Swiss Alpine Beauty

Took a Sunday hike this weekend. Just like stepping into the world of The Sound of Music. The great beauty of Switzerland just knocks the breath out of you over and over again. Nature is at it's best displaying it's most vibrant green shades.

We drove about 45 minutes outside of Basel where we ended up taking a small and narrow road that led us higher and higher up the mountain and in among the deep forest. We parked the car at a suitable location and started our hike further up the mountain. Every step and all the effort climbing uphill was vastly rewarded by these views.

We felt very Swiss. This is exactly what the Swiss do on a Sunday - take a hike somewhere on some mountain. The nature is so gorgeous and it just feels so right in so many ways. What an excellent way to spend a sunny afternoon. Small unpaved paths among the greenest hills, blue skies and plenty of pretty flowers blooming. It just does not get much prettier than this. 

This is one of the advantages of everything being closed on Sundays. It makes you spend more time out doors since there is now where else to go. Which is a very good thing. 

Passed a barn and came to this little road stand where various refreshments were sold. You could buy some fruit juice or a simple paper cup of apple juice. Various jams where also sold. You take what you want and leave your payment in a small box. 

The loveliest season and one of the most beautiful periods is right now in the alps when so much is in full bloom. The medows are covered in pretty flowers of all kinds of colors. No problem at all finding seven different kinds of flowers to place under your pillow as the tradition goes for Swedish midsummer.

Came upon this adventure park. Looked pretty difficult and tricky. A path had to be followed and you had to over come various challenges among the tree tops such as this one where you had to use both balance and strength to move from one hanging block to the next. Of course you have to pay a fee and get the correct introduction, getting strapped into the gear and so on. We skipped this and walked a long instead.

We sat down and had a short rest in one of the blooming hills. I had packed a simple lite snack for us with some apples and a small sandwich.

A nice touch is that there are water fountains like this one where you can have a sip of water or refill your water bottle. 

 All hikes prepared all according to Swiss style. Each trail being carefully marked and signs like this one pointing out in a clear way where you are heading as well as the walking distance in minutes. The time it takes to walk each part are all very correct.

Another interesting thing are all the various animals you encounter on a hike. On our way we passed by cows, horses and sheep gracing the hills peacefully. We also passed by some Alpacas. Not so common in Switzerland but they had some here.

 Is this not stunningly beautiful? The air is fresh, the skies are blue, it is all so lush and green now. In the far distance further away in the horizon you can actually spot the snow capped Alps. It does make you feel a bit like Julie Andrews in the Sound of Music. You almost expect to pass the Family von Trapp picknicking among these hills or come across Hedi and here grandfather. 

If you look carefully into the horizon of this picture you can actually see the snow covered alp peaks just below the clouds. Is that not just the coolest thing? This is what makes me love living in Switzerland among other things - on the same weekend you can go to Alscace and enjoy tasting of Reisling wines and the next day take a hike and enjoy the most beautiful day out in nature like this.