Melezza River from the Centovalli flows into the Maggia River from the Maggia Valley. This region is called "Terre di Pedemonte" and the "mountain" (Colma, 795 m) at the junction of those two rivers was just ideal for us to climb.... 550m straight up, and since most of the trail was conveniently laid out with stones creating steps most of the way up, and since the air was just cool enough to make the climb pleasant, we were at the top in less than 90 minutes. Ideal hiking weather.

Instead of coming back down the same way, we walked on the North side of the mountain to a little hamlet of stone houses (Breccia) at the pass into the Maggia Valley, and returned by way of the Riei Valley, a trail we have done for the third time now, and still one of our favourites. 

Start of the hike in Tegna near Locarno

Through the village Tegna to start up the mountainside

At this point, where the trail splits and one way goes to the Oratorio Sant'Anna, we went up the other way. This is the first time I've been on a trail that consists of a cemented-over retaining wall. 

 

After 30 minutes we reached this cute little clearing (Forcola) with many picnic tables, where we had our coffee break.

 

View toward Locarno. Below on the hill are the ruins of the Tegna Fortress which used to guard the entrance to the Maggia Valley

Zoomed view of the remains of the Tegna Fortress on the other smaller hill below

On the other side of the Maggia Valley (to the East). Up on those hills is a ski area called Cardada.

Since electricity is required for the ski lift on the other side (Cardada), they just simple built power lines along the rocky ridge.

Looking North into the Maggia Valley. The village below is called Avegno. We have been there a few times.

Zoomed view of the village of Avegno in the Maggia Valley

 

On the other side of the Maggia Valley is a mountain whose peak we climbed last year, not from the valley bottom, but rather from the summit of the ski lift

Before the last 70 m to the summit of Mount Colma is this fantastic view North into the Maggia Valley

   

At the summit of Mount Colma

Lunch Time! Behind us is Intragna and the Centovalli

And the view toward Locarno and the junction of the two rivers. There was mist over Lago Maggiore, and not the best view, but for climbing the weather was great. And for January!!!

Monument at the top of Mount Colma. From here we head North to Streccia.

One of our favourite little hamlets: Streccia. This is also located at a pass into the Maggia Valley

All kinds of nice details with Rocks

 

One of our favourite little valleys

Such a nice touch with the rock walls, and a circular stone design on the path

 

And all kinds of little bridges along the way

 

Like out of a storybook

Here the trail splits. Last time we went left, this time we go right.

 

The trail even had some challenge to it, along a cliff with hand rails

After a steep descent, we are back in the next town over: Verscio

Everywhere are pretty things to see

On the way back to Locarno by train: The hill we climbed does not look so big next to the one behind it!

It took us 90 minutes to the summit, and another 90 minutes back out to Verscio via Streccia

The 550m ascent was steep but went pretty quickly. This area offers us opportunities to climb mountains also in winter.

It's getting more difficult to find a place we haven't hiked yet! (except for much higher)