Route: Brandegg from Holenstein
Area: Lauterbrunnental, Switzerland
Date of walk: 19th June 2024
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 3.2 miles
Ascent: 400 feet (1,316 feet descent)
Weather: Sunny and very warm
We’d planned to walk along the Schynige Platte Panorama Trail this morning, which is accessed via an historic old cog railway, but for once the famously efficient Swiss railway system let us down. There was a fault on the line with no indication as to when it would be repaired. It was time to come up with a new plan. As we were near Grindelwald we decided to take a train there and then the cable car up to the half way point at Holenstein
We alighted at the cable car station and set off along the Öpfelchüeliweg (Apple Fritter Trail). The paths are well waymarked and a detailed description isn’t necessary. We walked through woodland and meadows with fabulous views of the Eiger, Schreckhorn and Wetterhorn mountains along the way. The route was mostly downhill, but there were a few uphill sections causing us to huff and puff in 20c plus temperatures
The meadows were a particular delight, especially towards the end of the walk. The pastures were jam packed with numerous species – yellow rattle, meadow cranesbill, harebell, common spotted orchid and red clover to name just a few. All too soon we arrived at our destination, Brandegg. This consists of a restaurant with lovely views from the outdoor seating area and a small railway station. After enjoying a beer and apple fritters with ice cream (what else?) at the excellent Restaurant Brandegg we wandered across to the nearby station, caught the train to Kleine Scheidegg and from there on to our base in Wengen
It had been a wonderful walk and a perfect end to our walking holiday
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
View from the cable car to Holenstein, looking back to Grindelwald
View of Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn at the start of the walk from Holenstein
We set off along the Öpfelchüeliweg (Apple Fritter Trail)
We descend down a stony path in the direction of the Eiger
A short woodland section follows...
Schwarzhorn appears beyond the trees
Wetterhorn, and the first of the meadows which so enhanced this walk
Heading towards Schreckhorn
Wildflowers in abundance as we continue along the Apple Fritter Trail...
The wonderful view towards Grindelwald, Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn appears again
We cross a bridge over a small stream
Wetterhorn again
We follow the path through the meadows...
Contrasting landscapes, with the barren north face of the Eiger in the background and the fertile meadows in the foreground
More meadows as we continue to descend to Brandegg...
We arrive at Brandegg and visit the Mountain Restaurant, which serves delicious apple fritters
Here comes the Wengernalpbahn, on time as always, and so ends the last of nine wonderful walks in the Lauterburnnen area of Switzerland. On board the train, we admire views of 'The Big Three' one more time....
