Hiking the Berner Oberland

A few weeks ago a friend came to stay with D and I. There's nothing like hosting a traveller to make you get out there and see your home from a tourist's perspective. No matter where you are in Switzerland, the views of the mountains never, ever get old, but getting up there and exploring them from above is a different experience entirely. So, we took advantage of those coupons they were handing out at Coop and brought Carson up to Schynige Platte. Although there's a trail to the top, we opted for the 50-minute train ride. The carriages and cog system came straight out of the 19th century! We lucked out with the weather - it was the first really, truly beautifully warm day in Switzerland and we definitely weren't the only ones who thought a hike sounded appealing. We loaded up our backpacks with goodies, threw on hiking shoes, slathered on sunscreen and headed up! As with most mountain-top destinations, there was a nice restaurant with a stunning view, but we brought our own lunch...that's the best way to go because then you can plop wherever and munch on Swiss cheese, chocolate and Zöpfe and wash it all down with refreshing Rivella (rot, of course!).

SAM'S NEVER-FAIL HIKING MUNCHIES CHECKLIST

cheese, at least two kinds

bread, preferably one you can tear easily

chocolate, duh

salami

cervelat

apples

chips

water

rivella

ricola

We opted for the "Panoramaweg" trail which took us in a big loop with views of the ever-present peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, as well as a bird's-eye view of Interlaken, flanked by the Thunersee (Lake Thun) and the Brienzersee (Lake Brienz). It was early in the season so the Alp flowers weren't in full bloom but there were a few that had opened their petals and these small pricks of colour dotted the green pastures.

Oh, if only I could yodel..

As a writer, I am a lover of words and descriptions. But the views from the top are nearly indescribable (thank god for cameras!) and I feel as though I'm almost at a loss for words...almost. I'll let the pictures do the talking here: