Summer of 2012 - The High Alps of Switzerland

Even though Werner and I had hiked in the Alps near Weisstannen, Werner's brother Andres said that I still had seen the "High Alps"!  So the three of us took a day's outing, heading south to the area around the city of Interlaken, and the Jungfrau, one of Switzerland's most famous Alpine peaks. Interlaken is a major tourist destination, and is located between Lake Brienz and Lake Thun (hence its name). 

 

 

We started our day with breakfast at a restaurant overlooking Lake Brienz.

 

 

At the edge of Interlaken is a small (4337 feet high) mountain called Harder Kulm. There is a trail up the mountain, and we decided to hike it.  It provided views of Interlaken below, and of the mighty Jungfrau to the south.

 

 

Hiking up the trail

 

 

 We could have taken a train to the top?!

 

 

The summit is within sight.

 

Glorious views from the top of the Harder Kulm

 

Looking down at Interlaken

 

 

Directly ahead, the snow-clad peak of the Jungfrau

 

 

Here we are atop the Harder Kulm. 

 

  

 

 

 

And we did take the train back down the mountain.

 

 

 

From Interlaken we drove to a village closer to the mountain, to get a better view of the Jungfrau.