Adventure Travel Tours: A Day on the Trail

An adventure travel vacation is a great way to explore your world. Join
a group of fun people who share your interests as we go on a day hike in
the Alps. Enjoy a little taste of Switzerland.

 

<b>Up, Up, and Away</b>


After consuming a hearty breakfast, we depart for the trailhead. It's
close to our conveniently located inn, so we take a leisurely stroll -
greeting friendly locals and shopkeepers along the way.

We board a bright red cable car that whisks us soaring above the valley
to a far away peak. One of your companions excitedly nudges you, "Look,
marmots!". We gaze at a trio of cuddly creatures staring back at us from
the rockface - so close we feel we could reach out and touch them.

We disembark at a solid rock and timber mountain station - now peaceful,
this station hosts a clattering mass of skiers during the winter season.

<b>Clean Mountain Air and Emerald Lakes</b>

Breathing in the fresh mountain air, we set out on our trail. Carpets of
wildflowers surround us. Gentle cows graze the alpine grasses -
serenading us with a cheerful tinkle of bells. Hiking here is so
refreshing.

A meandering path leads us through hillocks of glacial moraine, now
cloaked in a splendid green, to the edge of a startlingly beautiful
emerald lake. The nearby mountains reflect on its surface.

We make a brief stop to admire this natural jewel. Some of our group
rambles around the tiny lake - others lay back and enjoy the serenity.

<b>Hiking Amongst Towering Peaks</b>

Our trail continues along a high mountain valley bordered by towering
snow-capped peaks. Beautiful Alpenroses form a lovely rolling heath. We
tramp across a small snowfield - its coolness underfoot contrasts with
the glorious warmth of the alpine sun.

We spy a cairn ahead with the familiar red-and-white trail marking
painted on one of its rocks. Rounding a corner we spot our lunchtime
destination in the distance - a solid Berghaus growing out of the
surrounding rocks.

<b>Lunching on the Sonnenterrasse</b>

As we settle ourselves on a rustic, sun-drenched Sonnenterrasse, a
tantalizing smell of frying onions and sausages greets us. Lunch is
hearty mountain fare - plates heaped with Rosti mit Spiegeleier und
Speck (a wonderfully golden, crispy fried potato pancake with egg and
bacon) - served by a flaxen-haired girl in a traditional, powdery-blue
farmer's smock.

We wash down our delicious lunch with bottles of local beer and gaze out
across a massive glacier winding its way down between two peaks and
glistening in the sunlight.

<b>Stunning Views</b>

Well sated, we regain our trail and soon find ourselves breaking out
onto a sloping hillside - affording us stunning views of the valley far
below. We see a tiny hamlet across the valley, its sun-burned houses and
barns surround a central church spire. A massive mountain rears up
behind this peaceful scene.

Slowly dropping down a gentle path, we enter a straggle of dwarf pine.
We're greeted by a pungent fragrance that reminds us of the cleanliness
of this wonderful habitat. The afternoon sun is gaining strength and
it's a perfect time for us to enter the cool loaminess of the lower
forest. We follow the edge of a cascading glacier-fed creek - its
frostiness refreshes the air around us.

<b>Warm Sun and the Smell of Hay</b>

We clatter across an ancient wooden bridge - its surface well worn by
generations of cows being driven to Alpine meadows. In the lower
pastures, local farmers are harvesting the hay with large wooden rakes.
A comforting, sun-rich smell of dried grasses greets us.

<b>Off to the Konditorei</b>

The relaxing smell of hay and the warmth of the sun has put us into a
peaceful, lazy mood. We beeline to the nearest Konditorei to debate our
biggest decision of the day - is it to be the daintily glazed apricot
torte, the decadent chocolate mousse with lashings of whipped cream, or
the traditional (and oh so tasty) Engadiner Nusstorte.

We relax in a cozy nook and relieve today's experiences.

<b>Relaxing Back at the Inn</b>

We amble back to our welcoming inn - a great time for relaxed
exploration of the local shops. Back at the inn, some members catch up
on reading in the inn's glorious wood-paneled library - others send
postcards or nap in the warm afternoon sun.

Later, we'll watch as the sun paints the mountains with golden color. An
adventure travel vacation in Switzerland is a fantastic experience.

Tomorrow, we set off on another lovely adventure.