Friday: We spent the day on a driving tour through some of the Alps outside of Interlaken. Our objective was to travel through both the Grimsel and Susten Passes. Both, unfortunately, we're still closed (they are typically closed all winter). The day was beautiful - sunny and a cloudless blue sky, so we decide to head to Susten Pass and see how far we could get. It was spectacular - we got within a few kilometres from the top. While there was still a fair amount of snow at that elevation (~2,250 metres), we were stopped by debris remaining from winter avalanches. Crews were working to remove the debris, which included entire large trees (roots and all). It was amazing! We returned down the valley and had an excellent lunch on a beautiful Gasthaus terrace, with the green, peaceful valley laid out before us with snow-capped mountains as the backdrop. We continued exploring on our way back to Interlaken. It was an incredible day.
Saturday: It was overcast first thing, with clouds hugging the mountains in the valley. Our plan was to drive to Stechelberg (elevation 900 metres), which is the end of the road up a glacial valley from Interlaken. From there, take the tram to Grimmelwald, a pedestrian- only town @ 1,400 metres and then hike up to Murren (1,654 metres). We started the drive up in pouring rain, not knowing if we'd attempt our plan. The valley is beautiful - it is very narrow and winding, with very steep and high mountain walls on both sides. There are ~80+ waterfalls in the valley - some plunging more than 500 metres down the mountain. To use these words yet again, it was amazing and beautiful. We stopped and briefly wandered in Lauterbrunnen. The rain finally stopped, and we watched the clouds start to break and the sun begin to peak through the clouds. Our trek was going to happen after all. Again, few words can describe the trip. Everywhere we looked was beauty - every view was spectacular. Murren is a winter and summer resort town on the side of the mountain (again, pedestrian only), with many hotels and guesthouses. But May is the "off season", so most were closed and the town was virtually empty. So it was very peaceful. We enjoyed the peace and solitude. We picked up some bread, meat and cheese at a small grocers and enjoyed lunch on a bench along the mountain path overlooking the valley.
Sunday: Today we departed Interlaken. There is so much more in this area that we would like to see and do, so we will definitely return. We finished off our stay with a wonderful dinner at our hotel last night. The Royal St. George is definitely a hotel we would choose again. It was overcast again this morning, and the rain started shortly after leaving enroute to Salzburg. It poured virtually the entire trip, and the clouds were low and blanketed all the valleys we travelled, so there was no opportunity to view any scenery. But at least it was a driving day where we encountered rain. A very interesting thing - trucks are banned from driving on highways in Austria on Sundays from midnight until 10:00 pm - so driving in the rain was much easier (and likely safer). What a great concept - one we should adopt in Canada. But we all know when that will happen - and that will be a very, very, very cold day!
Pics to follow ... And will try to catch up with our visit in Salzburg tomorrow.
Prost!
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