to get from Zermatt to our Airbnb in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. One route was significantly longer, so we opted for the shorter one.
As we blindly followed the GPS, it took us to what looked like a tunnel. As we started inching our way to the gate, we realized we were actually going to drive onto a car train. We drove our vehicle onto a train and stayed in the car in park, while the train took us literally through the mountain. After about 10 minutes riding in the pitch black, we were through the tunnel and able to drive our vehicle off the train. We kept going until we reached our next destination, where we spent the next four nights. Upon arrival, we were happy to learn we were only a 10-minute walk by trail to the town center that boasts 72 waterfalls and more cows than residents.
We did so much in our four days in the Lauterbrunnen Valley, but I want to tell you about a hike we will never forget. We took a cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Schilthorn, Piz Gloria. We took multiple cars to reach an elevation of 9,744 feet, which was our first stop for the day. We dressed in many layers, knowing the day would take us from the top of the mountain back down to the valley below. This mountain is famous for being the location of one of the James Bond movies, but for us, it was breathtaking to see the snowcapped mountains and have them be so accessible.
After some time at the top, we started our descent back down the mountain. After taking a cable car down to the next mountain town, we decided to stop and enjoy lunch with a view in Mürren.
This was another situation where we started our hike and encountered signs saying the trail was closed, but we decided to carry on anyway. We hiked five miles downhill, taking us through Gimmelwald to get back to Stechelberg in the Lauterbrunnen Valley.
This trail was truly one magical hike. Hiking seems to be a way of life, and trails are woven into every street and farm and are everywhere you look. As we made our way down the mountain, the views were unbelievable, but there was another special aspect we never expected. We are all familiar with the magic of Disney movies, and it is rare to find that same magic in real life. Switzerland, however, has whimsical and dreamlike magic around every twist and turn.
As we were making our way down the trail, we began to encounter multiple cats. Having two cats of our own, we are most definitely cat lovers and get excited on any trip when we encounter them. This time was different, though. As we hiked through farms and towns, it began to feel as if we were being guided along each stretch by a different cat. They would walk with us for a while until they hit the edge of their home range, and then we would continue on only to be greeted by another cat that would guide us along a stretch of the trail. We know it is not the case, but it really felt like Switzerland has a large network of trained tour guide cats to help you along your way.
As we were being guided down the mountain by our feline friends, we had the opportunity to pop into a local barn and purchase homemade elderberry syrup and stop at a porch and leave money for the espresso we took. Since these trails often wind right through people’ s properties, you are never far from what you need, and they make such comfortable rest stops along the way.
If you are anything like me, nearly every hour at home is booked out with work and personal obligations, so part of the fun of vacation is having a general idea of what we want to do but leaving room for the fun to find us. This trip was no exception.
Piz Gloria Schilthor, at the top of the mountain.
A cat we encountered on our hike, sunbathing.
One of the cats guiding our tour.
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