 Profile: Grindelwald
& Zermatt — Switzerland, Aug 9 - Aug 24, 2008
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The Village Grindelwald recently celebrated its 850th anniversary! The "Golden Age of Mountaineering" is said to have started here with the 1854 ascent of the Wetterhorn, the beautiful peak which dominates the Grindelwald Valley. Today, the village is a study in contrasts — a bustling tourist center with the modern infrastructure one would expect — hotels in every category, cultural events, a full range of restaurants, a network of mountain railways and cable cars, lots of hiking and skiing trails, etc. On the other hand, thanks to the seven subdivided "alps" above the village, it retains a very agrarian atmosphere, and grazing cows are never far away. Grindelwald is just some three hours from Zurich by rail and although it is at the end of a valley, it is within easy reach of other well known resorts, including Interlaken, Meiringen, Brienz and many more. It lies at about 3,500 feet — relatively low by Alpine standards — and as a result has a particularly rich flora, including both varied pine and deciduous trees. The Hotel The Park Hotel Schoenegg has been owned and operated by the Stettler family for several generations. Recently renovated, the rooms are comfortable and balconies or terraces all have breathtaking views of the Eiger, Wetterhorn and surrounding area. The hotel bar is cozy and welcoming, and the owners are hands on hosts of the old school. The hotel is equipped with a fine wellness center — swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, steambath and gym room. While removed from the frenetic pace of the railroad station, the hotel is just a few feet from food and other shopping possibilities. In short, a low-key, high comfort hotel in a near-perfect location! 
The WalksBecause the vast majority of summer guests pursue "mass" tourism — i.e. 1–2 day visits — our trails are normally far less populated than you might expect in a great Alpine center. For the gentler stroller, the area has a number of "hohenwegs" — relatively flat trails which may be reached by bus/cable car and do not have sustained height gains or losses, while traversing both north and south sides of the valley with non-stop views. And buses, trains and cable cars make it possible to tailor walks to individual preferences. For the advanced hiker, there are dozens of walks — to Swiss Alpine Club climbing huts, to such well known passes as the Kleine Scheidegg and the Grosse Scheidegg and to such well known peaks as the Maennlichen, the Faulhorn and the Wildgerst. Three of our favorite destinations are the Gleckstein Hut, Alpiglen via Boneren and the Bachalpsee — a jewel of a lake which reflects the myriad of stunning peaks which tower above Grindelwald. An extensive network of mountain restaurants adds to the fun! When You're Not Hiking There are many attractions which are not usually visited in the course of a hiking day. The Trummelbach Falls drain the glaciers of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau and flow inside the mountain. Scenic viewpoints — famous throughout the Alps — include the Jungfraujoch, reached by a thrilling train ride through two mountains and the Schilthorn above Muerren, whose revolving restaurant was the site of a James Bond adventure. Hikers like to visit the Ballenberg Museum in Brienz, which features examples of Swiss architecture from the various cantons in an outdoor setting. Brienz is also a woodcutting center. Interlaken is a well known resort and the jumping off point for boatrides on the beautiful lakes of Thun and Brienz. The English refer to this area as the "beauty spot" of the Alps. Yes, you can also rent a bike for a day. Come Join Us If you are intrigued by our "small is beautiful" philosophy and would like to receive additional information or make reservations for Matschertal, or any of our upcoming treks, please email Sheila Duigan or call her direct at 800-291-8126. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hiking Program 2008
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Sheila Duigan · Alpine Travel, Inc. · P.O. Box 159 · White Plains, NY 10605 · tel 800-291-8126 · fax 914-747-2266
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