Switzerland Hike Day 2: Schwartswaldalp to Grindelwald

At breakfast, we realized that we were the only people in the Herberge, so we felt very special. Andy really enjoyed the coffee.

Another sunny day in the Swiss Alps, we are so lucky with the weather. We can see up to the pass Grosse Schneidegg at 1,960m, which we will be going through on our way to Grindelwald. so close, and though so far away!

Up, up up and away we go. Stunning hike. It took us around 2 hours to hike the 560m up to the pass.

Reaching the mountaintop is rewarding because it is hard. 

If it was easy, everybody would do it 

- Anonymous

It is amazing to be so close to some of the highest mountains in Europe. Of, course the 360 degrees view from the pass was spectacular;  we could see way down to Grindelwald in the valley.

I got REALLY excited, but you weren't there, Stepfi!

What goes up, must go down, and so must we! Even though we zig zagged as much as we could to protect our knees, it was hard on them and the calves, as you use your legs to brake the 900 m down to the village with only a few flat areas. 

We reached Grindelwald after another 2,5 hours, and had a well deserved Migro's (thinking of our good times in Marmaris, Stephanie) supermarket sandwich and a coke on a bench.  Grindelwald (height: 1,034 m, 3,393 ft) has a population of about 4,000 residents. It took us 4,5 hours to hike the 16 km.

Our luggage waited for us at the train station (love the efficiency of the Swiss). We had a beer right next to the bus station, and still managed miss the bus to our hostel as I had to go to the wash room, and our bus was the only one which didn't take a break at the station, but just picked up passengers and went on!

So, we took the train one station, and walked the 5 minutes to Mountain Hostel Grindelwald Grund ($55/person incl. breakfast private room, WC and bath on the floor). We went for a swim in an outdoor pool to soften up the hard leg muscles, and it was fun swimming 'among the mountains'.

We both craved a salad for dinner, and found a place close by, which served a tasty chicken salad, and then went to be early - we were tired!