Grindelwald - Grosse Scheidegg to Rosenlaui

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After 2 days on the higher alps we decided that we’d cool our heels a little closer to home. We did a few household chores then headed up to Grosse Scheidegg on the bus. From there we chose to walk down to Rosenlaui. Regardless of how many times we go into this valley it never ceases to lose it’s appeal. It is the shear wall of rock so close to the track running down the Rosenlauital that makes it so awe inspiring. When you look up to the tops it is with your head at 90 degrees. The rocks have been laid down millions of years ago in a past marine environment, layer by layer. After burial at great depths where heat can change their structure the layers have been squeezed and stirred like a thick cake mixture so that the layers now look contorted as they slowly rise to the surface and eventually form mountains. It is the immensity of the towering, solid rock that is so “in your face”. Add to this the glaciers and numerous waterfalls and it’s a very wonderful sight. Now add pastures, forest and chalets to the picture and you have a picture perfect Switzerland – the reason we come here. Add again to that picture, the PostBus service to get you in and out of the area on a regular basis and you have a tourist’s dream – no cars required – “we’ll get you there and back out again”. There is almost nowhere in this country that you cannot get to on public transport of one sort or another. Even some of the more remote valleys will have a PostBus service.

So, today was a true “Wanderweg” day. We wandered off down the trail for many kilometres and passed the odd hiker puffing their way up to the Pass (what memories that brought back of the Alpine Pass Route!). Also going in the opposite direction were many road cyclists and mountain bikers. They looked totally knackered. Walking looked an infinitely easier option to going uphill steeply with a bike. There were virtually no motorised vehicles on the road so we walked some track and some road – whatever made the wanderweg the easiest. Then back on the bus back to Grindelwald, a coffee and strudel, shopping and home. Maybe the Eiger Trail tomorrow, weather permitting – no wandering on that one!

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Photos

Selling cheese at Swartzwaldalp
Woman selling alp cheese at Swartzwaldalp down the valley from Grosse Scheidegg

Picnic spot for lunch
The view from our picnic spot part way down below Grosse Scheidegg