Читать книгу Walking in the Bernese Oberland. Over 100 walking routes онлайн

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Southwest of Engstlenalp runs the long, deep valley of the Gental – forested here and there, but with open meadows and tiny hamlets lining the narrow road that climbs through it. As you gaze along the valley, eyes are drawn to the big mountains of the Oberland where the Wetterhorn presents an unmistakable profile.

Postbuses go as far as Engstlenalp from Meiringen and Innertkirchen, and the car park there is often very busy in summer. From the alp there are three ways back to the Haslital; the particular route which follows is the shortest and easiest, but has some spectacular landscape features to enjoy.

From Hotel Engstlenalp cross the approach road and join a path which descends ahead among trees, keeping left of a stream which soon cuts a channel below. It’s an easy path to follow, in and out of woods with wild fruits in season and plenty of wild flowers too. There are open glades and rough pastures to cross, and at Point 1535m (on the map) you pass a tiny huddle of alp huts. The path continues without difficulty, crossing the occasional side stream and with the woods thinning to give more open views into the valley stretching ahead as it falls away in natural terraces, or steps, of pastureland.