Europe | Switzerland

★ Week Nine Itinerary:

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Grindelwald, Switzerland

Munich 🚌 Zurich 🚂 Grindelwald

Grindelwald, Switzerland | September 19th – 23rd.

We’re halfway in our Europa travels! Wow time flies. And what better time than travelling to a place I have dreamed about visiting for years; Switzerland.

Visiting Grindelwald and the surrounding Interlaken region was extremely bittersweet.

A cherished friend of mine travelled to this region earlier this year and raved about how stunning the surroundings were. With snow covered peaked mountains, tiny villages and ringing cow bells she enthusiastically chatted about how much she was loving her time their and how I would when I visited later.

She encouraged and supported me not just in the decision to stop work and travel to Europe for four months but with many career, personal, really life decisions. She seized opportunities, new experiences and never let anything hold her back. She lived!

In going to Grindelwald I was met with excitement at a new country, in a beautiful region and the cogwheel train, numerous hiking trails and fluffy animals that she said I’d enjoy!

But also the constant reminder that she had been here, admired Mt Eiger like I, eaten the same breakfast as I (the hostel recommendation was hers) and maybe even trotted the same trail as me. She was all around and with me everyday without having to say a word. ❤

While in Grindelwald (1034m) we hiked many trails and ascended many peaks. Day one saw us catch the cablecar to Eigergletscher (2333m) and then the cogwheel train (the highest railway in Europe) to the ‘Top of Europe’ Jungfraujoch (3454m); it was magical!

The feeling of stepping outside and gazing up at the Jungfrau mountain all whilst the icy air swept across my face and snow crunched underfoot I will never forget; it became a different world! If you are ever in the region I highly, highly recommend you visit the UNESCO site of Jungfraujoch.

On day two we headed up the other side of the valley via a gondola to First (2168m). Once on top we took a cliff edge walk around First as we gazed across the valley towards Mt Wetterhorn (3892m), Schrechhorn (4078m), Finsteraarhorn (4272m) and Fiescherhorner (4094m) and I took far too many pictures of Mt Eiger (not to dissimilar from the previous day to be honest 😛 ). Then we trotted along the Bachalpsee trail towards the lakes and then to the top to Mt Faulhorn (2681m). The panoramic views from here were incredible! You could see everything; the villages below, Klettersteig Schwarzhorn, Schynige Platte, even Interlaken and the two lakes that border it (Thunersee and Brienzersee). On our descent we followed a different trail down the mountain, through Feld and Bussalp (1792m) before arriving back at our hostel for another great sunset.

Here we explored the town and surrounding waterfalls (Staubbach and Trummelbach) before making our way back to our hostel for the final night.

The few days spent around Grindelwald were magical and made all the more special knowing that I had achieved the trip and adventure recommended by my dear friend. ❤

Zermatt, Switzerland

Grindelwald 🚂 Zermatt

Zermatt, Switzerland | September 23rd – 26th.

If you search Zermatt chances are a majority of the images will include the Matterhorn, if you read about activities in the region or trails to be hiked chances are they’ll describe the best spots you can visit to get views of the Matterhorn and if you mention to anyone that you’re going to Zermatt chances are… well you get it, the region likes this mountain. Leading up to our trip I became a little obsessed with the icon of Toblerone chocolate and really wanted as many experiences with this mountain as my backdrop.

Once unpacking we quickly set off along the Arvenweg and Swiss Topwalk trails towards Riffelberg (2582m). Along the way I caught glimpses of the surrounding mountains before we cleared the tree line and the mighty mountain came into view. With the sun setting behind and casting a shadow over the valley below the Matterhorn appeared elegant but also daunting, with its jagged edges and share size; the views were well worth everyones hype.

Unfortunately the weather had other ideas and day two and three saw us set out on various trails in rain and fog, only to be met with snow at some point along the way.

With a glum expression and negative attitude it was easy for N.D to become frustrated that I wasn’t enjoying the trot I so desperately wanted to do. After a lunch break, chat between us and self pep-talk I was reminded that whether or not I can see the mountain it’s still there and doesn’t change the trail I am trotting on today. I should be enjoying my experience for what it is, rain and all and not worrying about the pictures I can’t take. The pictures aren’t what I will remember about this hike but the feelings I have while doing it… and with that new mindset my discontentment and unhappiness shifted to appreciation. The gratitude I have for being able to physically and financially travel at this time, trot theses trails and experience Europe in all its beauty. That is what I chose to take from our days spent in Switzerland not the fact that I didn’t get a picture of a lake reflection. I can just Google image pictures of it later and maybe even crop the mountain into some of my own photos if I really want 😉 haha.

On our last full day in Zermatt we trotted the Matterhorn trail around the base of the mountain, through Furi and Zmutt villages, past the dam and arrived at Schwarzee (2583m). Whilst lunching it started to snow and the clouds above turned angrier and greyer by the minute. With hastily bites we finished up and then boosted our way back down the Larchenweg trail towards town.

Next stop… further south.