22-JUL-2018
Walking from Ferden to Kippel, our favourite 20 minute but scenic walk.
Setting out from the village of Ferden, through its sloping cobbled streets and past the tiny St Barbara chapel, we find the grassy walking path rising steeply to a point above our view. Up and around and then as the trail leads down, we see the majestic mountains towering above the deep river valley.
19-JUL-2018
Looking back along the track from Ferden to Kippel
It is such a beautiful walk and so much to take in. Wildflowers grow in profusion and I ike the view back to Ferden from the high point before going down towars Kippel.
Which path?
Signposts along the trails show various destinations
>Walking paths or "wanderwegs" offer a variety of choices.
22-JUL-2018
A misty early morning walk to Kippel
There is no shop in Ferden but Kippel has just one, the bakery, which opens early and is closed before noon. On a cloudy, misty morning we set out to the bakery, the church bells of St Barbara Chapel chiming the hour. The fields are damp with dew and the mighty mountains shrouded in part by clouds. The atmosphere is delightful.
22-JUL-2018
Alpine Flowers
Our grassy path to Kippel is edged for part of the way with a freestone wall, many of the stones, large or small moss covered. Grasses and alpine flowers of all kinds grow around and beside the stones. Trees provide shade - I notice several rowan, birch, alder trees and many I have yet to identify. As the path becoes more grassy, the rock wall disappears and we look out at green mown pasture on one side with wild alpine flowers and grasses of all kinds going to seed.
19-JUL-2018
St Martin's Church in the early morning mist
It is still early as we approach Kippel on our walk from Ferden to the Bakery in Kippel. The church tower of St Martin's looms up evocatively as the mist begins to rise. Very few people are around except a few,like us, calling at the Bakery.
19-JUL-2018
Looking back at the village of Kippel
As we begin our walk back to our little chalet in Ferden, we reach a high point just as the path begins to turn down towards the bridge and the rushing stream. It is here that we admire the best view of Kippel and tell ourselves we will do this walk as often as we can.
19-JUL-2018
One of the two wooden bridges on the walk to Kippel {PG}
There are two bridges to cross, each over a continuous torrent of glacial water from the high mountains. The valley has countless streams flowing down the deeper mountain folds, silver ribbons in the sunlight or white in the morning and evening, but always there as the icy glaciers and snow patches slowly melt.
The water makes its way down to the wide swift River Lonza, along which the villages are situated.
22-JUL-2018
Fat Snails in the Misty Morning
We see so many large fat snails, unlike any we have ever seen in Australia, crawling slowly back to wherever they spend the dry days. I warn Philip not to tread on any, to watch his steps and to admire their lovely big shells.
Perhaps thse are the kind of snails eaten as a gourmet dish in France?
22-JUL-2018
End of flowering
Our walks have taken us past delightful wildflowers in many colours and varieties. Towards the end of our three week stay here most are fading and going to seed as Autumn sets in. They are still very lovely and these, which had been spreading white flowers, are now green and showing seedheads almost ready to burst open and sow themselves ready forthe next Spring. The while flower heads are similar to those we call Queen Anne's Lace, or more prosaically by some, Cow Parsley.
24-JUL-2018
The Lonza River below Ferden
Our village does not straddle the river but sits high above on one side. It is a very steep walk down a path and over a solid steel bridge just to see the river at this point, but we have done it several times. It is a great sight, swelling out across the valley floor with white sandy and gravel "beaches" but out of reach to the general walkers like us. However the views back towards Ferden also make the steep walk worthwhile.
24-JUL-2018
A very steep walk up from the river at Ferden
It's a hot and very steep climb back from the River Lonza at Ferden. There is a lake somewhere along there, towards Goppenstein but we cannot find it.
24-JUL-2018
Alpine Flowers everywhere and some for our Ferden chalet
I love the flowers and know, in Australia, one should never pick wild flowers..... the saying is "Take nothing but photographs and leave nothing but footprints". But, here there are so many field flowers which are being cut along with all the grasses, obviously as winter fodder to be stored in the log huts which are everywhere.
Just one bunch was so tempting. No more!
22-JUL-2018
Hotel Nest - Und Bietschhorn
One day, after a long walk from Ferden, across fields and slopes, we reached this hotel at Ried just in time for a delightful lunch on the terrace. There were stunning views across to the Bietschhorn mountain.
22-JUL-2018
Walking back from lunch at Ried {PG}
We decided to walk from Wiler to Blatten, across the walking paths, but when we reached Ried, a VERY small hamlet just before Blatten, we found the Hotel Nest-und Bietschhorn. It was so tempting to stop there for a lunch high on the front terrace, with stunning views across the valley and mountains to the Bietschhorn itself. Gourmet food, 5 star service and a pleasant rest. Afterwards, we started our walk back to Wiler and thought to leave Blatten for another day.
30-JUL-2018
Setting out from Fafleralp to walk to Grundsee
At Fafleralp there are cars and campers from all over Europe, as well as the many from Switzerland. This is not surprising because the surrounding snow patched mountains and glacial rivers are absolutely stunning. Summer holidays are ideal for serious long distance walkers and more leisurely visitors and family groups to enjoy the many trails offered from the base car-parking and amenities area. Here, camping is also permitted. Fat, happy cows graze in lush pastures beside the wide Lonza River or on hillsides just above.
After a typically Swiss lunch on wooden platters, a choice from the open air cafe, we set out on short walk up the valley and mountains to Grundsee, a glacial lake.
26-JUL-2018
Almost at Grundsee
There have been many walkers along the track to Grundsee, but not over crowded at all. A few mountain bikers pass in each direction, family groups walk together, often with a baby in a carrier or sling and toddlers gambolling beside. We have been impressed with the fit, elderly and obviously well experienced walkers who greet us along the way.
Finally, the glacier and lake are in sight!
26-JUL-2018
Grundsee at Last
So lovely to arrive at this spectacular lake. People were just sitting and relaxing on the grassy hills behind this image. Many, like Philip, just had to go fiurther to that patch of snow to see it closely. The actual glacier is higher above. Philip could not touch the snow as it was beyond a rushing river.
Back at the lake, some little girls in swimsuits were deliecatley trying the icy clear water. A mother stripped down to her two piece and ducked in, declaring "This is so good for the blood!" Philip went paddling...... and filled our water bottle with the most clean clear water. Otherwise, most just admired the view and relaxed.
I did see a couple with a dog walk to the far side and throw a stick for avery happy dog to fetch!
26-JUL-2018
A Closer Look
Some people had to get very close to the snow. Others were content to watch from the grassy banks.
26-JUL-2018
Setting Off Back to Base
This walk ended at Grundsee and after relaxing around the beautiful icy lake for some time it was time to set off back the way we came. Philip has filled our water bottle with clear glacial water and is leading the way back. Many people are still coming up the track. One sight seen while at the lake was a helicopter high against the mountains, making what seemed several trips back and forth. At one stage it seemed to be towing something large and orange. I wondered aloud if someone on a track fiurther away but within view had had an accident and a rescue was being attempted.
I mentioned this to some others at the lake and they replied, knowingly, that it was meely a delivery of materials and equipment for the construction of a small bridge over there, which had been damaged by earlier flooding.
20-JUL-2018
Log cabin storehouses at Fafleralp
Log cabin storehouses such as these are dotted around the mountain slopes as well as right within the villages amomg the chalets. This group are beside the River Lonza and across a bridge from the main road to Fafleralp.
22-JUL-2018
Glacial waters
The River Lonza rushes along the floor of the Loetschental Valley, and is fed by numerous streams pouring down the mountains either side, in valley folds and wherever the water can gather to make its way down. The streams can be seen from all places along the valley, silver in the sunlight or white in the mists of morning and evening.