Highlights on the Via Alpina There are so many highlights I can’t possibly do justice to them in one blog post. Here are my standout moments and undiscovered gems. I’m sure yours will be different: …
Continue reading “The Via Alpina 1 in Retrospect”
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L’Etivaz to Montreux The final two stages, (Stage 18 and 19) of the Via Alpina pose some logistical challenges for most hikers. The designated route leaves something to be desired, and there are no accommodations …
Continue reading “Stage 18 & 19 – L’Etivaz to Montreux”
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Gstaad and L’Etivaz—Worlds apart You couldn’t find two towns in all of Switzerland more different from each other than of Gstaad, our starting point, and L’Etivaz at day’s end. One is German, the other French-speaking. …
Continue reading “Stage 17 – Gstaad to L’Etivaz – Via Alpina 1”
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Leaving Lenk and cruising over the Trüttlisbergpass This stage, and the remaining stages, could be more properly classified as “mountain walks” than “alpine hikes.” They’re more relaxing than demanding. More energizing than exhausting. Leaving Lenk …
Continue reading “Stage 16 – Lenk to Gstaad – Via Alpina 1”
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Over the Hahnenmoospass On the Via Alpina 1, Stage 15 from Adelboden to Lenk, I breathe deep knowing all the high passes are behind us. The Hohtürli and Sefinenfurgge are fading memories. Gone are the …
Continue reading “Stage 15 – Adelboden to Lenk – Via Alpina 1”
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Via Alpina – Stage 12 – Lauterbrunnen to Griesalp This stage has so many highlights and so many options it’s hard to know where to start. It’s a long day—10 hours of hiking if you …
Continue reading “Stage 12 – Lauterbrunnen to Griesalp”
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Via Alpina – Stage 11 – Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen OK—This is where I break rank from the Via Alpina 1 on the Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen path. If you haven’t already guessed, I’m not the purest …
Continue reading “Stage 11 – Grindelwald to Lauterbrunnen”
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Stage 5 – Linthal (Braunwald) to Urnerboden After two back-to-back 14-mile days—both with over 5000 feet of vertical ascent—we (Elain and me) looked forward to today’s kinder, gentler terrain. Stage Five of the Via Alpina …
Continue reading “Stage 5 – Linthal (Braunwald) to Urnerboden – Hike the Via Alpina 1”
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