 J.R.R. Tolkien found inspiration for Rivendell, the hidden valley of the Elves in The Lord of the Rings, during a walking tour through the Swiss Alps in 1911. It’s said that the beauty of Lauterbrunnen Valley, with its soaring cliffs and silver waterfalls, stayed in his imagination for life.
Perhaps Tolkien also heard whispers of an old local tale — the story of the Baking Elves of Lauterbrunnen. Long ago, when the valley was quiet and winters were long, there lived a poor miller named Kaspar near the Weiß Lütschine River. He was known for being kind but unlucky — every storm seemed to wash away his grain, and every harvest, something went wrong. One freezing winter night, Kaspar trudged home late after helping a neighbor dig out his barn following an avalanche. Exhausted and half-frozen, he returned to his empty bakery — no fire, no flour, no bread to eat. He whispered into the cold, “If only someone could help me, just once.” That night, he fell asleep beside the cold oven. But before dawn, he woke to the smell of fresh bread. On his table lay three golden loaves, still warm, with tiny footprints in the flour — far too small for any human. From then on, whenever Kaspar spent his days helping others in the valley, he would find a loaf waiting for him the next morning. But one night, his curiosity got the better of him. He stayed awake to see who was baking the bread. At midnight, he saw tiny figures slip through a crack in the door — elves dressed in silver and moss, laughing softly as they kneaded dough that shimmered like moonlight. But when Kaspar gasped in surprise, they vanished, leaving only a wisp of flour in the air. The next morning, no bread awaited him. Kaspar never saw the elves again — but people say that sometimes, in the quietest winters, you can still catch the scent of fresh bread drifting through the valley from Stechelberg, around midnight. A gentle reminder, perhaps, that kindness calls kindness back, even in the coldest times. Maybe the elves baked something like Lembas — the Elvish bread of Middle-earth. Here’s Tolkien’s own description: “Eat little at a time, and only at need. For these things are given to serve you when all else fails. The cakes will keep sweet for many, many days, if they are unbroken and left in their leaf-wrappings, as we have brought them. One will keep a traveller on his feet for a day of long labour, even if he be one of the tall men of Minas Tirith.” — The Fellowship of the Ring Perhaps your own version — a Gluten-Free Lembas recipe— will keep the spirit of both Tolkien’s world and Lauterbrunnen’s quiet magic alive. Ingredients
 This photo shows the Sandbach Waterfall that can be found on the Eiger trail along North face of Eiger. The Wetterhorn is to the back Source: https://commercial-publishing.ch Long ago, when the world was still young and the mountains had yet to rise, the earth trembled with the clash of titanic forces in the time of the great flood, when the seas raged. From the south came the restless African plate, pressing against the vast Eurasian plate. As they ground and folded, and from their collision the Alps were born — jagged, white-crowned, their roots deeper than seas, their summits reaching into the clouds.
The Wetterhorn became a monument of upheaval: seabed raised to the sky, corals and shells transformed into limestone, crowning a peak of ancient crystalline rock. To gaze upon it was to see both the floor of a vanished ocean and the bones of the earth fused into a single mountain. Its very name carries a whisper of its role. Wetterhorn — the “Weather Peak” — stands as a sentinel at the gate of Grindelwald. For centuries, locals have looked to it for signs of rain or storm. When clouds coil around its ridges, when mist settles upon its horned summit, the people know the valley’s fate. The Wetterhorn does not merely endure the weather — it shapes it, speaks through it, and foretells it. Yet the mountain is more than stone and wind; it is alive in story. In the thunder of avalanches, locals once heard the growl of a sleeping giant shifting in his slumber beneath the rock. Storms rolling down its cliffs were thought to be the giant’s laughter. Some believed the Wetterhorn guarded Grindelwald, holding back the full force of tempests from the west. Others warned that to mock the mountain’s moods was to invite disaster. Then came the age of climbers. In 1854, Alfred Wills, a British judge and mountaineer, stood upon the Wetterhorn’s summit. His ascent is remembered as the spark of the “golden age of alpinism,” drawing explorers and dreamers from across Europe. To some, it was “the birthplace of alpinism” and a triumph of human daring; to others, an intrusion into a realm once reserved for nature and storms. Best view For the most iconic sight of the Wetterhorn, head to Grindelwald’s First Cliff Walk. From the steel walkway jutting into the air, the Wetterhorn fills your horizon — sometimes glowing gold at sunrise, sometimes wearing a crown of storm clouds. Hike to feel its moods Take the scenic and quiet trail from Grindelwald to Bäregg Hut (about 2.5 hours). Along the way, the Wetterhorn looms ever closer, its cliffs shifting in colour with every step. And when the clouds gather about its summit, you might ask yourself: is it simply rain on the way, or the ancient giant stirring once more in his stony sleep?  The Watercourse Master Plan for the Lütschine river is intended to reduce catastrophic consequences from flooding events.
Photo: Andreas Staeger Lauterbrunnen’s striking Weiße Lütschine river is not just a scenic marvel — it also plays a vital role in Switzerland’s water system. Fed by melting snow from the surrounding mountains, it flows into the Aare River, continues to Lake Biel, skirts the southern edge of the Jura range, and eventually joins the Rhine at Koblenz in northwestern Switzerland. In 2005, a devastating storm swept through the Bernese Oberland, causing widespread destruction. Its aftermath triggered a range of long-term initiatives — one of which is the Lütschine Watercourse Development Plan, designed to help prevent similar catastrophes in the future. In 2023 and 2024, the first phases of river regrading could be observed from the balcony of Eyhus. The riverbed was widened, and large stones were strategically placed to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding. A crucial element of this project is bedload management — guiding as much sediment and debris through the river channel as possible. Dedicated spaces have also been created to accommodate deposited material and store debris removed during and after flood events. At Stechelberg, one can often witness massive boulders being shifted as part of this ongoing effort. Remaining untamed yet deeply cared for, the Weiße Lütschine continues to captivate with its wild beauty, gurgling and feet cooling offerings.  Photo: https://issuu.com
Best known for its rich brewing heritage, Rugenbräu AG is far more than a traditional beer producer. Nestled in the heart of the Bernese Oberland, the company has expanded its passion for craft beverages into the world of premium gin through the Rugen Distillery. One of the distillery’s most intriguing techniques involves letting the gin flow over rock crystal—a clear, colourless form of quartz—at the final stage of distillation. While subtle, this natural filtration process is believed to add clarity and a refined finish to the spirit. But the story doesn't end there. What truly sets Rugen Distillery apart is where the gin is matured: in barrels stored in dramatic, atmospheric locations such as the Jungfraujoch, the bottom of Lake Hinterstocken, and the cellars beneath Mount Rugen. Each location contributes a sense of place—and mystery—to the final product, making every bottle part of a larger story. Rugen currently offers three unique gin expressions, each deeply rooted in the Swiss landscape and crafted with care: The Original Gin Rugen’s flagship gin is a tribute to local tradition. Dominated by juniper, it’s carefully balanced with bittersweet alpine herbs and fresh citrus, evoking the crisp, clean air of the surrounding mountains. Red Gin – With Aronia Berry A bold expression enhanced by the Aronia berry, often celebrated as a superfood. Used whole, dried, and granulated, the berry lends a subtle bitterness and rich, woody complexity. The berries are sourced from organic farms operated by a socially committed institution in Bern, reinforcing the brand’s connection to community and sustainability. Blue Gin – Butterfly Pea Blossom Inspired by the colour-changing magic of Blue Chai tea, this gin incorporates dried Clitoria ternatea blossoms, which give it a striking indigo hue. Add a splash of tonic, and the gin transforms into a vibrant violet, reminiscent of summer wildflowers on alpine meadows—a stunning twist for any cocktail. New: Zero-Alcohol Gin Keeping pace with growing demand for alcohol-free options, Rugenbräu AG has recently invested in an advanced dealcoholisation plant, allowing it to create its new “Zero” Gin. This innovation delivers full flavour with no alcohol however preserving the essence of the gin’s botanicals. Beyond beverages, Rugenbräu is committed to preserving the craft. The company actively trains the next generation of brewers and beverage technologists, as part of Switzerland’s specialized food technology field. With only a handful of apprentices graduating each year, Rugenbräu plays a key role in sustaining traditional brewing knowledge and nurturing future talent. From mountain-aged barrels to botanical storytelling, Rugenbräu AG continues to innovate while staying true to its alpine roots—crafting not just drinks, but experiences. You can book a tour here: https://www.rugenbraeu.ch/en/rundgaenge/ Going to a cow show or event where traditional clothing my locals is worn, you will more than likely see the Edelweiss shirt. The original fabric of the Edelweiss shirt is woven from double-threaded yarn and is robust yet soft and was originally worn as a work shirt. The design is the protected property of the Jenni family of Märithuesli AG in Brienzwiler, https://maerithuesli.ch who have been making their original Swiss designs since 1979. The edelweiss shirt is particularly popular in the sport of wrestling and will be a good fit for the Swiss Post's commemorative stamp commemorating this year's Swiss Wrestling and Alpine Festival ( ESAF) in Glarus (August 29 to 31). There will be around 270 wrestlers, 70 stone throwers, and approximately 350,000 visitors at this traditional and exciting highlight of the Swiss calendar.  When you see a long piece of webbing, about 10 meters long and 30 cm off the ground, in a school or park, often between two trees, that could be a Slack line. Fun is the main focus when slacklining. It teaches children and athletes about balance. They are also used as fitness equipment or in physiotherapy. The activity also has creative aspects, with a tradition in performances and shows and as equipment in public spaces. Switzerland is the first country to recognise slacklining as a sport. Nine years after the founding of the national federation of Switzerland, Swiss Slackline was elected by the Swiss Sports Parliament as a new member of Swiss Olympic. Isn’t it like tight rope walking? Tight rope walking involves walking across a rope pulled tight between the two fixed objects, while in slacklining the rope or wire has a bit of slackness and looseness to it. In essence, tightrope walking involves walking across a rope that has tension to it and less give than the slacklining version. While, in slacklining tension is given to the rope only when the walker’s body weight adds this tension to it. In summer in Wengen there is usually a Slackline set up for anyone to try for free. With the beautiful cliffs behind it, it will be easier to look straight ahead which will help your balance.  Ever wondered what you are looking at up there, high in the heavens?  Night Sky by Joshua Kettle This beautiful photo by Joshua Kettle captures a clear night sky filled with heavenly sparkles. This photo was taken at a photo hotspot not far from the apartment at the top of the gravel path from the bridge and Tal Museum leading up to the village and main road. This website will tell you exactly what is up there on any given date and time. https://theskylive.com/planetarium?geoid=2659992#google_vignette Several factors affect stargazing. Cloud cover is the most common downer. Also, conditions like transparency, referring to the clarity in the sky, affect your ability to see the night sky. The stability of the atmosphere also plays a significant role in stargazing as does your patience and warm clothing.  This photo of the Milky Way by Mike is taken further up the valley.
Photography details: Lens Sigma 24-70 2.8 2) 90s f/2.8 800 exposures stacked for the landscape 4x6 30s f/2.8 1600 exposures stacked for the sky A very lovely way to spend a balmy summer evening wandering up the valley and watching the stars. Or in winter, from the balcony when there is not too much glare from the flood lit Staubbach Falls.  Dairy farming in Switzerland is still very much a family tradition although it is very hard work. Nothing romantic about tumbling out of bed at 3am in the pitch dark to make sure the girls are in line for their morning milking session.
In the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the most common cow breed seen is the Brown Swiss, also known as Braunvieh. This breed is known for its robust build, good milk production, and suitability for both dairy and beef production. They are easily recognizable by their light brown coat with a creamy white muzzle and dark nose. Cow shows are a serious event and ar hosted throughout the year around the country. The Braunvieh organisation records milk productions and other statistics for both cows and bulls and facilitates the genetical record keeping and trends for this valuable 'Brown Swiss' breed. At a young age, children are also encouraged to enter the show ring, like this little lady here at the Toggenburg Regional Show in April Source:www.braunvieh.ch  Barry, the most famous rescue dog in the world, died 200 years ago but remains a legend to this day. In the Bern’s Natural History Museum (www.nmbe.ch) you can plan your trip to visit Barry.
Barry was born in 1800. In the same year, Thomas Jefferson was elected the 3rd President of the United States and Schiller's Mary Stuart was premiered. Barry lived as a rescue dog in the hospice on the Great St. Bernard Pass , which lies almost 2500 meters above sea level. The hospice has been run by the Augustinian canons since the 11th century. Crossing the pass was life-threatening at any time of year. The canons and their servants rescued those buried or lost. Over time, the canons had the dogs accompany them in their search for missing people. Together they saved over 2000 people from death in over 200 years . Barry is said to have helped rescue 40 people - he was already a legend during his lifetime. The rescue dogs were not avalanche dogs in the modern sense. Their most important task was to find the way back to the hospice, even in heavy snowstorms. Barry was certainly an extraordinary dog. However, many of the legends surrounding Barry are still not confirmed. For example, that Barry was killed by a French soldier who mistook him for a wolf. At that time, there were still a few wolves living on the Great St. Bernard Pass. And in May 1800, Napoleon crossed the pass with around 46,000 soldiers. But Barry was only just born that year. Barry died in Bern in 1814. He spent the last two years of his life in Bern in retirement. He was brought to the federal capital at the request of the prior. History confirms that Barry must have been a special dog and you can have your photo taken next to him. Source:https://www.nmbe.ch/de/ausstellungen/barry The yearly local artists exhibition in Unterseen near Interlaken will be January 11th - February 2nd, 2025 For several years now, the "Unterseen Art Collection" (KSU) has organized a group exhibition called "Quiet Time". It is that time of year after the rush of year end and the calming of snow falling and a desire to enjoy nature in its ‘Whiteness’, it is a Quiet Time. The exhibition offers artists from the Bernese Oberland, especially emerging artists, an opportunity to exhibit their work. For example, On his website one can read about Urs Aebersold. "Born on July 22, 1989 and inspired by his father at an early age, Urs began with pencil drawings. Even then, his favourite subjects were wild animals and mountain landscapes. During his youth he pursued many other hobbies until, at around 27, he was inspired again and bought a box of oil paints to paint his favourite subjects. Motivated by the positive feedback from many, he continues to paint animals and mountain landscapes with great passion in his colourful painting style.” For Thomas Schreier, the mountains have captivated him since early childhood and since 2009 he has belonged to the Swiss Mountain Painters Guild in Grindelwald. Sources: https://kunstsammlung-unterseen.ch Thomas Schreier http://www.bergimpressionen.ch Urs Aebersold https://www.ursaebersold.ch Paintings above L to R:
Dreigestirn im Abendlicht (Triumvirate (group fof three powerful ones) in the evening light) Artist: Thomas Schreier Waterfalls Artist: Urs Aebersold Artist Urs Aebersold in action  Kleine Scheidegg in winter. Photo courtesy of Jungfrau Tourism With a high base above 2,000m, north-facing slopes and a modern snow canon infrastructure, you’ll maximise your chances of the white stuff being in top-notch condition up at Eigergletscher (2,333m) and Kleine Scheidegg (2,061m). No wonder that tons of money was spent to install the super-sleek Eiger Express gondola to carry 2,200 passengers per hour. Be whisked from the Grindelwald Terminal and parking station just 6.5km in 15 minutes to Eigergletscher for a wonderful day of skiing and boarding enjoyment. The ever present trio peaks, the Eiger (3,970m), Mönch (4,107m) and Jungfrau (4,158m) are your constant awe-inspiring scenery. They give you good reason to stop, catch your breath and take more photos. Lots of space, well groomed, some sneaky off Piste areas close to the lifts and never boring with 100’s of kms of runs. One can even download an app to tell one how many of these kms one skied.  The Eiger. Photo courtesy of Jungfrau Tourism  Home made Advent Calender In Lauterbrunnen for a snow experience? Here is an advent calendar of winter wonders to explore on foot.
Advent calendars have their roots in the 19th century, when German Protestants started taking creative steps to mark the days leading up to Christmas, like ticking off chalk marks on walls or doors and lighting candles. Some people still make their own and of course there are many Chocolate filled varieties in the shops.
Photo Source: Nati from Pexels A very special event on Sunday, September 15, 2024, was the Anniversary 25th Bernese Alpine Cheese Championship on the Männlichen. In stunning sunshine, after some snowfall, we were able to taste the 3 categories of cheeses that were judged the da before. 1. Berner Hobelkäse AOP, (produced in 2022 or older), 2. Coeur des Alpes (Berner Alpkäse AOP, produced in 2023) and the Alpmutschli (produced in 2024) . Overall there were 114 cheese, I didn’t try them all of course, however as a former cheesemaker myself, my favourite being the Hobelkäse. This year, the Region of Lenk was the winner in the Hobelkäse division. Alongside each cheese exhibit were the tasting notes and scores from the expert jury. The expert jury, although not immediately unanimous on every alpine cheese, nevertheless agreed in the overall assessment that the cheese quality could be significantly improved, as observed in previous years. If the participating alpine pastures at the Bernese Alpine Cheese Championship provide a whole wheel for assessment, any errors cannot be discovered beforehand and therefore avoided, which makes the competition for this natural product all the more difficult and exciting! One could experience how each cheese wheel has its own unique aroma. Each Bernese Alpine Cheese AOP contains pure alpine milk rich in herbs and is produced and cared for exclusively by hand. A natural product with a strong character. In Switzerland, Citizens are able to vote on proposed initiatives and have an active say in major changes. What is “biodiversity”? Biodiversity means "diversity of living things" on three levels: the diversity of habitats, species diversity and genetic diversity. Biodiversity provides people with numerous ecosystem services, such as the pollination of crops, and is therefore essential for agriculture. Agriculture is aware of the importance of biodiversity and takes its responsibility in this regard seriously. One fifth of the agricultural area in Switzerland is used to promote biological diversity. One of Switzerland's special features is the high level of biodiversity that goes hand in hand with its diverse landscape. The Alpine region in particular is a biodiversity hotspot for which Switzerland bears and also accepts a particularly high level of responsibility. The unique and diverse landscape in the Bernese Oberland has a huge appeal and is a magnet for guests from near and far. This sometimes pushes the limits of local businesses. In order to maintain this appeal, a good balance between protection and use is needed. Without agriculture, our valleys and mountains would not have the same importance. Respect for the environment with a focus on high biodiversity is also central in our region. Agriculture and tourism are already doing a lot to achieve this. The Federal Council and Parliament reject the biodiversity initiative because they believe it goes too far . It would severely restrict (sustainable) energy and food production , make the use of forests and tourist infrastructure in rural areas more difficult , and make building more expensive. Domestic supplies would be weakened and imports of energy, food, and wood would increase. In addition, there are already sufficient instruments and legal provisions to promote biodiversity. How is biodiversity doing in Switzerland? The loss of species occurred mainly between 1850 and 2000. Thanks to numerous measures, the negative trend has been halted. Among other things, every fifth hectare of agricultural land is now used specifically to promote biodiversity. In addition, mountain farming maintains 220,000 hectares of particularly species-rich grassland in summer pastures. However, there is still a need to ensure the survival of endangered species. On the other hand, there are also winners who feel very comfortable in Switzerland and whose numbers are increasing. Examples of this are the stork or heat-loving butterflies. Unfortunately, unwanted, so-called invasive non-native animals and plants are also migrating, damaging native biodiversity. Ultimately, we agree: everyone is called upon to protect and promote biodiversity. What is the reason for the insect extinction? The decline in insects is due to numerous factors. These include the disappearance of habitats, light pollution, climate change and overly intensive agricultural production methods. Insects are important for agriculture because they pollinate numerous crops and thus ensure harvests. Accordingly, a trend towards sustainable production took place some time ago and numerous measures have been implemented. Farming families now use almost 20% of their land to promote biodiversity and thus as a habitat and food source for insects. More and more companies are also producing according to label specifications such as (organic, IP, etc.), which are linked to additional services related to biodiversity. What can be done to better protect endangered species? Quantity alone is not enough. Rather, quality must be optimized and the areas must be carefully cared for and managed. Rare habitats such as low hedges, carefully placed individual shrubs, sparse woody plants, high-quality fallow land with a permanently high abundance of flowers, raw soil for wild bees and germination niches for accompanying flora in fields must be specifically promoted. The targeted care of quality meadows and liberalization of methods for keeping pastures open, especially in summer pasture areas, are further approaches to improvement. Swiss agriculture is committed to this. Source: https://biodiversitaetsinitiative-nein.ch/faq.html Photo: https://www.volkswirtschaftbeo.ch/ 
At some of the highlight views around the Jungfrau, some Film location hearts mark the photo points from from Crash Landing on You. A top rating South Korean television series that aired on tvN from December 14, 2019 to February 16, 2020. It has now brought in a flood of people to also experience these scenes from the romance adventure of Yoon Se-ri’s paragliding flight off course into North Korea. In this clip from tvN one can see the Jungfrau Joch in the background as the flyer drifts around the Eiger from Eiger Gletscher.  Early on in the series, the two stars were filmed at Kleine Scheidegg watching paragliders like a prophecy years before Yoon Se-ri made her Crash landing. Early on in the series, the two stars were filmed at Kleine Scheidegg watching paragliders like a prophecy years before Yoon Se-ri made her Crash landing. (Left)
The tearful reunion of stars Ri Jeong Hyeok and Yoon Se-ri was filmed in the popular landscape of Grindelwald. Where you can also safely fly on the First Flyer after first catching the cable car up to Station First from Grindlewald. (RIght) Taking a walk back in time, you can visit the “Sagi” or saw mill that was built in 1858 and still runs on just waterpower, no electricity is there. Here, trees are cut and trimmed. You need to book a tour with Mürren Tourism to see inside. You can get a glimpse on this link here https://youtu.be/pwYmC7tdskQ It is a worthwhile round walk from Gimmelwald Lift station of about 6 kilometres and stroller friendly. From Gimmelwald Lift station, head up the road passing Pension Gimmelwald and when you reach a sharp left bend marking to Im Tal. Followign this path that becomes a gravel road through a forest to a view point over the valley and you will reach the Sawmill. After the Sawmill there is another crossroad, if you turn right you will go back uphill to Gimmelwald.  Photo Credi: Mürren Tourism
Despite the gushing, rushing and many fast flowing rivers and streams in Lauterbrunnen and the region that already contribute to the electricity needs, there is still a shortage of power and the search for renewable energy goes on. Soon there will be Alpine Solar farms installed. They will look a bit like the avalanche inhibiting structures that you already see high up on the mountains above villages. In alpine areas, the sun shines more often, there are fewer foggy days and the snow-covered environment reflects the light. This intense sunlight enables high electricity production all year round. Legislation on large-scale photovoltaic systems was carried out at the federal level. The municipalities are not involved in the building permit procedure for such plants. So the communities will vote on 17th June if they will accept these projects. You will also see that there is new work underway to upgrade the Schilthorn cable car structures. The region is very progressive to enable visitors an efficient and pleasant experience.  Photo Credit: SchiltSolar Project, the planned photovoltaic system viewed from Wasenegg
A beautiful quiet place with amazing views of the Lauterbrunnen valley, is the Staubbachbänkli. From Wengen train station, walk past the COOP supermarket, veer right down the hill under the rail tracks then take your first left. There is a sign post and it is about 30 minutes along a view filled stroller friendly path. You will pass Mary’s café at the foot of Innerwengen where the finish line and the offices of the World cup are also located. Up a small slope and past a dairy, (with goats, donkeys and chickens) where you can buy cheese and icecream from their ATM. Shortly past here you will find the 9 or 10 seats that face the breath-taking view. You will need to sit down to take it all in. Here, you will see the second waterfall of the Staubbach. It is above in the forest but visible and a true waterfall itself as it. Apparently a waterfall is water flowing off a horizontal to drop around 1.5 metres or 5 foot. This waterfall certainly adds to the 72 in the Lauterbrunnen Valley. As well as a lovely place for a picnic, you may meet some local feathered residents or see some wild deer down the slope.  Second Staubbach waterfall above and left in forest As the snow begins to melt and we wave goodbye to our winter playground, the valley gets louder. Loud from many more rushing waters as the snow melts and the smaller watercourses burst out of the majestically high rock faces from the force of the groundwater behind them. Of course the name ‘Lauterbrunnen’ means loud fountains and that is very true. Looking up the 300 metre steep cliffs, especially on the left hand side heading toward Stechelberg, one can often spot these random water spurts bursting through. That is how the valley waterfall count can get as high as or even higher than 72 😊 Sitting on the right-hand side of the train up to Wengen, I think one gets the best views. Also one comes close to the 6 or so waterfalls rushing over the Wengen side rock ridge. Sometimes hard to read the names quickly, however most of them are named. What is a better experience, is to walk up, or down the path to Wengen. One can come closer to these waterfalls hidden by forest and rock ridges. On one hairpin walking track bend, after passing under the arch of an old rocky rail bridge over head, one can see the old train track that has a chain across it. For the adventurous, the walk along this old track is at your own risk and takes you nearer to these exciting gushing waters. A Flühli (or Flue) is characteristic of rock formations and rock peaks embedded in gentler shapes, mostly made of limestone. Flühli is describing the chimney-like formation where the watercourse races through.  Chilbiflühli Other enjoyment options include walking along the paths that are usually only available in summer. This year with much sun, has revealed the summer paths already behind Wengen. And what a delightful series of hiking paths there are, for example the Gemsen Weg. Gemsen are Chamois or goats who live up in the rocky parts overlooking Wengen. Taking the path out of Wengen at the end of the village, turn right and past the Cinema /Kino and head for part of the Gemsen Weg. The Gemsen Weg proper, zig zags up under the Männlichen cable car to the peak. However there is a round path that also brings you back through the forest and into the village. Or left at the end of the village towards the reformed church with its fabulous views of the Lauterbrunnen Valley steeply below. Then continue along the path, after the Hotel Bellevue veer to the right towards Hunneflue. At the Hunneflue, you are looking down toward Zweilütschinen and Wilderswil. From here it is possible to also choose the route via Leiterhorn or a round trip that includes part of the Gemsen weg back into Wengen. There are seats along the way that are needed to take in the spectacular views.  View along return path to Wengen from Hunneflue. Peaks left to right: Lauberhorn, Mönch and Jungfrau.  This view is from the top of the Männlichen Cabelcar The Männlichen Cabelcar set a technical record in 1957 as the longest single-cable gondola in Europe with a length of 6.2 kilometers. Total journey time was around half an hour and gave one time to eat a picnic lunch in winter to get ready for the afternoon’s skiing. It is faster now. In 1978, it was also the first gondola lift to have so-called rubber band accelerators, which enable comfortable acceleration and deceleration of the gondolas in the stations. Now, one can sing one’s way to the top in one of the 2 Karaoke Gondolas! The website says, “The greatest music hits of all time are waiting to be chosen and can be performed together with the other gondola guests. And of course there are soothing Ricola sweets available so that you can make the most of your singing potential.”  Sources:
https://www.maennlichen.ch/en/winter/experiences/ricola-karaoke-gondola.html https://www.enviadi.com/blog/maennlichenbahn-grindelwald/ With the cooler December months come Christmas markets and Mulled wine, or Glühwein. Glühwein literally translates as "Glowing Wine", the name being derived from the time when hot irons were used to heat the drink. If you have not tasted it, then you can make your own. It is a hot beverage consisting of red wine that is gently heated with with various spices such as cinnamon, anis, cloves, cardamom, and citrus fruits. A non-alcoholic mulled wine is called Kinderpunsch. Ingredients 1.5 liter red wine 2 bottles 75 cl each 4 oranges untreated 5 cloves 3 Cinnamon Sticks 3 star anise 75 ml rum or brandy (optional) 100gr brown sugar if you can get Belgium Rock Sugar How to: Slice two oranges and juice the two remaining oranges. Add the red wine, orange slices, and freshly pressed orange juice and spices in a pot. Gently heat the mixture at a low temperature. Do not let it boil! The ideal temperature is 72°C/ 161 °F. Anything over 78°C/172,4°F and the alcohol will evaporate. You can best check this with a cooking thermometer. Optional Step: leave the Glühwein to sit for an hour or two and then reheat. This will allow for the spices to fully develop their flavour. I don’t add sugar, as a good wine can speak for itself. But if using a cheaper wine, add some sugar. The right amount of sugar will depend on your personal taste. For an extra warmth factor, add in some brandy or rum. To serve, strain out the orange slices and spices and serve the wine hot. You can also make it in a slow cooker or crock pot so that it will keep warm for your outdoor Grill Fest or BBQ in the crisp winter air.  Why not save the disappointment of not reaching the “I’m going to do this….” And plunge into dismal disenchantment when you haven’t lost those extra Christmas kilos by Easter. The ancient Babylonians came up with the idea of promising new things to their gods at the beginning of their year. And we are still doing it! A long tradition of four thousand years, we are still talking about our ‘next year’ plans. Since ‘resolutions’ is such a hard word, maybe that is why they don’t stick, but maybe think of dreams and new habits instead. How could that be different? A dream is something you’d like to get done at some point in life. For example, “I’d like to walk the Mönch peak track” or “I’d love to find the source of the Staubbach.” They can be something just around the corner or something that might take several years to work up to. Apparently the best goals are the ones that are just out of reach at the present moment. If you can put an easy timeline and deadline to it and knowing that you could do it, then , its probably not big enough to be a dream but a goal. A goal is a dream with a deadline. That means it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and with a time frame. For example, “I’d like to save up 2,000€ towards renovating the kitchen by June this year.” A habit is a daily or weekly activity that helps one accomplish their goals. For example, “I’m going to ditch my Netflix account and put that money towards the kitchen.” A habit helps put structure around a goal, making it more attainable. Maybe instead of a resolution, we need to spend more time dreaming about what we want out of life. Then we could take those dreams and start turning them into goals and habits. Then maybe at year end the dreams have come true.  Photo: Mönch South-East Ridge, near the top October 2, 2020 Jean-Nicolas Fahrenberg
 Summer has slowly waved farewell and autumn has been boasting its colours to beautify the valley in gold before the shorter winter days and snow appear.
November is a time when many businesses try and take a month of rest. They seek some remaining warm weather a little further south to get recharged in readiness for winter visitors. This summer has been full in the valley, with many more visitors than usual as people have begun to travel again after Covid put their plans on hold. This has caused quite an overload this year on the valley of Lauterbrunnen and the services offered by the local council, such as toilets and parking. So what is it like to live in a village that has suddenly become an Instagram favourite? Here are some comments from local residents at a local meeting….. “We feel like employees at an amusement park” “We are almost desperate, we locals simply have no room left in Lauterbrunnen,” At a local residents meeting, it was clearly said that Day-trippers are problematic for traffic because they come just to see the Staubbach waterfall and leave without even buying a coffee, “They come in a rental car, take photos of the Staubbach Falls and then leave again.” This leads to traffic chaos: “I have the feeling that I live next to a motorway, people drive into the valley and out again. It’s annoying” Tourists walk into people's private garden areas to take photos and disrespectfully play football in the cemetery. Visitors are so awed at the Staubbach falls as they enter the village, that they will unconsciously stand in the middle of the narrow road to take photos of the Falls and become a traffic hazard themselves and cause danger to drivers. A quaint little rural village, that only has a narrow footpath on one side through the village, has a lot of congestion when tourists are not mindful to look out for their own safety. We welcome you to Lauterbrunnen, to enjoy the beauty of nature and the many other offerings here. Now you know what it can be like for residents to share their village with the holiday makers we all like to welcome. Source: https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/tourismusflut-in-lauterbrunnen-wir-fuehlen-uns-wie-angestellte-in-einem-freizeitpark Photo: Willian Justen de Vasconcellos |
Little stream below our balcony
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Eyhus 5,
3822 Lauterbrunnen, Schweiz Email: [email protected] About Us: We love the Jungfrau Region and enjoy helping guests to plan and discover the beauty here for themselves. Summer, Winter, Spring and Autumn each have their opportunities to give inspiration in this amazing Playground. |
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