Adventure Travel Tours: A Day on the Trail

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.

Adventure Travel Tours: A Day on the Trail

 



<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.

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