Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

🏔️ Blauherd to Sunnegga – A Scenic Day on Zermatt’s 5 Lakes and Gourmet Trail

Our day from Blauherd to Sunnegga perfectly blended alpine beauty, adventure, and a touch of Swiss unpredictability. We began on the Crystal Trail, hiking through shifting fog to reach Stellisee, where the clouds briefly lifted to reveal a fleeting but magical Matterhorn reflection before rolling back in. From there, we climbed to Fluhalp, a cozy alpine hut perched above the lake and admired the Matterhorn half-veiled in clouds. We then swapped hiking boots for mountain carts, racing down from Blauherd to Sunnegga in a fast, winding run that felt straight out of Mario Kart. From there, we followed the Gourmet Trail to Chez Vrony for a scenic lunch in furry recliners overlooking alpine meadows and chalets, with the Matterhorn playing hide-and-seek in the clouds. The afternoon brought light rain as we continued along the 5-Lakes Trail, passing Grindjisee, GrĂĽnsee, Moosjisee, and Leisee, where mist softened the turquoise waters and wildflowers shimmered with raindrops. We ended the day with kickbikes from Sunnegga to Zermatt, gliding through forest trails toward the valley. Even with the drizzle, it was a day of lakes, laughter, and unforgettable alpine charm.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

🌊 Zermatt, Switzerland – Exploring Gorner Gorge and Blatten

After days of sunshine in Lauterbrunnen, we woke to steady rain and traded sweeping alpine views for a cozy travel day on one of Switzerland’s most scenic rail routes. The ride from Lauterbrunnen to Zermatt wound through misty valleys, rushing rivers, and mountain passes that felt straight out of a storybook – proof that even in the rain, Switzerland knows how to put on a show. Once in Zermatt, we settled into Hotel Parnass along the river and set out to explore the Gorner Gorge, where wooden walkways cling to the cliffs above roaring turquoise water that’s even more dramatic after rainfall. From there, the trail continued through the fairytale hamlet of Blatten, filled with centuries-old mazots and alpine chapels, before looping back toward town along the fragrant Ricola Herb Garden path. We ended the day warm and dry, savoring fondue at Saycheese!, surrounded by alpine charm and the promise of clearer skies ahead.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

💦 Where Waterfalls Meet Wanderlust – Swiss Adventure Based in Lauterbrunnen

Lauterbrunnen is the heart of Switzerland’s storybook scenery – a narrow U-shaped valley flanked by sheer cliffs and dotted with 72 waterfalls, alpine chalets, and cow-dotted meadows that inspired Tolkien’s Rivendell. The village itself is small but perfectly positioned between Mürren, Wengen, and Grindelwald, making it an ideal base for exploring the Jungfrau region and beyond. From here, we set out on some of our favorite adventures – hiking from Männlichen to Kleine Scheidegg via the Panorama Trail and the Eiger Trail, tackling the ridge hike from Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First, riding the gondola to Oeschinensee for the lake loop and mountain toboggan, and ending with a ferry ride across Lake Thun. The charming main street is lined with cafés, shops, and the phenomenal Hotel Oberland Restaurant, while chalets like our Nussbaumerhaus 3 Airbnb offer cozy kitchens and patios overlooking the valley. Whether chasing alpine peaks or unwinding beneath waterfalls, Lauterbrunnen is the perfect mix of adventure and tranquility.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

🌊 Oeschinensee to Thun – Swiss Lake Splendor

Our final day in Berner Oberland brought a mix of sunshine, clouds, and the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation. We took the train to Kandersteg, rode the gondola up to Oeschinensee, and started the morning with an exhilarating run on the mountain toboggan before setting out on the Lake Oeschinen Loop. This high-alpine hike wound past waterfalls, cliffs, and wildflower meadows with nonstop views of the glacier-fed turquoise lake below. The terrain was steep and rocky in places, but the scenery was nothing short of spectacular. Along the way, we shared the trail with a few curious cows, including one that tried to steal my lunch right off the beach near the lakeshore. As clouds rolled in, we swapped mountain vistas for lakeside charm, visiting Spiez Castle, taking the Lake Thun ferry, and watching local surfers ride the standing river wave in Thun.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

Schynige Platte to Grindelwald First: Switzerland’s Ultimate Ridge Hike via Faulhorn & Bachalpsee

On a vacation packed with epic hikes, this one easily ranks among our all-time favorites. After boarding the historic cogwheel train to Schynige Platte, we set out on our first and only ridge hike, with Interlaken and Lakes Thun and Brienz stretching out on one side and Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau towering on the other. The panoramic views alone put this trail in the “best hike we’ve ever done” category. We climbed past the Faulhorn summit and the stunning Bachalpsee, ending at Grindelwald First, where adventure continued with the cliff walk, Trottibike ride down the mountain, and a well-earned fondue dinner inside a gondola in Grindelwald.

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St. Louis, Travel

🎼 Powell Hall: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra Brings Magic to Life

Powell Hall isn’t just a concert venue – it’s where history and harmony hit all the right notes. Originally opened in 1925 as the St. Louis Theatre, this French Renaissance beauty has been lovingly restored to blend old-world glamour with modern rhythm. The chandeliers shimmer a little brighter, the acoustics sing a little clearer, and the vibe? Pure symphonic magic. Whether you’re there for Harry Potter, LOTR, or a soul-stirring John Williams symphony, Powell Hall strikes the perfect chord – proving that some classics only get better with time.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

đź‘‘ Switzerland – Männlichen Royal Walk to Kleine Scheidegg via Panorama Trail + Eiger Trail + Wengen

Sweeping alpine panoramas and a herd of cows that literally joined us on the trail set the stage for one of the most unforgettable hikes of our Switzerland adventure. We started the day by checking out of our beloved hotel in Mürren and moving into a chalet on the valley floor in Lauterbrunnen, before riding the train up the opposite rim to Wengen and the cable car to Männlichen. From there, we climbed to the summit on the Royal Walk, then continued along the Panorama Trail with the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau filling the horizon while cowbells jingled at our side. After a scenic lunch at Restaurant Eigernordwand in Kleine Scheidegg, the challenge ramped up with a climb to Eigergletscher on the Jungfrau Eiger Walk past the sparkling Fallbodensee. Then we tackled the Eiger Trail, a rugged cliffside descent that delivered views of the sheer Eiger North Face. We wrapped up with some time in Wengen – the Mürren equivalent on the eastern rim – before returning to Lauterbrunnen.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

🏔️ Where Cliffs Touch the Clouds – Swiss Thrills Based in Mürren

MĂĽrren is a car-free alpine village perched high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and reached only by cable car and mountain railway. For four nights on our 2025 trip, we marveled at MĂĽrren’s unreal beauty with a balcony at Hotel Alpina that opened straight onto the silhouettes of the big three – Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. With its flower-lined chalets, quiet lanes, and views that stop you in your tracks, it set the stage for some of our most unforgettable adventures – tackling the thrilling via ferrata to Gimmelwald, soaring on a paraglider from Birg, hiking the Northface Trail, and riding up to the legendary Schilthorn.

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Europe, Filming Location, Switzerland, Travel

🪂 Above the Swiss Alps – Schilthorn Piz Gloria, Birg Thrill Walk & Paragliding Lauterbrunnen Valley

Our last day in Mürren was all about thrills worthy of a James Bond film. We began by ascending to the legendary Schilthorn, where the revolving Piz Gloria restaurant served a panoramic breakfast buffet with views of more than 200 alpine peaks. This mountaintop, made famous in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, paired cinematic history with jaw-dropping scenery. On the way down, we tested our nerves on the Birg Thrill Walk, inching across glass panels, steel nets, and a tightrope suspended high above the valley floor. But nothing compared to the afternoon’s highlight – paragliding from Birg to Stechelberg over the Lauterbrunnen Valley. Taking off at nearly 8,200 feet and descending over the course of a 20-minute flight, we soared past waterfalls, cliffs, and alpine villages.

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Europe, Hiking, Switzerland, Travel

🧗 From Cliffs to Chalets: Mürren to Gimmelwald on Switzerland’s Most Thrilling Via Ferrata

Dangling off sheer cliffs high above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, the Mürren Via Ferrata (Italian for “iron way”) is one of the most thrilling adventures we’ve ever done. This 1.4-mile route links Mürren with storybook Gimmelwald, following a path of iron rungs, ladders, and exposed cliff walks nearly 2,000 feet above the valley floor. Along the way you’ll cross a tightrope, zip line, and suspension bridge, all while clipped into steel cables that keep you safe should you slip. The journey finished in the tiny, flower-decked village of Gimmelwald, where we enjoyed lunch at Pension Gimmelwald, before browsing honesty shops for souvenirs and cheese. Whether you’re chasing an adrenaline rush or the charm of an alpine hamlet, the Mürren Via Ferrata to Gimmelwald delivers both in unforgettable fashion.

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