My Favorite Mountain View

My favorite mountain view

If a person has no fear of getting to the top of a mountain, the rewards are unbelievable.  There is a quietness that surrounds one and a view that a person simply needs to drink in.

Switzerland contains many such mountain views, but my favorite is outside the small town of Wengen.  There are no cars in this small town and the only accessible way to reach this village is by train or hiking up the mountain which many people do.

From the train station, a short walk down the main street of town leads to the outskirts and a view that simply takes my breath away.  It is not as dramatic as some other mountain views I've seen but picturesque with the green Lauterbrunnen Valley below and the Staubbachfall in the distance.

The last time we stood and looked at the valley below, a couple from England joined us.  They told us that they came to this area frequently.  They send their luggage ahead and use the trains and boats to tour where they want to go.  The beautiful town of Interlaken is close by and is situated between two lakes called Thunersee and Brienzer See.

The end of the train line, past Wengen, leads to the Jungfraujoch where one can see the magnificent mountain, the Jungfrau.  It takes several hours to get to the top from the valley floor and we have never gone that far.  The Jungfrau is 13, 642 feet above sea level.  We have, however, seen the Jungfrau from the Niederhorn, another mountain with dramatic views and hang gliders going off its face. 

                              A view of the Jungfrau from the Niederhorn.

After viewing the Lauterbrunnen Valley from Wengen we decided to walk back to our car that was parked at the train station in the town of Lauterbrunnen.  As all mountain trails, it zigzagged back and forth and at times we had to be careful not to go down too quickly as it could be steep.

The walk down was as invigorating as the view.  We met several people coming up, including a group of nuns.  It is good to have photos to remind ourselves of these remarkable places.  But it is not as good as sitting on a bench and looking at the beauty that was all around us.   


   

                     Above:  The Staubbachfall from the trail.  Below: An old mountain hut and flowers at the
                          end of the trail.  (Click on pictures to enlarge.)