Switzerland - Valais

Brig
Wed 7 May 2014
The morning was misty and wet but we were keen to make a move and head down valley, fully loaded for the first time. After a final brutal clash with the low ceiling beams, Denis's head was patched up again and, after the inevitable gloating from Beth & Marianne that "there are some advantages to being short", we gathered our gear and braved the rain and the wet roads.

The traffic was light and we enjoyed the downhill runs, albeit a little cautiously as we reacquainted ourselves with our steeds. Riding with at least several car length separation was prudent to allow overtaking cars and trucks to slot in between us as there were few long overtaking opportunities for them.

Heading Down Valley

Headbanger	Travelling light

(click on image to enlarge in a new window)

A few kilometres out of Brig we deviated on to a dedicated bike path (part of the Rhone Route) and cycled into the old town with its many lovely buildings, squares and narrow cobblestones roads. We cycled around, visiting the famous 17th century Castle Kaspar Stockalper with its magnificent towers and gardens. All around the high mountains reared above us.

The Tourist Office directed us to a suitable hotel (with secure bike storage) and after a short trip to the local bike shop for some minor adjustments to Beth's bike, we were pleased to find our rooms had glorious views and unthreatheningly high ceilings measuring at least 1.5 Denises (our new standard of measurement).

Brig

(click on image to enlarge in a new window)

Brig
Thu 8 May 2014
The promise of a glorious sunny day and the close proximity of Zermatt with the Matterhorn and Gornergrat was just too tempting and so we left our bikes locked up and took an early train on the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn (MGB) up the steep side valley to Zermatt. The deep plunging gorge, fast flowing mountain streams, dramatic waterfalls, all against a backdrop of high snow covered peaks along the way was just magic.

After wandering around the town (only slowly getting cranked-up for summer with many hotels and restaurants still closed) we took the Gornergrat Bahn to about midway up the mountain, from where we had been told we could walk a section from Riffelalp to Riffelberg. The rest of the way was still snow covered. In the warm sunshine, with little wind, we soon worked up a sweat on the steep climb but the views were more than adequate compensation. The Matterhorn dominates the landscape with its iconic form.

We took a a break for a picnic lunch at Riffelberg station before rejoining the train for the final leg up to the summit. The 360 degree panorama of high peaks was simply stunning.

After enjoying the views and the antics of a lively group of young Japanese tourists we took the train back down the mountain, savouring our last views of the Matterhorn in the superb afternoon light. Switching to the MGB we struggled to stay awake after so much fresh air, sunshine and exercise, and so many stunning impressions. A fantastic day and a fitting way to remember Marianne & David's 37th wedding anniversary.

Side Trip to Zermatt

(click on image to enlarge in a new window)

Gornergrat

(click on image to enlarge in a new window)


Sion
Fri 9 May 2014     Cumulative Distance 117km
After a substantial breakfast we retrieved our bikes from their safe storage and loaded the panniers just outside the hotel main entrance, much to the amusement of some of the locals or other hotel residents. One woman remarked that she was amazed how much luggage we could hang off our bikes - sometimes so are we.

We backtracked through the old town and crossed the river to rejoin the Rhone Route heading westward. The going was easy and aside from a couple of occasions where we temporarily lost our way (missing signs were the culprits, not our navigation) we made good progress. After an enjoyable mid-morning coffee break in the sunshine (black tea with real milk please for Beth) we continued on to Leuk, arriving a few minutes after 12 noon to discover all the supermarkets had just closed for their 90 minute lunch break - aaahhh!!! Fortunately there was a bakery just down the road that remained open and, after checking out what they had on offer, we were all quietly pleased that we hadn't been able to procure the makings of a picnic lunch!

In the afternoon the winds picked up (head wind of course) and by the time we reached Sion we had had enough and headed for a highly recommended camp ground a little outside the town. We opted for a tent cabin with two 'rooms', each with twin beds, as the cabin also had a basic kitchen (cooker, fridge and associated pots, pans, crockery and cutlery) so we could make hot drinks and cook a meal if we wanted.

Once the sun dipped below the mountains the temperature dropped and we made ourselves comfortable in our canvas home for the night.

 

(click on image to enlarge in a new window)

For more photos of Valais click on the Picasa link on the right side of the webpage.