Travel
2024: Various Hikes / Tours
2023: Hiking Swiss Alps
2023: Various Hikes / Tours
2022: Various Hikes / Tours
2021: Various Hikes / Tours
2020: Hiking Swiss Jura Crest & Alpine Panorama Trail
2020: Hiking Swiss Alps
2020: Various Hikes / Tours
2019: Hiking 4 Days in Swiss Alps, Furka & Grimsel
2019: Hiking 5 Days Gotthard Region
2016: Tour Aare, Les Doubs & Rhein
2015: France & Italy
2014: Central Europe
2013: France & Italy
2012: Italy & France
2011: Europe: Three Tours
2010: India
2009: France: Two Tours
2008: Tour de Romandie
2008: Zug - Bern - Zug
2008: Strasbourg
2008: Europe
2007: France
2005: France & Italy
2004: USA: Denver - Sedona
2004: Lenzburg - Marseille
2004: La Gomera
2003: Sardinien
2003: La Gomera
2002: Korsika
2002: Bordeaux - Hendaye
1998: Switzerland
1997: USA
1996: USA: Colorado & Arizona


"You are not a human being having a spiritual experience, but a spiritual being having a human experience."

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
1881-1955

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2020: Various Hikes / Tours

Updates

Mon, November 2, 2020: Adding '3 Days Hike: Zug - Albis - Uetliberg - Baden - Bremgarten' with a few photos .

Sat, October 10, 2020: Adding '3 Days Hike: Zug - Horben - Schöftland' with a few photos .

Tue, September 15, 2020: Adding '4 Days Recumbent Tour de Suisse' with a few photos .

Sat, August 29, 2020: Adding 'Altdorf - Surenenpass - Engelberg - Wolfenschiessen' 3 days hike and earlier 'Schonegg Pass - Klausenpass' 2 days hike .

Some smaller hikes or tours

  • 2 Days Hike June 2020: Grafenort - Schonegg Pass - Altdorf - Klausen
  • 3 Days Hike August 2020: Altdorf - Surenenpass - Engelberg - Walenalp - Wolfenschiessen
  • 4 Days Recumbent Tour September 2020: Zurich - Bern - Bulle - Gstaad / Saanenmöser Pass - Thun - Lucerne
  • 3 Days Hike October 2020: Zug - Horben (Lindenberg) - Schöftland
  • 3 Days Hike October/November 2020: Zug - Albis - Uetliberg - Baden - Bremgarten
  • November 2020 Impressions

Highlights

Camp-site & Gross Windgällen
2020/08/25 17:10
Surenenpass ahead
◈ Attinghausen, 2020/08/26 07:28
◈ Angistock, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 07:50
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 06:49
Tor at Oberalper Grat
◈ Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1668m), 2020/06/11 17:13
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1800m), 2020/06/12 17:39
View toward Bulle and Lake of Gruyere
◈ Pont-en-Ogoz, 2020/09/13 12:50
Valley of Gruyere
2020/09/14 09:46
◈ Hohenrain, 2020/10/08 09:00
View toward Zugerland with the Lake of Zug & mountain Rigi
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:16
Above the sea of fog
◈ Bellikon, 2020/10/31 13:12
Sunlight in the forest . . .
2020/10/31 16:13
2020/11/13 14:56
◈ Zuger Wanderwege, Steinerberg, 2020/11/14 13:19


2 Days Hike: Grafenort - Schonegg Pass - Altdorf - Klausenpass


2 Days Hike: Schonegg Pass - Altdorf - Klausenpass

Thursday 2020/06/11: Grafenort - Schonegg Pass - Isenthal

Brief window of opportunity opens for a 2 day hike from Grafenort / Oberifängi after a week of raining, starting late at noon as the clouds disperse and slowly ascending and face remaining clouds, actually walking into them and fine misty rain starts as I reach Schonegg Pass 15:45 at 1900m elevation and descend quickly and more rain is pouring and I wait near a small barn just below for apprx. 40min until rain stops and continue to descend via Gitschenen. Along the hike trail I find a small spot to pitch the tent for tonight - the sun comes through and dries my cloths and shoes - a good rest for tonight.

◈ Bättelrüti, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1166m), 2020/06/11 12:09
◈ Burgholz, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1211m), 2020/06/11 12:25
◈ Oberfeld, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1385m), 2020/06/11 13:20
◈ Oberfeld, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1360m), 2020/06/11 13:21
◈ Oberfeld, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1466m), 2020/06/11 13:46
◈ Räckholteren, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1497m), 2020/06/11 14:22
◈ Räckholteren, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1508m), 2020/06/11 14:25
◈ Räckholteren, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1602m), 2020/06/11 14:36
◈ Sinsgäuer Schonegg, Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1904m), 2020/06/11 15:47
Tor at Oberalper Grat
2020/06/11 17:05
2020/06/11 17:13
Tor at Oberalper Grat
◈ Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1668m), 2020/06/11 17:13
◈ Kapelle Gitschenen, Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1534m), 2020/06/11 18:07
◈ Kapelle Gitschenen, Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1534m), 2020/06/11 18:07
◈ Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1519m), 2020/06/11 18:12
◈ Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1337m), 2020/06/11 18:22
◈ Sulztal, Isenthal (Δ 1426m), 2020/06/11 18:32

Friday 06/12: Isenthal - Altdorf - Heidmanegg / Klausenpass

I continue descent until I reach paved road and a bus stop, and I decide to take the bus to Altdorf as given just 2 days to hike I like to ascend toward Klausenpass from Altdorf - once I reached Altdorf I hike up again from 450m up to 1800m but won't reach Klausenpass, but a bit before near Heidmanegg - given my physical condition being exhausted I can't hike further and it's a good place to stay for tonight. Tomorrow forecast states heavy thunderstorms and rain, so I realize I won't continue over the Klausenpass and Linthtal as I hoped - another time.

2020/06/12 07:26
2020/06/12 07:27
◈ Sankt Jakob, Isenthal (Δ 1033m), 2020/06/12 07:45
◈ Birchi, Isenthal (Δ 728m), 2020/06/12 08:26
◈ Chäppeli, Birchi, Isenthal (Δ 638m), 2020/06/12 08:28
◈ Vorderbärchi, Isenthal (Δ 643m), 2020/06/12 08:28
◈ Altdorf (UR) (Δ 493m), 2020/06/12 09:50
◈ Altdorf (UR) (Δ 532m), 2020/06/12 09:51
◈ Hartolfingen, Bürglen (UR) (Δ 520m), 2020/06/12 09:57
◈ Altdorf (UR) (Δ 528m), 2020/06/12 10:02
◈ Hartolfingen, Bürglen (UR) (Δ 561m), 2020/06/12 10:03
◈ Hartolfingen, Bürglen (UR) (Δ 663m), 2020/06/12 10:39
◈ Sigmanig, Hartolfingen, Bürglen (UR) (Δ 730m), 2020/06/12 10:55
◈ Bürglen (UR) (Δ 713m), 2020/06/12 11:55
◈ Eggenbergli, Spiringen (Δ 948m), 2020/06/12 12:33
◈ Bielen, Unterschächen (Δ 1337m), 2020/06/12 13:36
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1625m), 2020/06/12 14:45
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1624m), 2020/06/12 14:45
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1625m), 2020/06/12 14:45
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1624m), 2020/06/12 14:45
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1697m), 2020/06/12 15:00
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1653m), 2020/06/12 15:10
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1800m), 2020/06/12 17:39
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1787m), 2020/06/12 17:39
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1810m), 2020/06/12 18:51
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1796m), 2020/06/12 18:52
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1802m), 2020/06/12 18:52
◈ Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1801m), 2020/06/12 20:15

Saturday 06/13: Heidmanegg / Klausenpass - Urigen - Altdorf

6:30 I descend quickly back to Urigen, where the bus service is available, as only next week the bus actually goes over the Klausenpass, but for now only goes to Urigen - from there I ride back to Altdorf and from there take the train again.

2020/06/13 07:31
◈ Posthaus Urigen, Ribi, Unterschächen (Δ 1267m), 2020/06/13 08:10
◈ Bielen, Unterschächen (Δ 1275m), 2020/06/13 08:37

After this brief hike I realized I wanted to go longer and stay higher up, and so I did two weeks hike in the alps as next.



3 Days Hike: Altdorf - Surenenpass - Engelberg - Walenalp - Wolfenschiessen

After the 4 weeks hike on the Jura Crest Trail I wanted to meet a new acquaintance in Engelberg and also hike part of the Via Alpina swiss hiking trail, at least a bit.


3 Days Hike: Altdorf - Surenenpass - Engelberg - Walenalp - Wolfenschiessen (August 2020), apprx. 45km

Tuesday 2020/08/25: Altdorf 450m - Surenenpass 1800m/2300m

9:50 arriving at Altdorf by train, traversing through the village toward the long and steep ascent through the forest, non-stop from 450m (10:00) up to 1730m (13:30) which are hard as a first day and I realize I did not drink enough water while ascending (mild headache). Two german young hikers join me briefly (Franzi & Sven) who hike Swiss Hike Trail #1 aka Via Alpina, lightweight without tent but booked mountain hostels for the next 10 days - and weather forecast states weather change to cold and rain by next weekend and possibly snowfall above 2500m (update 2020/08/30: it did snow at 2700m: Blümlisalp, even down to 2000m: Kleine Scheidegg). I find a nice spot near Alp Grat mountain hostel/restaurant to pitch the tent, with great view back into the valley and Altdorf, apprx. 1800m elevation.

2020/08/25 09:49
◈ Vorstadt, Altdorf (UR) (Δ 466m), 2020/08/25 09:58
◈ Attinghausen, 2020/08/25 10:34
◈ Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 12:21
◈ Höchiberg, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 12:41
◈ Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 13:32
◈ Waldnachter-Seeli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 13:49
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:05
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:25
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:25
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:30
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:30
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:35
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:36
View down to Altdorf & Schächental
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 15:36
View down to Altdorf & Schächental
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld (Δ 1746m), 2020/08/25 16:27
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 16:30
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 16:30
View down to Altdorf & Schächental
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld (Δ 1752m), 2020/08/25 16:30
View down to Altdorf & Schächental
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld (Δ 1752m), 2020/08/25 16:30
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 16:31
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 16:31
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 16:31
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/25 16:31
2020/08/25 17:09
Camp-site & Gross Windgällen
2020/08/25 17:10
Camp-site & Gross Windgällen
2020/08/25 17:10

Wednesday 08/26: Surenenpass 2300m - Engelberg 1000m

6:15 awake, 7:00 departure, toward Angistock and then Surenenpass at 2292m elevation - the moment I reach the pass strong cold wind blasts into my face and dries my sweat within 2 mins and cools off my body quickly - so I won't stay too long but descend quickly to meet a new acquitance who joins me ~400Hm lower than the pass. Later I continue the long valley toward Engelberg - and decide to not enter the village but pitch the tent for tonight earlier as I feel exhausted of the first two days hiking.

◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 06:36
◈ Chraienhöreli, Bocki, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 06:49
◈ Alp Grat, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 07:20
◈ Alp Grat, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 07:20
Surenenpass ahead
◈ Attinghausen, 2020/08/26 07:28
◈ Angistock, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 07:50
◈ Langschnee, Sulzwald, Erstfeld (Δ 2090m), 2020/08/26 08:06
◈ Surenenpass, Sulzwald, Erstfeld (Δ 2297m), 2020/08/26 08:44
◈ Surenenpass, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 08:44
◈ Surenenpass, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 08:44
◈ Surenenpass, Sulzwald, Erstfeld, 2020/08/26 08:44
◈ Surenenpass, Sulzwald, Erstfeld (Δ 2306m), 2020/08/26 08:44
2020/08/26 08:46
Surenenpass 360° view
2020/08/26 08:46
Surenenpass 360° view wideshot
2020/08/26 08:47
2020/08/26 12:03
◈ Usser Äbnet, Attinghausen (Δ 1814m), 2020/08/26 12:12
◈ Usser Äbnet, Attinghausen (Δ 1809m), 2020/08/26 12:12
2020/08/26 13:35
◈ Usser Äbnet, Attinghausen, 2020/08/26 13:36
◈ Usser Äbnet, Attinghausen, 2020/08/26 13:36
◈ Engelberg, 2020/08/26 14:00
◈ Alpenrösli, Engelberg, 2020/08/26 14:04
◈ Stalden, Engelberg, 2020/08/26 16:07

Thursday 08/27: Engelberg 1000m - Walenalp 1650m - Oberifängi 1200m

6:15 awake, 7:00 departure toward Engelberg 8:00 where I shop some food even I know I will only continue to hike another day, as weather change with temperature drop and significant rainfall expected the next 3 days. I ascend briefly from Engelberg hiking the lower trail toward Walenalp, around the Walenstöcke - impressive peaks, and then mild descent to Oberifängi where I pitch my tent for tonight.

◈ Nassboden, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 08:04
The many hike trails starting at Engelberg train station
◈ Engelberg, Nassboden, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 08:32
View to Titlis with snowfields
◈ Alp Gschneit, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 09:40
◈ Alp Gschneit, Engelberg (Δ 1183m), 2020/08/27 09:40
◈ Alp Gschneit, Engelberg (Δ 1181m), 2020/08/27 09:40
◈ Fangboden, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 10:19
◈ Fangboden, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 10:54
◈ Fangboden, Engelberg (Δ 1488m), 2020/08/27 11:11
◈ Fangboden, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 11:17
◈ Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/27 12:27
◈ Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/27 12:27
◈ Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/27 12:39
◈ Walenalp, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 12:41
View down the valley toward Vierwaldstädtersee & Lucerne
◈ Walenalp, Engelberg, 2020/08/27 12:42
Wide-view down the valley toward Vierwaldstädtersee & Lucerne
◈ Walenalp, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 1684m), 2020/08/27 12:42
View back to Walenalp
◈ Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/27 12:53

Friday 08/28: Oberifängi 1200m - Wolfenschiessen 510m

7:30 departure toward St. Joder chapell and then through forest with mild descent but moderately maintained trail to Wolfenschiessen, where this 3 day hike ends.

Yaks herd
◈ St. Joder, Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/28 08:33
◈ Bättelrüti, Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/28 09:02
◈ Bättlenrüti, Bättelrüti, Wolfenschiessen (Δ 780m), 2020/08/28 09:13
View toward Wolfenschiessen
◈ Bättelrüti, Wolfenschiessen, 2020/08/28 09:20

I realized it takes me 2 days to get back into the rythm and my body adapt the exhausting hike with ~20kg backpack - next time I choose a milder and easier first day to better adapt a multi-day hike.



4 Days Recumbent Tour de Suisse 412km

As I was visiting new acquaintances in the Zurich region, I decided to use the recumbent as the mode of transportation and added a few days for a small tour around central and southwestern Switzerland, in particular to test out a new variant from west to central Switzerland going via Bulle - Saanenmöser Pass (1279m) - Thun, a quite low pass given the region, e.g. the Jaunpass is 1509m nearby with steeper slopes.


4 Days "Tour de Suisse": Zurich - Bern - Fribourg - Bulle - Gstaad - Thun - Lucerne - Zug

Saturday 2020/09/12: Urdorf/Zurich - Brugg - Langenthal - Bern (120km)

I stayed in the forest above Urdorf and left 7:00 toward Brugg, mostly on the main road with little traffic Saturday morning. After Baden quickly to Brugg, and a bit on bicycle trail, then Aarau, Olten and then Aarburg, partially main road and part bicycle trail toward Langenthal and short before Bern, near Schönbühl I went into the Allmitwald and found a nice spot to pitch the tent.

◈ Rothrist, 2020/09/12 12:58
◈ Herzogenbuchsee, 2020/09/12 15:48
◈ Moos, Herzogenbuchsee, 2020/09/12 15:53
Jura crest in the background
◈ Hellsau, 2020/09/12 16:15
Jura crest in the background
◈ Hellsau, 2020/09/12 16:15
Packed Flux S900 recumbent
◈ Moosseedorf (Δ 575m), 2020/09/12 18:36
Small backpack plus small solar panel to charge USB power bank
◈ Moosseedorf, 2020/09/12 18:36
◈ Moosseedorf, 2020/09/12 18:36
◈ Moosseedorf (Δ 559m), 2020/09/12 18:45

Sunday 09/13: Bern - Fribourg - Bulle (72km)

Starting first by leaving the forest westward and going on the main street southward and bicycle lane mostly into Bern and early morning almost no traffic in the city, heading toward "Fribourg", and reaching it already 10:30 - as I tried to use the "flatter" route, I was rerouted in Fribourg itself due construction work and had some detour therefore - but finally rejoin the road I planned, with little traffic all afternoon until I reach a calm village or city of Bulle, which I know from the hike a few weeks ago, and I went to the same spot in the forest to pitch my tent 17:00.

◈ Fribourg - Freiburg (Δ 621m), 2020/09/13 10:37
◈ Fribourg - Freiburg, 2020/09/13 10:50
◈ Pont-en-Ogoz, 2020/09/13 12:47
View toward Bulle and Lake of Gruyere
◈ Pont-en-Ogoz, 2020/09/13 12:49
View toward Bulle and Lake of Gruyere
◈ Pont-en-Ogoz, 2020/09/13 12:50
Bulle forest
2020/09/13 16:46

Monday 09/14: Bulle - Gstaad - Saanenmöser Pass - Thun - Brenzikofen (110km)

Leaving late at 7:45, and quickly shop some food near exit of Bulle, and trying out the official bicycle trail, but it ascends unnecessarly, so I try my own route based on my map on the smartphone, but eventually I'm forced to hilly road with significant ascents and descents whereas the main road is rather flat - you wonder who planned those bicycle trails, no idea of imposed ascents/descents. After Chateau d'Oex I pretty much stay on the main road and divert on the flat bicycle trail toward Gstaad, from there harder ascent and then joining main road again to Saanenmöser Pass at 1279m. For the descent I try the bicycle road, but it's steep, steep descents and a few ascents again - the disc brakes run hot - eventually I ask a fellow cyclist how the rest of the road down to Spiez is and he recommends I stay on the main road with my heavy recumbent. And so I descend nicely, only a few mild counter ascents but mostly I can let it run at 30-50km/h.

I skip Spiez but head toward nice Thun, with great bicycle trail starting there toward Burgdorf, eventually near Brenzikofen I divert into the nearby forest, a welcome shady and therefore cooler spot for tonight, after a near cloudless day and 25-30°C.

2020/09/14 09:43
Valley of Gruyere
2020/09/14 09:46
Valley of Gruyere
2020/09/14 09:46
◈ Lac du Vernex, La Tine - Village Devant, Rossinière, 2020/09/14 10:28
◈ Les Granges, Château-d'Oex, 2020/09/14 11:14
◈ Le Crêt, Rougemont, 2020/09/14 11:31
◈ Les Revers, Rougemont, 2020/09/14 11:36
2020/09/14 11:38
Reaching Gstaad
◈ Wispile, Saanen, 2020/09/14 12:06
◈ Oberbort, Saanen (Δ 1207m), 2020/09/14 13:18
Reaching Saanenmöser
◈ Oberbort, Saanen, 2020/09/14 13:37
Reaching Saanenmöser
◈ Oberbort, Saanen, 2020/09/14 13:37
Saanenmöser Pass
◈ Oberbort, Saanen, 2020/09/14 13:38
◈ Oberbort, Saanen, 2020/09/14 13:39
◈ Oberbort, Saanen (Δ 1290m), 2020/09/14 13:39
Descending toward Zweisimmen
2020/09/14 13:54
◈ Reutigen (Δ 612m), 2020/09/14 16:03
◈ Reutigen, 2020/09/14 16:04
◈ Reutigen, 2020/09/14 16:04
◈ Heimberg, 2020/09/14 17:36

Tuesday 09/15: Brenzikofen - Langnau i. E. - Wolhusen - Lucerne - Cham (110km)

Leaving around 7:30 and reaching Oberdiessbach and continue toward Konolfingen, and Bowil and Signau and staying on the main road with a nice wide bicycle lane to Langnau im Emmental. Mild ascend toward Trubschachen, Wiggen and Escholzmatt (852m) - where I make a brief stop to eat lunch - highest point of the day, and then mostly descending with brief 2x ascents in between near Hasle and Entlebuch, and then Wolhusen, nice wide shoulder or bicycle lane through Malters direct to Littau and Emmen, without entering Lucerne nearby. Very busy roads in Emmen and complex routing for bicycles (changing sides from left and right and back again with 4-6 car lanes in between), eventually I find the bicycle trail along river Reuss until Gisikon and then again main road with bicycle lane toward Cham, and nearby Steinhausen where the tour ends 15:00.

◈ Brauchbühl, Signau, 2020/09/15 10:01
◈ Brauchbühl, Signau, 2020/09/15 10:01
◈ Escholzmatt-Marbach, 2020/09/15 11:27
Paved bicycle trail along Emme near Ebikon
2020/09/15 13:52

Conclusion: the route via Bulle - Saanenmöser - Spiez with 1279m peak elevation with 20-30km steady ascent theoretically is a viable option to reach central or west Switzerland:

  • west-to-east:
    • ascent:
      • after Bulle there is unnecessary ascents before Montbovon, use main road
      • after Montbovon to Chateau d'Oex, use bicycle trail
      • Chateau d'Oex to Rougemont, use main road
      • Rougemont to Gstaad and then Schönried, use bicycle trail
    • descent: Schönried - Saanenmöser - Zweisimmen - Spiez, use main road
  • east-to-west: I can't recommend any option from Spiez to Saanenmöser as I didn't ride the bicycle trail except Zweisimmen - Saanenmöser which is slightly hilly and with extremely steep ascents sections (20+%).

I personally would analyse the overall traffic on the street at a given day and time, and if it's low traffic prefer main road, except Gstaad to Chateau d'Oex use bicycle trail.



3 Days Hike: Zug - Horben - Schöftland

A brief window of warm weather in October 2020 came up and I decided to walk 2 1/2 days from Steinhausen/ZG to Schöftland/AG over small pre-alpine ridges of Switzerland:

3 Day Hike: Zug - Horben - Schöftland ~55km

Wednesday 2020/10/07: Steinhausen - Mühlau - Horben

I started 13:00 heading into the flat Reussthal through some small villages, stopping for some time to await the rain to stop during the afternoon, walking at Mühlau over the Reuss river, then Beinwil and eventually I reached the first hill range or ridge of Horben as part of Lindenberg ridge, an old castle or rather old house - in the nearby forest I found a place to pitch my tent, where the steady wind on the top of the ridge was absorbed by the trees.

Raining front approaching . . .
◈ Erli, Steinhausen (Δ 485m), 2020/10/07 13:11
◈ Vordere Stadelmatt, Hünenberg, 2020/10/07 15:44
◈ Vordere Stadelmatt, Hünenberg, 2020/10/07 15:44
◈ Stadelmatt, Hünenberg, 2020/10/07 15:57
◈ Stadelmatt, Hünenberg, 2020/10/07 15:57
Crossing Reuss river at Mühlau
◈ Brücke Mühlau, Mühlau, 2020/10/07 16:12
◈ Brücke Mühlau, Mühlau, 2020/10/07 16:12
◈ Rüstenschwil, Auw, 2020/10/07 16:52
◈ Brunnwil, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 17:48
Looking back into the Reussthal and Zugerland
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:11
Zugerland with Rigi mountain in the background
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:12
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:12
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:12
2020/10/07 18:15
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:19
Windy Horben
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:20
Windy Horben
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/07 18:20
2020/10/07 18:48

Thursday 10/08: Horben - Aesch - Reinach AG

Long sleep until 7:30, 8:30 departure heading toward Müswangen along the ridge eventually down to Aesch at the Hallwilersee, over to Mosen and heading up hill to Reinach/AG, and further on the ridge again near Geisshof where I find a spot to camp again, in the forest where the wind is calm. During the day I picked up apples, wallnuts, and hazelsnuts along the trail, as a snack in between; and as the various water source photos illustrate there are plenty opportunities to get drinking water. The 2nd day I'm quite exhausted in the evening even I didn't really walked long or fast - didn't find my rhythm yet.

Rain is gone and little clouds, rather sunny and warmer at 15°C
2020/10/08 08:38
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/08 08:42
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/08 08:42
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/08 08:46
◈ Horben, Beinwil (Freiamt), 2020/10/08 08:46
◈ Hohenrain, 2020/10/08 09:00
◈ Hohenrain, 2020/10/08 09:00
Still the alps nearby in the background
◈ Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:13
◈ Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:14
◈ Sulzerberg, Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:17
◈ Sulzerberg, Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:17
◈ Sulzerberg, Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:17
◈ Sulzerberg, Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:18
◈ Hitzkirch (Δ 837m), 2020/10/08 09:40
◈ Hitzkirch (Δ 835m), 2020/10/08 09:43
Looking toward Menziken and Reinach
◈ Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 09:48
Hallwilersee at Mosen
◈ Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 11:57
◈ Hitzkirch, 2020/10/08 11:57
Looking at Menziken
◈ Reinach, 2020/10/08 13:31
◈ Reinach, 2020/10/08 13:32
◈ Sonnenbergstrasse, Reinach, 2020/10/08 13:52
◈ Reinach, 2020/10/08 14:27
Looking back to Reinach/AG
◈ Geisshof, Gontenschwil, 2020/10/08 15:08
◈ Geisshof, Gontenschwil, 2020/10/08 16:35

Friday 10/09: Reinach AG - Schöftland

Good sleep and 8:30 departure again, heading hilly to Schmiedrued, and then toward Schöftland where I arrived around noon, and decide to end the trip here and take the train back.

◈ Schiltwald, Schmiedrued, 2020/10/09 09:45
◈ Schiltwald, Schmiedrued (Δ 719m), 2020/10/09 09:45
◈ Schöftland, 2020/10/09 11:48

The original plan was to head to Zofingen or Olten, but I was too slow the 2nd day and blisters started to form on my right foot, and I'm afraid the new shoe inlets (extra cushion) missed tiny holes so the swet would leave the sole and socks, but instead the skin of my feet got wrinkled due the moisture and eventually blisters formed there - lack of attention to the details even for "just" a small hiking tour.

Also the Merrell trekking sandals (bought 2020/07) sole profile grip are almost gone - after 3 weeks intense hiking usage on previous hiking trips and apprx. 320km trekking they are reaching their end-of-life already.



3 Days Hike: Zug - Albis - Uetliberg - Baden - Bremgarten

Another window of opportunity arose, and I hoped to have good weather for 3-4 days as I packed light rain gear:


3 Days Hike: Zug - Albis - Uetliberg - Baden - Bremgarten ~70km

Friday 2020/10/30: Steinhausen - Baar - Albishorn - Albispass - Uetliberg

8:00 departure, reaching Baar and ascend toward the ridge of the Albis and quickly reach the peak at Albishorn (909m) with wide view to central Switzerland, pre-alpine region. Through forest mostly with little view to the lake of Zurich I reach Uetliberg in the afternoon and I continue a bit until I find a nice place to camp, northern slope, but dry so far.

2020/10/30 09:33
2020/10/30 09:33
View toward Zugerland with the Lake of Zug & mountain Rigi
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:16
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:16
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:16
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:20
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:20
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis (Δ 757m), 2020/10/30 10:20
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:28
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:28
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:41
◈ Oberalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 10:41
View down to the Lake of Zurich
◈ Mittelalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:17
View to Lake of Zurich with the Glarneralpen in the far distance
◈ Mittelalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:17
◈ Mittelalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:17
◈ Mittelalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:17
◈ Mittelalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:18
◈ Mittelalbis, Hausen am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:18
Highest point of the Albisridge 915m
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:40
Highest point of the Albisridge 915m
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 11:40
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:17
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:17
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:24
Albispass
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:25
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:25
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:28
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:31
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:31
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:39
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:39
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:39
View of the Glarneralpen
◈ Langnau am Albis, 2020/10/30 12:41
◈ Pluto in Sonnenferne, Buchenegg, Stallikon, 2020/10/30 13:19
◈ Pluto in Sonnenferne, Buchenegg, Stallikon, 2020/10/30 13:21
View to city of Zurich
2020/10/30 13:38
View to city of Zurich at the end of the lake
2020/10/30 13:38
◈ Aegerten, Stallikon, 2020/10/30 14:35
◈ Aegerten, Stallikon, 2020/10/30 14:35
2020/10/30 14:43
◈ Aegerten, Stallikon, 2020/10/30 14:45
Uetliberg broadcast tower ahead
2020/10/30 15:04
View to city of Zurich from Uetliberg
◈ Leuchtende Hirsche, Stallikon, 2020/10/30 15:27
◈ Stallikon, 2020/10/30 15:27
◈ Ringlikon, Uitikon, 2020/10/30 16:19

Saturday 10/31: Uetliberg - Birmensdorf - Hasenberg - Baden

7:45 departure after a good sleep, and just the fog forms as I descend toward Birmensdorf where I shop for food for today and tomorrow: bread, cheese and some chocolate. I continue toward Rudolfstetten and toward Hasenberg, the next ridge which spreads until Baden - and so I follow the hiking path until 12:00 just in the fog - and slowly the sun comes through and I'm apprx. 50m above the fog line, seeing the sea of fog beneath. Until apprx 16:00 I continue, short before Baden I find a nice spot again, yet again northern slope, a place which didn't have sun all day long so ground is wet yet soft grass - too exhausted to look for another spot more dry.

2020/10/31 10:07
2020/10/31 11:57
Slightly above the fog line
2020/10/31 12:35
2020/10/31 12:42
2020/10/31 12:42
Above the sea of fog
◈ Bellikon (Δ 831m), 2020/10/31 13:12
Above the sea of fog
◈ Bellikon, 2020/10/31 13:12
2020/10/31 13:15
2020/10/31 13:43
2020/10/31 13:59
Village in the fog
2020/10/31 14:02
2020/10/31 14:02
◈ Oberrohrdorf, 2020/10/31 14:50
The sea of fog
◈ Oberrohrdorf, 2020/10/31 15:20
◈ Oberrohrdorf, 2020/10/31 15:20
2020/10/31 15:27
View toward Baden
◈ Rüsler, Rüsler, Neuenhof, 2020/10/31 15:34
2020/10/31 15:49
Sunlight in the forest . . .
2020/10/31 16:13
◈ Fislisbach, 2020/10/31 16:34

Sunday 11/01: Baden - Mellingen - Bremgarten

7:15, slightly foggy in the morning, the tent is wet - packing and leaving toward Baden and I sense my sore right knee again while I descend, which slows me down and I decide not to continue to Laegern ridge but turn around at Baden and go west and then south via Mellingen, and follow route 42 along the river Reuss toward Bremgarten. Around 9:30 is starts to rain which on and off lasts until 14:00 and just as I arrive in Bremgarten it starts to rain again - the weather forecast predicted brief rain, and sunny parts, but it was longer rain and overcast all day long. The route along river Reuss is beautiful at fall with the yellow/red leaves on the trees and on the ground making an otherworldy scenery, but also in general the river is more wild in between. Anyway, from Bremgarten I took the train Wohlen AG, Rotkreuz, Cham and bus back to Steinhausen near Zug again, 18:00 back.

2020/11/01 08:20
2020/11/01 08:20
2020/11/01 08:36
Highway at the Baregg hill with tunnel beneath
2020/11/01 09:21
2020/11/01 09:25
2020/11/01 09:25
2020/11/01 11:47
2020/11/01 11:47
◈ Mellingen, 2020/11/01 11:59
◈ Mellingen, 2020/11/01 12:00
Reuss river at Mellingen
◈ Mellingen, 2020/11/01 12:02
◈ Mellingen, 2020/11/01 12:02
Reuss river
2020/11/01 12:32
Reuss river
2020/11/01 12:32
Reuss river
2020/11/01 12:43
◈ Camping Sulz, Sulz, Künten, 2020/11/01 14:40

Endurance: I was pacing too fast the 2nd day and so a sore right knee developed slowly which handicapped me the 3rd day - if I were on a longer hike I would have rested the 3rd day and continue the next day, but as I planned just 3-4 days I continued a flat easier day to walk along the river of Reuss.

Sight: The first day of the hike I was motivated and enjoyed the scenery; the 2nd day with 4 hours in the fog limited the view to few hundred meters until noon, when I was above the line of fog; the third day was rainy and 10-12C° only and was less enjoyable yet nature is still magnificient, one has to have the peace, stillness and eyes to see, which I had to remind myself.


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