20th of July, 2018
In Meilen on Lake Zürich, we take the ferry to Horgen and drive from there to Luzern. We park the car in one of the many garages in town and hope our three-hour stop will be enough to get a glimpse of this attractive city. It seems as if all the tourists from Switzerland arrived at the same time as we did, but we work our way to the Vierwaldstätten See and pretend we are the only ones…….
The main hotspot is the wooden Chapel Bridge and the octagonal Water Tower, dating back to the year 1332. After a fire in the year 1993, it was totally rebuilt. Just a few of the paintings did survive……..
We follow for a while the river Reuss and find our way back to the car, through the charming streets of the inner city. By now the rain starts and we continue our route over the Brünigpass, along the Brienzer See, via the outskirts of Interlaken and finally reaching our hotel Movieworld in Spiez am Thunersee. The hotel is one of a kind; it has a movie theatre on the lower level, basic rooms with a theme, a parking under the shopping centre and from the breakfast/dining room a fantastic view. Just a ‘bit’ too close to the train station…….
We decide to hike to the tiny harbour down below, bordering an impressive park with olympic swimming pool. For the first time we need long trousers and sweaters, as the climate is totally different here in Berner Oberland. The restaurants are pretty occupied, but we find a small place with simple, but pricy food…….
21st of July, 2018
The next morning, after a delicious breakfast, we hike to Thun. Part of the road goes through the fields, part through the woods and also a part through an ugly little village. Finally, somebody shows us a nice way to the lake and we follow this path, until we reach Thun.
The ‘Thunerseespiele’ Mamma Mia will be performed on a huge stage right on the lake and this event attracts many people from all over Switzerland.
Also famous in Thun is the fast running water of the river Aare, by the old bridge, where surfers are showing their ability to stay on the paddle board. Some are experienced and some are not…..
After, the old town invites us for a drink and a bite on the central plaza. Thun has many interesting landmarks, but we are running out of time. The enormous castle on top of the hill has to wait, for maybe another occasion. Walking all the way back is also not an option. Our feet are sore and the train is bringing us back to Spiez in just ten minutes.
22nd of July, 2018
We need a good night sleep for our hike the following day up the Niederhorn. First we drive to the long-stretched village Beatenberg on the Brienzersee and from there we go via small and steep goat trails all the way up. It is a beautiful walk with amazing views over the mountain range on the other side of the lake. With clear weather you can see the Jungfrau, Mönch and Eiger! Many visitors just take the funicular to the highest point and back, but we enjoy our hike away from the crowds.
