EURO TOUR 2023 - Stage 4 - Lauterbrunnen (Suisse)

Stage 4 - Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland ) 25th Sept to 27th

It was about a 2 hour drive from Zermatt, but it could've been much longer! The Google Maps seemed to be guiding me typically just fine, but took me to a rail station in the middle of the mountains...firstly I carried straight on, but G Maps was insisting I do a U turn, back to the rail station! 

I studied the map, but any alternative was a long way round, but as I was setting off, incorrectly, noticed the entry to a car train ferry! Within 2 mins and approx 27 euros lighter, I'm sat on a car train, and going through a lengthy tunnel: The Lötschberg Tunnel.

Eventually revealing more stunning Alpine views, through a valley of ski villages, soon arriving at Thunersee, with a brief stop at Spiez...just touching on Interlaken, I decided to go straight to Lauterbrunnen,. I recalled the drive from 23 years ago, with the family, and for a moment I found it slightly emotional.

Campsite found in the village (with kitchen and lounge!), for ref about 32 euros per night. Once settled, I went for a cycle tootle up the valley (of waterfalls) to Stechelberg, then into the village for a couple of Weissbiers and a Rosti Curry, which was quite tasty.

A cold night again (but not frosty), I forgot how the narrow valley with its precipitous walls doesn't allow much sunlight! 

By 0930 I was on the Wengen mountain train with velo, and had a planned route returning to Lauterbrunnen via Klein Schiedegg (at nearly 7,000ft the highest point) and Grindelwald...to complete an actual full circuit would've meant scaling the almost vertical cliff up to Wengen, although the first few kilometres from my start in Wengen, were very brutal, although eventually it settled, but always climbing to Klein Schiedegg....the sun was out again, and the views were magnificent...with the Eiger and the Jungfrau being the most famous...from Klein Schiedegg it was a huge descent to Grindelwald, then valley rides from there and eventually back to base. One of the best rides, and perfect for a gravel bike too.

After some sustinence and a shower, I decided to head down to Interlaken and have a walk. The paragliders were landing regularly, which reminded me of my flight all those years ago....but moreso because Linda had the duty to video me, the result being a nice vid of just my feet...the excuse was that she was distracted looking after a 2 year old Jamie! Probably true...we actually spoke later that evening about it! 

Evening was spent with a Sri Lankan meal at the campsite in the pleasant company of a Dutch couple (btw without stereotyping the Dutch are the friendliest, and speak better English than me 😂...if if see a NL number plate, I'll often make the effort to converse!) so that was the Bernese Alps, the 2 night rule soon to be met...so off I go again...but where too? 🤷‍♂️😎