Gimmelwald, Switzerland

Wow! I'm in love! Switzerland, especially Gimmelwald has gotten me hooked!

While it's technically at a lower elevation than Ft. Collins, by about 500 ft, it feels so much higher. The mountains look very different as well. These just seem to be sheer rock faces that grow up out of nowhere. To me, the Rockies seem to have more ridges in front and foothills, so the mountain peaks seem more gradual.

This is an interesting time of year to visit Gimmelwald. Most everyting is closed; I hit the mountain hostel on its closing weekend. It is hard to find a restaurant open as well. But t is very quiet and peaceful without the crowds. The first afternoon I sat out on the terrace taking in the scenery, enjoying my book, and trying to recoup from Munich. It was a good thing too, seeing as the group at the hostel picked up where Munich left off.


Gimmelwald is breathtaking! Snow capped mountain peaks in every direction, amazing hikes, and plenty of cowbells. The weather was actually pretty good for the beginning of November. I wanted to take the gondola up to one of the peaks, but no such luck while I was there. The first day was too windy up top, so they shut down the gondola. The second day there was a conference of some sort that took over the entire top of the mountain, 400 people they said. So I did some smaller hikes and read my book. My calves are really sore. I think from the downhill portions of my hikes.

I was reading the guestbook at the hostel on my last night. It was filled with people saying things like, I came to Gimmelwald for 2 nights and stayed 5, this is what heaven must be like, and I know I will be coming back to this place.

It is hard to not sound cliche, but I totally agree! Gimmelwald made it on my list of places to come back to, like there was ever a doubt in that! And this time I will make it to the peak of the mountain. I am not leaving until I do!!

The scenic train ride through Switzerland was Gorgeous! On one leg of it I was on a classic old-time railcar. I got pics and took a video of it to post. (I guess I should do,that, huh?)  It was a really great ride. The route I chose made for a really long day. The best part was from Interlaken to Montreaux.