After walking for hours yesterday in the rain, and looking at the upcoming forecast of more rain, I decided today was the day to go to the top of Gurten, the local hill that rises over 1000 feet above Bern, whether I would get any views or not!
It is possible to take a tram to the top - but I am too frugal to pay for that when I can still walk. Of course, the tram passed me on the way up!
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| The up-tram and down-tram pass each other halfway up the hill. |
When I got to the top I climbed this tower - which people who know my fear of heights might be surprised at. I counted all 122 steps - it was a good way to keep me breathing and getting too scared!
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| They should have a wind turbine at the top! |
I took a few pictures from the top, but the alps were not that clear, so you get a picture of town.
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| The Bundeshaus (Parliament) is the big building in middle of picture, left of river. |
The top of the hill is actually a broad expanse. They just held a huge music festival there last weekend (see
www.gurtenfestival.ch) that included three stages plus three dance tents, numerous bars, and a huge camping area. They were still taking apart all of the temporary construction they had for the festival.
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| Taking apart a temporary structure |
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| Map shows permanent structures and large park area - note the ski jump on the right side! |
It was a lot easier walking down than it had been going up, so I continued walking upriver on the west side of the river where I hadn't walked before. This is what the trail looks like on both sides of the river. In many places, the river is on one side and a quieter back-channel is on the other.
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| One of the straighter sections of the trail. Lots of runners, bikers, and hikers use the trails. |
When you get to an intersection, there is often a sign that points people in the right direction - that is if you know where those places are!
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| Note they give you walking times as well as connecting transportation. I ended up taking the tram from Muri! |
To cross the River Aare so I could get on the "Wanderweg" (trail, I presume) home, I took this lovely wooden bridge.
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| Pedestrian bridge across River Aare |
I started heading back on the other side of the river. There were large fences and verboten signs around this property. Notice how there is only one person in the pool!
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| Lovely pool by the river. Many pools are free and open to the public, but not this one! |
At this point I had been walking for over five hours - not to mention up and down over 1,000 feet - so I finished up by crossing a meadow, being cheered by this cow, and then catching the trolley car home!
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| Many cows where large bells that ring as they walk! |
Teaser for my dad: I am collecting pictures of local plants for an upcoming blog. They look like ones on Grey Cloud Island to me!
