Summary: 170 miles of hiking in the Swiss and Italian Alps.
Includes 108,000 feet of climbing.
An incredible 3 1/2 weeks with my friends, appreciating all the Alps have to offer.
Included were regions in Switzerland, Austria, and the Dolomites in n'ern Italy. And as the pictures and videos will show, we had an incredible experience. Couldn't ask for three better hiking partners.
Favorite Pics and Video Clips and Narration of our Route and Maps and Packing List
Full size Photos by region:
Region 1: Appenzel's. Switzerland: Wasserauen and Berghaus Ascher (the Santis).
Region 2: Engadin Region
Hiking in the Swiss National Park (Val Minger, Cluozza/Murter).
Upper Engadin (LaPunt). Lej Muragl (beautiful alpine lake).
Upper Engadin: Es-Cha Hutte Loop:
LaPunt -> Madulain -> Alp Es-cha Dadour -> Val Mura -> Es-Cha Hutte Lp
Upper Engadin: Coaz Hutte hike (off Corvatsch lift)
Region 3: Guarda (on way to Austria), & castles
Region 4: The Dolomites, Italy (Part 1): Val Gardena: Sella & Gschagenhardt Lps
Region 4: The Dolomites, Italy (Part 2): Puez Hut Lp & Horses
Region 5: Ballenberg Outdoor Museum (Brienz. Near Interlachen)
Region 5: Grindewald, Switzerland (Schynige Platte-Faulhorn hike)
Region 6: Murren>Griesalp>Kandersteg: back-to-back hard days
Region 7: Glarus: ascend Vorder Glarnisch, Switzerland.
Alps Food. Variety of food and places we ate.
Itinerary
July 26: PDX (depart 8:30am) -> Philadelphia -> Zurich (arrive 8:30am July 27th).
Region #1: July 27-29 | Appenzell: hike Wasserauen -> Santis Hut -> Wildhaus (~ 15 miles)
Region #2: July 29 - 31 | lower Engadin Valley (Scuol, Swiss National Park)
Region #3: July 31 - Aug 3 | upper Engadin (LaPunt and many great hiking options)
Region #4: Aug 4- 5 | Reutte, Austria & Hohenschwangau, Germany (time out for castles)
Region #5: Aug 5 - 8 | The Dolomites, Val Gardena (Selva), Italy
Region #6: Aug 9-10 | Interlachen/Brienz, Switzerland. Outdoor museum (Ballenberg)
Region #7: Aug 10 - 12 | Grindewald (across from the Eiger). Spectacular hikes (map) in the area.
Region #8:Aug 13 - 15 | Murren -> Sifinafurgga Pass to Griesalp | Griesalp -> Hohturli Pass to Kandersteg
Region #9: Aug 16 - 17 | Glarus (far end of Klontalersee). Hike/climb Vorder Glarnisch.
Aug 18: Hike up to Glarnisch Hutte. Return, shower, and drive to Zurich.
Aug 19: travel to Zurich: Depart Zurich (10:25am) -> Philadelphia -> PDX. Arrive 8:50pm.