23rd September 2013

Today we started with a bus trip to Enstlenalp, a valley about an hour from Meiringen. How they get these big buses around the narrow mountain roads with numerous hair-pin bends astounds us every time. And all just to get some hikers to the start of a hike. But today's bus ride took us longer than usual because they were doing roads works. The bus came to a grinding halt, and the bus driver started issuing instructions and we had no idea what was going on. Then everyone else on-board grabbed their bags and started to hop off and walk down the road. We walked for about 3km before we had walked past the road works and to another bus waiting for us on the other side .As if we didn't have far enough to walk anyway. 14kms that took us about 4 hours to walk to the Alpin Tower Chair-lift which we took down to Meiringen. A challenging hike as we walked up instead of down but the views were awesome.

There are 3 lakes in this valley. The valley is a huge bowl surrounded by mountains. There are several chair-lifts up to the valley, all from different base towns. Because of it's unique location and easy accessibility, it is a very popular walking area, especially for those who are not regular walkers as there are some very easy trails. This is a cute little train that goes between the 3 lakes.

                                       Tannensee, not far from the start of our hike.

Melchsee-Frutt. This place is amazing. Multi-storey hotel in this remote valley and a new one being constructed on the water's edge. And you can't drive there.

Looking back to Melchsee-Frutt from higher up on our hike

                                 At long last, the end in sight. Alpin Tower chair-lift.

                                      View to Brienzersee from Alpin Tower