Sneak Peaks of Switzerland
Five less crowded but more
adventurous crests that can be cool summer getaways
As unusually warm winds
swept through Europe last summer, Switzerland be came the go-to place for not
just Indians but other Europeans too. Instead of be coming tired old cliches,
all the major peaks -Titlis, Matterhorn, Schilthorn, Jungfrau -became
incredibly popular and rather crowded. But there are so many more that are
lesser known and offer much better experiences.
From the dragon legend of
Pilatus to the swinging, convertible-style cable car on top of Stanserhorn;
from the adrenaline rush of zipline and trotti bike on Grindelwald to the
romance of Harder Kulm, Switzerland has a rather embarrassing abundance of
mountain peaks that are less crowded, have plenty of adventure and activities
and are easily accessible.
Far from the Hullabaloo:
Üetliberg
Just a short train ride out
of Zurich takes visitors to Üetliberg. It is more a plateau than a peak, but
makes for the perfect getaway. It is incredible how just 30 minutes from
Zurich's busy streets is this calm and serene place, rising some 870 metres
above sea level. It offers spectacular views of the city as well as Lake
Zurich. Better still, the panoramic views extend all the way to the Swiss Alps.
Üetliberg is also ideal for treks and mountain bike rides. There are numerous
trekking routes and an unusual walking path at the top, with signposts and
descriptions of the solar system.
For the more adventurous,
there is also parasailing. The Uto Kulm is a beautiful, fine-dining restaurant
at the top, with a watch tower. Its raucous and dressy beer parties in October
are popular but it also organises a series of fests throughout the year.
The Hideaway: Harder Kulm
The snow-clad Jungfrau
dominates over Interlaken: it is visible from almost every spot in the town and
on the two lakes, the Thun and Brienz. But there is a lesser known, scenic peak
sitting just behind the town, almost directly opposite Jungfrau: Harder Kulm.
Rising into the sky for
over 1,322 metres, it is an ideal place to trek to. But it is easier and more
comfortable to take the quaint and pretty little funicular, Harderbahn, from
behind the Interlaken Ost train station, which offers spectacular views along
the way. The funicular takes less than 10 minutes to reach the top; and a
five-minute walk from the funicular station leads to the peak on which sits a
restaurant shaped like a castle. But more mesmerising are the spectacular views
of the Bernese Alps, including the Jungfrau, the two lakes and Interlaken. As
the sun sets in the distance, it is a picture-postcard evening.
Legend of the Mountain
Dragon: Pilatus
Overlooking Lake Lucerne,
Mount Pilatus is a picturesque peak that is often covered in snow.
Fascinatingly, there are numerous ways to approach the base and top of the
mountain. A leisurely boat ride from Lucerne takes visitors to Alpnachstad from
where a slow-moving cogwheel train, supposedly the steepest in the world, chugs
up to the top, turning quite precariously at one point. Pilatus itself is made
up of many peaks, the tallest rising to 2,132 metres.
On the top are many trails
that wind their way around and through mysterious tunnels. According to legend,
the peak was the abode of a rather benevolent dragon that had curative powers.
The Pilatus has adopted it so much so that a red dragon is now part of its
branding. There is also a gondola ride named after it. The Dragon Ride has
massive gondolas that offer spectacular views of the peaks and the surrounding
region. Stop halfway down at Fräkmüntegg for a variety of adventure activities
such as jungle gym, sledge rides, airboards and more. But the most fun is
probably the toboggan that hurtles down the mountain at an incredible speed and
gives an adrenaline rush. There is a lovely little café serving Swiss food, but
you can also perch on one of the rustic outdoor tables and sip on hot chocolate
and bite into an apple pie, with stunning peaks for company.
Roller Coaster Ride:
Stanserhorn
Rising almost 1,900 metres,
Stanserhorn is a picturesque peak in the Nidwalden region of Switzerland,
easily accessible from Lucerne. An ancient funicular, going back to the late
19th century, still ferries passengers to Kalti, which is halfway to the peak.
It starts from a lovely village called Stans. The funicular has retained a few
vestiges of its age, chief among them being the lovely cardboard ticket, a bit
like how railway tickets in India used to be a few decades ago.
Stanserhorn's biggest
attraction is the newly installed Cabrio cable car, which operates from Kalti
to the Stanserhorn peak. A beautiful and roomy cable car split into two floors,
it is designed like a convertible in that it has a terrace-like space with
handlebars and is open to the sky. Standing on the deck, with the mountain air
rushing through, as it travels at a top speed of 8 metres a second, is an
extraordinary experience. It is especially thrilling on the ride down, as a
gentle bump in the cables, owing to the gradient and tethering, gives the feel
of being on a swinging roller-coaster.
From the summit of
Stanserhorn, you can gaze at fantastic panoramic views of the Bernese Alps and,
on clear days, up to Germany's Black Forest. There are plenty of walking paths,
especially to the peak, while a revolving restaurant dishes out some
heartwarming Swiss soul food, including Alpine macaroni made with rich cheese,
potatoes and garnished with fried onion flakes.
Adrenaline Rush:
Grindelwald
About 30 minutes to the
west of Interlaken is the village of Grindelwald, which sits below the towering
mountain of Wetterhorn, with views of the other major peaks in the Bernese
Alps. But there is a minor peak called First (2,166 metres), which is an absolute
treasure for both adventure seekers as well as sedate families. The slope is
gentle and there is a narrow, tarred path that is easy to climb.However, it is
more fun to take the gondola which provides scenic views of the village.The
ride is leisurely as the gondolas slowly ascend over pretty houses and
playgrounds, pine forests and lush green meadows speckled with cows, their
giant bells punctuating the silent mountain atmosphere.
As the gondola rises, the
mountain peaks of Jungfrau, Eiger and Mönch become more and more clear, their
peaks glistening in the sun. Once on top of Grindelwald First, visitors can
choose from a variety of exciting adventure activities, from gentle to
high-octane. A 45-minute trek along clearly marked paths flanked by flowery meadows
leads to the picturesque Bachalpsee Lake, a crystalclear water body that
reflects the snow-covered Schreckhorn. A jaw-dropping, gravitydefying Cliff
Walk hugs the side of the mountain and makes for a thrilling trek with
spectacular views of the Bernese Alps as well as the village below. For
adrenaline junkies, a ride on the First Flyer, a cross between a zipline and
ski-lift, will do the trick.
A restaurant on the summit
offers indoor and outdoor seating, though the outdoors with the jaw-dropping
views of the Bernese Alps are hard to resist, despite the cold and fierce winds
that sweep the area. To end the trip, opt for a rapid descent down the peak on
a trotti-bike. A cross between a bicycle and skateboard, the ride down is rapid
and thrilling.
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Anita
Rao-Kashi
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ETM1MAY16
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