Lauterbrunnen - 11 April 2024

11.04 - Interlaken / Schilthorn / Trümmelbachfälle

Once again, a very peaceful night in a residential area. 

Up and at it early (for us!). Made sandwiches with yesterday’s bread - lots of tomato needed (!) - but at least it’s tasty bread. 

We left by 08.45 - this was the view from behind Dave, and the 2021 Mobilvetta owned by the parking space people. 

Tintin elected to drive again - only 30 minutes through the valley to Lauterbrunnen. Busy getting through town to the campsite!

It’s been a very busy, and expensive day. First up, the cost of Camping Jungfrau in Lauterbrunnen was CHF 130 for two nights (no electricity either - that’s extra!). We decided to pay the CHF 15 excess for arriving before 14.30 (ridiculous late time!) so that we could fit everything in in two days instead of three, thereby saving CHF 42.40. We then decided it was easier to buy all our tickets from the lovely helpful lady at the reception desk. Today’s excursion to Schilthorn was CHF 148.20, and tomorrow’s to Jungfraujoch was CHF 213.60 - and that’s with our 50% off! We also spent CHF 25.20 for the waterfalls later on - just a small discount with our camping card. 

The man showing us to our parking spot was originally from Manchester - and obviously wanted to chat - but we wanted to get on! He said they’d had 1.5m of snow up at Kleine Schneidegg (2,061m) just yesterday. 

Lauterbrunnen (800m) means many fountains - there are 72 waterfalls in this valley. It was also inspiration for JRR Tolkien when he visited in 1911 for Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings. 

We walked back through Lauterbrunnen, and then went on the cable car up to Grütschalp. On the recommendation of the receptionist, instead of taking the train - we then walked the 5km through the forest to Mürren (car free). Was a lovely walk - lots of snow and brilliant views of the mountains. Good views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. 

We stayed in Mürren - had our picnic and walked through the town to the cable car. Next leg up to Brig, then up to Schilthorn (2,970m) itself and the famous Piz Gloria revolving restaurant - which takes 45 minutes to go full circle. 

The fourth Bond film starring George Lazenby - On Her Majesty’s Secret Service was filmed here. In 1968/69 they used local ski instructors to act as doubles for George Lazenby, Diana Ring and Telly Savalas. A man made avalanche was made - 200,000 m3 of glacier were sent into the valley - the demolition in Tschingelgrat can still be seen today. 

As expected (with our weather planning!) - spectacular views in every direction. We decided not to eat or drink at the 360° restaurant. 

We went down to the Bond experience.  Watched a few films in the cinema - one about the future they are building at the moment - double cable cars etc to be finished in the next few years. Another was various clips of The Bond film. 

There is a Bond experience. Manky old helicopter - none of the buttons worked - but should have! The toboggan you can sit in and various other bits - a bit lame maybe? Were told we had to visit the toilets - really strange - have Bond related pictures everywhere, and Bond commentary!

From there we took the cable car down to Birg. We went on the Thrill Walk - couldn’t go all the way around - think due to work being carried out overhead. Thought I’d be a bit nervous - don’t enjoy heights as much anymore - but was fine walking on the glass floor, and also going on the cable walk. 

From there, after having sat in the sunshine and had a drink - caught the cable car again. Down to Gimmelwald, then down to Stechelberg. Again, not really a fan of the cable cars. They are just packed - like little sardines in a tin! So many people in their ski boots and full gear. Quite a few English too. 

From here we caught the bus to the Trümmelbachfälle. There are ten glacier waterfalls inside the mountain. Up to 20,000 litres per second of water! Height difference from top to bottom about 140m. 

We went in the lift inside the mountain up to level 6. I’m not sure the photos really do it justice. You had to be there to appreciate the deafening sound and to feel the spray on your face!

We both took lots of photos - Tintin took lots of video too. 

Caught the bus back for a couple of stops, then found our way back to the campsite - luckily we found the bridge - or it would have been a long walk!

My phone tells me we’ve walked nearly 16,500 steps today - might mitigate the rainy days when we didn’t walk at all!

We both feel we have sunburnt faces again today. We both packed too much too - had our binoculars, Yak-trax (for snow), hats, gloves, scarf, walking trousers, spare rain coat etc - must do better for tomorrow. Did make me admire Sarah & Herc for carrying all their worldly possessions with them for an 8 month trip!

It’s a shame we won’t really get to explore and enjoy one of our first campsite experiences. Tomorrow, we plan an early start - off to the Jungfraujoch - will take about 2 hours by train to get there.