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The marmots are calling and I must go - a fantastic hiking weekend in the Bernese Oberland


Schynige Platte (2'099 m)- Faulhorn (2'681 m) - Bachalpsee (2'265 m) - First (2'167 m) - Grosse Scheidegg (1'962 m)

Ten years ago, I called hiking one of the most boring activities on earth. I didn't like it and my parents had to blackmail me with ice cream to get me on a hike. Nowadays, I could go hiking every weekend. Last weekend I did a fantastic 2-day-hike with four good friends of mine. We started in Wilderswil (near Interlaken) and took the little train up to Schynige Platte, a mountain ridge at 2'099 m. Already in the train, we had a fantastic view!
Once arrived at Schynige Platte, we were welcomed by the sounds of two alphorns. Soo cliché - but quite nice at such a place! 

We started our hike - destination Faulhorn. We crossed wide landscapes, surrounded by mountains, the sun was shining and by chatting, we forgot that we had 5 h left to hike. 

 

Lake Thun 




Even if the weather was hot this day, the winter hadn't disappeared completely up there. We had to cross several snow fields, which was a bit scary, as the paths were small and the hills steep. Off course, we didn't wear the good shoes - but hey, finally we made it! 


"Don't fall! Don't fall!! Ok... Calm yourself. Everything will be fine soon... "
 We did a pitstop in a little cottage halfways. As it was the first weekend that those mountain cottages opened this year, there weren't much people on the way. 
 

It got cloudier and cloudier, but there we already saw it up on the hill in front of us: The Faulhorn hotel, our home for this night! 

 


After 5 h of walking, we reached the hotel (Berghotel Faulhorn, --> Link), built in 1830. We enjoyed the view and watched the clouds coming and going while having a cup of coffee and some cake. What a nice treat after the exhausting hike! 




We had a nice and huuuuge dinner (I have to say that it was the cook's first work day :-)), played some games and enjoyed the fact that we didn't have to go down this day. 

The last day tourists disappeared and it got very quiet in and around the hotel. The last rays of sunlight turned the mountains and the surroundings into a special light and we saw a very special sunset. It was magical. 





During the night, we slept in a room with about 20 other people. Even if we were a bit afraid that we wouldn't close one eye because of all the snoring, we slept very well. The waking-up the next day didn't disappear: The sky was clear blue!! 


 


After recharging our batteries with a good breakfast, we started our hike part 2. This time downwards.



Bye bye, dear Faulhorn Berghotel

This would definitely be easier with skis!
Along the way, we found some veeery typical Swiss inhabitants: The marmots! 



Do you see the little marmot enjoying the view over Bachalpsee (Lake Bachalp)?
We arrived at Bachalpsee, a lake which became quite famous in times of Social Media (hello, Instagram) and we were surrounded by Asian tourists. But really: This is a magical place indeed, don't you think? 




About one hour later, we arrived at First, a summit which you can reach easily by cable car. Therefore it's well known by tourists from all over the world. 

 We did the Cliff Walk around the summit. If you're afraid of heights like me, this really is a good confrontation therapy! :-) 



After another hour of walking, we finally reached our goal: The Grosse Scheidegg, a mountain pass. We had delicious lunch there and then took the bus to Grindelwald from where we started our way home. 


What a fantastic weekend in the mountains! 
--> Inspired? Find some information about the hike here: 

 https://www.wanderungen.ch/en/tours/detail-tour.281.html?tour=208
https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/schynige-platte/mountain-hike-schynige-platte-faulhorn-first/

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