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 June 23-29, 2009 Plan your arrival in Switzerland for June 22, 2009 Plan your departure for June 30, 2009  Although less than 15% of the Alps lie within Switzerland, this small country is arguably the very essence of the Alpine experience. The mention of its name brings to mind sweeping alpine meadows punctuated by gem-like tarns back-dropped by towering peaks. You’ll find that Switzerland lives up to its sometimes mythical reputation. It’s a fantasy of classic Alpine landscapes and glacier encrusted peaks. On this trip you’ll discover the dense network of trails that radiate from the flowery meadows surrounding two Swiss villages renowned as hiking centers—Grindelwald in the Berner Oberland, and Zermatt in the Valaisian Alps. You’ll find that each is a hiker’s "nirvana!" |
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 5 The Jungfrau from Männlichen |
Day 1 Overnight in Grindelwald Dinner included Stunning views of the Wetterhorn and the well-known Eiger greet you as day breaks in Grindelwald, your base for the next two days. Start your exploration of the Berner Oberland with a cable car ride to Männlichen, a grassy ridge that separates the Grindelwald basin from the neighboring valley of Lauterbrunnen. If you like, follow the broad path to the summit of the Männlichen Gipfel for ever-expanding views of the glacier-draped Jungfrau and surrounding high peaks of the Lauterbrunnen Wall. Or, set off on a wide, gently descending path toward the Kleine Scheidegg, a mountain pass close by the towering north wall of the Eiger. From the Kleine Scheidegg, ascend by cog railway to the icy Jungfraujoch (11,333 ft above sea level) which offers an introduction to a world of rock, ice, and perpetual snow--an environment usually reserved for mountaineers. You can return directly to Grindelwald via the railway, or you can disembark at the Eigergletscher Station and walk the spectacular Eiger Nordwand trail to Alpiglen from where a train will carry you the remainder of the way to Grindelwald. |
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Day 2 Overnight in Grindelwald Breakfast & dinner included A choice of hikes awaits you in the mountains north of Grindelwald. From the Grosse Scheidegg, a broad, meadowy pass at the base of the towering Wetterhorn, follow the gently ascending trail to the gondola station at First. If you desire, you can continue further to the Bachalpsee, a mountain lake whose calm waters reflect the soaring summits of the Berner Oberland. The view from the slopes above the north shore of the Bachalpsee is a picture perfect Switzerland classic! From the lake, continue across grassy slopes, past the mountain farmstead of Feld, and into the glorious meadowlands of the Bussalp from where a shuttle bus will return you to Grindelwald. Strong hikers can undertake the well-known, day-long hiking route known as the Faulhornweg from First to Schynige Platte. This route follows ridge lines and open meadows for its entire distance and the views never quit. It’s a long and tiring hike, but for those who love the high country, this is a "dream-walk." Across the valley, the summits of the Wetterhorn, Schreckhorn, and Eiger will be your constant companions! As you approach Schynige Platte, the views of the massive peaks of the Mönch and Jungfrau become more and more impressive. Just before reaching Schynige Platte you’ll enjoy a ridge walk that offers bird’s eye views down to the waters of the Brienzer See and town of Interlaken, 4,700 feet below! At Schynige Platte, catch the cog railway to Wilderswil from where you can connect with a train back to Grindelwald. |
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3 Overnight in Kandersteg Breakfast & dinner included Depart Grindelwald by train bound for Kandersteg where a chairlift provides access to trails around the spectacular Oeschinensee, a turquoise mountain lake reminiscent of the Canadian Rockies. Follow broad paths to the shores of the lake, or ascend to the meadows surrounding the mountain farmstead of Unter Bärgli. Those seeking a more vigorous walk can continue beyond Unter Bärgli to complete a loop hike that returns to the chairlift via an exciting trail high above the northern shore of the Öeschinensee. The bird’s eye views over the Öeschinensee from this path are simply spectacular, and the "wall" of the Blümlisalp mountains that hem in the lake’s southern shore appear impossibly vertical. Descend via chairlift to Kandersteg. |
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How could experiencing beauty like that
and seeing those mountains for the first time not exceed my expectations!
I cannot go back to life as I knew it after the spa experience at the
Hotel Julen. My view every morning was the Matterhorn centered at my
balcony! What a wonderful world! |
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Day 4 Overnight in Zermatt Breakfast & dinner included From Kandersteg, ascend by cable car up to Sunnbüel from where you follow a trail leading to the Gemmi Pass, a trans-mountain route used for centuries to connect the Berner Oberland with the Rhone River Valley and the Valais region. From the upper station of the cable car, the path traverses meadows known for their profusion of wildflowers and skirts the limestone-ringed lake called Daubensee before reaching the Gemmi Pass. From the pass, weather permitting, the view south across the Rhone Valley is punctuated by the peaks of the Valaisian Alps including the Matterhorn and Monte Rosa. A cable car descends from Gemmi Pass to the village of Leukerbad, or you can descend on foot via a switchbacking, step-filled path that was constructed in the early 18th century. From Leukerbad, travel by post bus and train to Zermatt in Switzerland's Valais (French), or Wallis (German), region. Here, the Alps reach a crescendo in a sea of ice and rock summits like Monte Rosa, the Breithorn, and that icon of the Alps, the Matterhorn. Enjoy four nights in Zermatt which nestles at the foot of the glacier-clad Mischabel Range containing the Dom, the highest peak entirely within Swiss borders. |
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 5 Grindjisee |
Day 5 Overnight in Zermatt Breakfast included The greatest concentration of Alpine summits over 13,000 feet surrounds the town of Zermatt. Here, the Valaisian Alps (part of the Pennine Alps) form the highest mountain wall in Europe. From Zermatt, ascend via underground funicular to the "balcony" of Sunnegga for stunning views of the Matterhorn punctuating the skyline above Zermatt. A selection of trails leads you through meadows and past picturesque alpine tarns like the Grindjisee and Stellisee. Return to car-free, pedestrian-only Zermatt by cable car and funicular, or return on foot via the weathered alpine huts and granaries of the mountain hamlets of the Findelalp. |
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 5 Riffelsee |
Day 6 Overnight in Zermatt Breakfast & dinner included Ride the cog railway to Gornergrat (10,138 feet above sea level) for description-defying views of the sweeping flow the Gorner Glacier and the giant ice-crowned peaks—including Monte Rosa, Lyskamm, Castor, Pollux, Breithorn, and the Matterhorn—that rise along the Swiss-Italian border. Follow the trail as it descends rapidly through a barren, windswept, tundra-like environment to the shores of the upper Riffelsee tarn and another postcard view of the Matterhorn reflected in still waters. From this point, you can make your way to the Riffelberg Station to catch the cog railway back to Zermatt. Or, you can continue down along the stream that drains the Riffelsee to the rocky outcrop called Gagenhaupt; the Gorner Glacier lies 1,000 feet below this point. Continue your descent along the western slope of the Riffelberg to the Protestant and Catholic chapels at Riffelalp. You can hop aboard the train at Riffelalp Station to return to Zermatt. |
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Steve and Jo were fantastic; they were savvy with regard to the area [and] were very accommodating, friendly, and fun to hike with. They were also professional about their jobs...and sensitive to the local culture and customs of the Swiss. Steve and Jo went beyond my expectations to make my 50th birthday memorable. |
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5 On the Höhbalmen Höhenweg  5 The hamlet of Zmutt |
Day 7 Overnight in Zermatt Breakfast & dinner included Start your day with a 10-15 minute stroll to the base station of the Zermatt-Furi cable car system. The cable car will whisk you effortlessly to the Schwarzsee, a picturesque lake cupped in a rocky basin with a white chapel on its shore. Enjoy views of the Matterhorn and glorious vistas of the Ober Gabelhorn across the Zmutt Valley. Descend to the hamlet of Furi--either on foot or via cable car--and walk to the hamlet of Zmutt, a picturesque collection of wooden barns and slate-roofed houses. From Zmutt, you can return to Zermatt via the scenic path called the Panoramaweg, or you can continue westward up the Zmuttal on the Höhbalmen Höhenweg, said by some to be the most beautiful hike not only in the Swiss Alps but in the entire Alpine Range. The trail, which offers less-familiar but spectacular views of the Matterhorn, climbs steadily to the high balcony of the Höhbalmen. Most of the Höhbalmen lies at about 8,700 feet above sea level. On a clear day, the mountain views are stupendous. The Mischabel Range, the Findel Glacier, Riffelberg, Monte Rosa, the Gorner Glacier, the Lyskamm, Castor, Pollux, Briethorn, the Matterhorn and the Dent d’Hérens are arrayed in a grand panorama from the northeast to the southwest. And to the west and north, the peaks of the Ober Gabelhorn and the Zinalrothorn complete the 360 degree view. Descend to Zermatt via the narrow valley of the Triftbach, and watch for ibex along the way! Enjoy a farewell dinner this evening. Your breakfast tomorrow morning is included. |
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Other Details about this Trip
Trip Dates: June 23-29, 2009 (Trip Leaders: Steve and Jo Zimmermann) Price: $3,575 (2009 price TBA) Single Room for entire trip: $300 (2009 price TBA) Meeting Point: Grindelwald, Switzerland on the morning of June 23. Plan to arrive in Grindelwald on June 22. The cost of lodging for the evening of June 22 is not included in the trip price. Departure Point: Zermatt, Switzerland. Tour services conclude after dinner on the evening of June 29. Accommodations: Seven nights total at 4-star establishments in Grindelwald, Kandersteg and Zermatt. Seven breakfasts and six dinners are included. Notes: A Swiss Card rail pass is included in the price of this trip. The Swiss Card entitles you to a 50% reduction in fares for many transportation services in Switzerland for a period of 30 days. It also entitles you to a round trip journey by train from a Swiss airport (or border crossing) to a single destination in Switzerland. |
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Traveling with Walking Softly Adventures didn't seem like a tour. It seemed like we were being taken around by friends who lived nearby. --JAN NARAGON Everything was wonderful--the accommodations, food, and especially the company... By far one of the nicest times I have ever spent on vacation. --KAREN WADE |
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Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 |
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