My very first mountain hike in Switzerland was at Axalp. At that time, we were training for a month long trekking vacation to Nepal (see earlier posts). It was the perfect location for this first hike because you can get to some moderate altitude without having to walk it. This hike offers some spectacular mountain views looking out over lake Brienz (one of the two lakes that converge at Interlaken (translation "between lakes", Switzerland). Axalp also has a beautiful emerald green alpine lake that greets you almost 3/4 of the way through the trek.
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| The hike the we took was to walk up, around and then down towards this alpine lake. In the process you receive stunning panoramic views over Lake Brienz |
This is one of the most interesting hikes that I've experienced in Switzerland. The start is a gradual uphill climb up one of the roads that service the ski resort. Once you get to the Hilten (disappointed to learn it wasn't part of the Hilton Chain of hotels) you leave the road and continue a steady climb up. After about 20 mins the trail forks either down toward the alpine lake or continues upwards, through a pretty exposed section of trail, towards the Bowl overlooking the Lake. We decided to continue upwards. From there, the trail wraps around the lake and starts to traverse across towards the valley. With each step, the bright blue waters of Lake Brienz reveal themselves.
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| We walked up from the right of this picture, past the little house in the valley and continued up before traversing towards lake Brienz. Another trail takes you up from the house towards the left of this photo and back through the valley towards Axalp. |
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| This photo was taken looking back up the valley in the direction from which we'd come. |
We took the opportunity to perch ourselves on a flat rock overlooking the lake to wolf down a picnic lunch. It's hard to beat a "made on the spot" salami sandwich, a panoramic mountain view of the alps and Lake Brienz on a beautiful sunny afternoon.
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| Lake Brienz eventually reveals itself with each step. Brienz is the waterfront town seen in the bottom right at the opposite end of the lake from Interlaken |
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| Another shot of Lake Brienz. In this photo you can see Axalp on the hill on the left hand side of the picture. This is where our hike started and would eventually end |
The walk down towards the alpine lake is quite steep. I was thrilled that we'd chosen the direction of the hike that we did. After approx 30 min downhill it was a short walk to the alpine lake. The clarity of the water is truly remarkable. It was gutting to watch good size trout swimming through the waters and not having a rod to test my luck! Another hour walk and we were back at the car. This last hour walk is quite interesting as there are 8 local wood carvers who have applied their practice to over 100 stumps on the walk out. The works range from carvings of flowers, to people, to fish, small mammals, birds of prey and pigs. It really is a one of a kind experience.
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| A photo through the trees of the alpine lake that we visited. This is a popular picnic area for Swiss families. It's not unusual to see people roasting sausages for lunch over an open fire |
Axalp is only just over two hours from Basel. Both times I've done this hike it has always been a day trip. An both times we've stopped for ice cream on the terrace at the Grand Hotel Geissbach. This hotel is flanked on one side by a spectacular waterfall descending into Lake Brienz on the other. It's really worth a visit.
Webster's dictionary defines beauty as "the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurable exalts the mind or spirit". I can't think of a better way to describe this little corner of the earth.
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