[Idyllchat] Switzerland - Hasliberg(Reuti) / Locarno

[pandjking at sbcglobal.net]

Jay,
    I enjoy the walk through the Aareschluct, just about a mile walk from the center of Meiringen, and the beautiful open air museum, Ballenberg, a short train trip from Meiringen.
    Neither of these is a hike so much as they are 2 worthwhile sights to see and enjoy in the Heartland.
    The Aareschluct consist of a walk through a very impressive gorge carved into the stone walls by the Aare river.  There is a nominal entrance fee and the walk only takes 90 minutes or so.  This walk can be done in rainy weather, if you bring an umbrella
    Ballenberg is something on the order of Greenfield Village outside of Detroit.  The Swiss have accumulated buildings, houses, farm buildings, and the like, from all over Switzerland and from different time periods and reconstructed them on a large parcel of land.  This open air museum affords a wonderful glimpse of Swiss life and early Swiss customs and culture.
    Again, this is not a hike, per se, but the hilly terrain at Ballenberg will give your legs a good workout.
    An entrance fee applies here also, but it is not a lot.  You can do this as a half day visit, or a full day.  Restaurants and food kiosks are on the property and also are not expensive.
    Some say this is a good rainy day activity.  Not I.  I think Ballenberg should only be seen on dry days.
    Hope this is helpful.  Enjoy your trip.
    Phil King
    Spring Lake, MI  
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jay Cloidt 
  To: pandjking at sbcglobal.net 
  Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 1:00 PM
  Subject: Re: [Idyllchat] Switzerland - Hasliberg(Reuti) / Locarno


  Thanks. I've been to the Lauterbrunnenthal, and actually hiked from Gimmelwald to the top of the Schilthorn (took the cable car down). We also checked out the waterfall that is inside the caves (trumelbachfallen or something like that). Spectacular valley. I think it rivals Yosemite Valley. I'll look into your suggestions  for  Planplatten. 

  Thanks,
    Jay


  On 1/8/07, pandjking at sbcglobal.net <pandjking at sbcglobal.net > wrote:
    We've never done the Ticino region, but we've done the Heartland three times and the Oberland once.  Several weeks before your trip Untours will send you a hiking/biking booklet of hikes in and near the Heartland--more than you could possibly do in the time you have.  One of our favorites is the Grandmother's Walk; you might want to take a look at it.  There are some very nice walks right in the Hasliberg area, as well as easy access to lifts.  On our last trip there (August 2005) we took the lifts to Planplatten on a glorious day and hiked part of the way back (watch out for *extended* downhill hikes, though--your legs/knees will punish you for days afterward!) and it was a highlight of the trip.  A nice flat walk is the Lauterbrunnen Valley--I think it's in the "Waterfalls" section of the booklet.  We walked from Lauterbrunnen to the end of the valley, took a lift to Gimmelwald (the village Rick Steves raves about), back down to Murren, train from Murren to the top of the funicular, and funicular back down to Lauterbrunnen.

    The nice thing about the hiking/biking guide is that it rates the hikes by difficulty and estimates the time it will take you to complete them.  It also points out spots along the way where you might get a bite to eat, or particularly scenic spots to have a picnic.

    Jane
    Spring Lake, MI
      ----- Original Message ----- 
      From: Jay Cloidt 
      To: IdyllChat at lists.untours.com 
      Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 11:56 AM
      Subject: [Idyllchat] Switzerland - Hasliberg(Reuti) / Locarno


      My wife and I, along with some friends, are booking our first Untour. We're doing the Swiss Heartland / Ticino sampler. 

      Having been to the Berner Oberland before, we are fairly familiar with the area just west of Hasliberg / Meiringen. We plan on doing a good deal of hiking here, does anyone have a hike in the area that they feel should not be missed? 

      The second week we will be in Locarno in Ticino. There is at least one day trip I want to make to Italy from here, but does anyone have a must see / must do / must hike in Ticino?


        - Jay



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