Bernese Oberland - Day 6 - Grindelwald

The clouds are breaking up this morning after heavy rains in the evening yesterday, so taking advantage of the clearer weather, we are heading to Abbach Falls. We will take two buses to get beyond the falls and then walk. There is more rain in the forecast today. Hoping we’ll get back to the hotel before it hits hard. 

After breakfast we loaded up our packs with rain gear, snacks and water and headed right outside the hotel to catch the bus. 

We are staying in the Edelweis room. 

While waiting for the bus, I walked around the church. 

I’ve never seen such a lovely cemetery. Each grave is a flower garden. So very beautiful!

The next two photos are a spoof on all the instagram photo shoots we’ve seen over the last few days. 

Sorry. I know that’s silly. This is the most touristy town we’ve visited and it’s astounding how focused people are on themselves over God’s majestic creation. All I can think of is the verse in Ecclesiastes, “Vanity of vanities, says the preacher. Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.”

Map of the mountain we are on and the trails.

Before taking off downhill, we stopped to listen to the cowbells. What a picture and sound. So very Switzerland and we are away from all the people. It’s just the Lord, the cows and us. 

Watching for the yellow trail markers. 

The trail offered more stunning views of the green and verdant valley framed by white-capped mountains, made even more brilliant by the glow of the early morning sun, even as the clouds are rolling in. 

It is a very steep, downhill trail, so we’re taking it easy, being kind to our knees, although, it was not kind to Jo Anne’s hip. 

Clouds are right behind you Jo Anne.

She doesn’t usually move this fast so I filmed it for proof that she can. 🤣

Thyme

Cypress spurge

Fox-and-cubs Pilosella

Also a pilosella but commonly called mouse-ear hawkweed

Wild geranium

Hoary plantain 

Fields of wildflowers 

Thalictrum

meadow-rue

More cows on the hill with bells clanging. 

It started to spit on us a bit, so we stopped to cover our packs and tie our raincoats around us for easy access. Fortunately, we didn’t need them. 

This walk, as with all the others, is so surreal. There are no words to describe it. 

First glimpse of the falls

Shortly after the falls, we reach Weidl (vie-dl), where we’ll catch the bus back to town. We talked about walking all the way back but Jo Anne’s hip had enough. 

Another visit to the COOP to gather evening snacks and train snacks for tomorrow, followed by a stop for our big meal today. 

I went for the bratwurst again, this time with sauerkraut and spaetze. Sooo good (well I didn’t eat the spaetze because it’s pasta, but the brat, mustard and sauerkraut were the best)!!!

Jo Anne had the weinerschnitzel.

Our meals were delicious and the perfect cap to another unbelievable hike and the end of our 3 days in the Bernese Oberland. 

Colorful snails 

Returning to Hotel Glestchergarten to enjoy one more lovely afternoon on the terrace before packing up.

Oat biscuit

We are all packed up, hiking poles and boots back in the suitcase 😢 and just enjoying the time we have left on the terrace at the foot of the alps. The clouds are heavy and low but it hasn’t rained as expected. 

Stats

Steps - 11,299

Miles - 4.9

Elev gain - 7

Descent - 2,805’ 

“The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.”

Psalm 90:10

Thought this verse appropriate since I am 70, and can’t read this verse without hearing the song and thinking of my grandpa, who loved it. 

“Some glad morning when this life is over I'll fly away to a home on God's celestial shore.

Just a few more weary days and then I'll fly away to a land where joy shall never end.”

Hallelujah and hallelujah!!!