I'm arriving in Geneva, Switzerland in late August and am looking to take a 2 day hiking trip somewhere in the Alps. I'll probably leave Geneva in the AM and go somewhere on the train- a casual hike (2-3 hrs) in the afternoon- overnight in a hostel- moderate day hike (6-8 hrs)- overnight in a hostel- return to Geneva. Not a ton of money to spend- looking for a hostel <35 CHF per night. The hikes are the most important. Awesome scenery required- sheer rock face, plunging gorges, a waterfall would be ideal. Looking for a relaxing time before starting work. Kind of meditative hikes.
Know what I mean?
And I'll be in Gex, France for a year so I'm not looking for a "must-see" touristy place. Something unique, quiet, off-the-beaten path- but absolutely breathtaking.
I'm a pretty experienced hiker, so anything short of climbing Eiger is okay by me :)
Great ideas! Keep 'em coming, though. I like options ;)
Also- anyone know a good website that actually details or has maps of hikes?
Peace.
That Gstaad thing, could be your thing. Another option could be Hiking in the Valais or in the Jura Mountains.
Since you'll be in Gex, climbing in the Jura is also excellent. The best part of climbing in the Jura (I was recently at a lodge just below the Col de la Faucille) is that the views of the Alps, Geneva and the lake are absolutely breathtaking from that perspective. Of course, seeing the Mont Blanc just across the way absolutely makes you ache to rush there as soon as possible.
Since I'll be living in Gex for a year I'll have plenty of weekends for the Jura. I'm liking the Grindelwald to Giessbach idea so far. And that Faulhorn lodge seems like a dream.
Know anything about the Valais region?
I posted this last month...
but you may want to modify, as it was for someone staying in Wengen:
this is one of my favorite areas in the World. I cannot find a description of the actual hike that I've done a number of times over the years... but... you can see part of the hike on the website below... and suggestions for other hikes in the area.
My hike goes from Wengen to Trummelback Falls... and is marked as a "dotted line" or more difficult hike... but it's not really very hard... I've done it in Birkenstocks and in Cycling shoes. It proivides you with stunning views of the mountains... and traverses the edge of a cliffline... crosses the drainage of the Monch and Juangfrau over a small wooden bridge... and then descends through the forest and down a cliff-face trail (one short section has wire cables bolted into the rock to hold onto)... down into the Lauterbrunen Valley.
You can take one of several trails out of Wengen (or start from the Grindelwald/Alpiglen side) and headed to Wengernalp. If you take a trail up to Wengernalp... then you will descend again in the direction of Trummelback Falls...you could also take a more direct lower route and not get up to Wengernalp. If you look at... click here ... the trail is the "dotted line" just to the left of Wengernalp and the "1660" elevation... that runs from Schiltroald to Trummelbach. The trail will take you about 4 hours to the Valley.
You could then choose to take the cable car up to Gimmelwald and Murren... or visit Trummelbach falls and see the waterfalls inside the caves (very touristy... but cool!)... and then you'll have to hike back r take the bus to Lauterbrunen to get the train back up to Wengen.
to add to that... one time when I did the hike... I overnighted in Gimmelwald... and continued the next day over the pass at Sefinenfurgge... and on to Griesalp and Kiental.
absolutely spectacular... in good weather.
email me if you'd like more info or scans of route or descriptions.
I have both the map and route guides by Kummerly + Frey
hmmm... better maps...
click here
click West twice... and South once... and it's the black trail of "dashes"...
that goes from Wasserstation to Trummelbach...
zoom out a couple... and you'll see the trail (West) from Murren, around the Schilthorn and on to Griesalp and down to Kiental.
I think the 2 sections are what you're looking for....
with a popular (busy) hostel at Gimmelwald (just below Murren).
enjoy!
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