Switzerland: Mürren and Kleine Scheidegg to Alpingen
6 July 2009
Stephen and his father travelled to Interlaken in
Switzerland for a walking holiday utilising the trains, cable cars and
gondolas of the Jungfrau Railways. On the first morning, the weather
didn't look promising, but a decision was made to go out anyway and hope
for the best.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-091146.jpg)
Waiting on the platform at Interlaken Ost for the train to Lauterbrunnen,
and it is raining. The metre-gauge train of the Berner Oberland Bahn
takes us to Lauterbrunnen.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-100520.jpg)
Ascending the cable car from Lauterbrunnen to Grütschalp. When we were
last here, this line was a funicular, so it was something of a surprise
to find it replaced by a cable car. This is looking down on
Lauterbrunnen in its very steep glacial valley
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-101058.jpg)
The station at Grütschalp where the cable car arrives and the train for
Mürren departs. Instead, we are going to walk to Mürren, hoping that the
weather will improve.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-103624.jpg)
Dad in the rain and cloud.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-103920.jpg)
A bit of shelter in the woods
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-111021.jpg)
The mountain path was well equipped with bins and other facilities
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-111046.jpg)
The train passes us - as there is no proper road to Mürren, all the
people and the goods for the resort go by this short train having come
up in the cable car.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-120333.jpg)
In Mürren, a man stacks wood.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-125107.jpg)
Having got the train from Mürren back to Grütschalp, we descend the
cable car back to Lauterbrunnen.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-132601.jpg)
From there we catch the cog railway up the other side of the
Lauterbrunnental...
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-134037.jpg)
...through Wengen, seen here...
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-141156.jpg)
...to Kleine Scheidegg, where the Jungfraubahn heads off to the highest
station in Europe, the Jungfraujoch.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-135647.jpg)
The Jungfrau is hidden in thick cloud today, however.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-141351.jpg)
Our route from Kleine Scheidegg lies down the other side, towards
Grindelwald
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-141526.jpg)
The station at Kleine Scheidegg, at 2061 metres (6762 feet) above sea level.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-142218.jpg)
Descending to the next station, Alpingen.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-142237-RRD.jpg)
A look back at the hotels of Kleine Scheidegg
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-142423.jpg)
Looking down across the end of the valley where Grindelwald lies, to the
pass of Grosse Scheidegg.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-143258-RRD.jpg)
Me playing on a bit of dirty snow
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-145124.jpg)
The North Wall of the Eiger in cloud, with the railway line running in a
gallery to protect it from snowfalls
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-145348.jpg)
Mountain life
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-145847.jpg)
She looks ready to burst!
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-151334.jpg)
More melting dirty snow
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-153027.jpg)
The station at Alpingen, from where we catch the train down to
Grindelwald. Kleine Scheidegg from where we began our walk can just be
seen on the horizon.
![](../../images/2009/2009-07/2009-07-06-162120.jpg)
Approaching Grindelwald, from where we get another train back to
Interlaken.
Switzerland holiday, July 2009
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