In case anybody ever planning a hiking holyday in Switzerland (with or without dogs), I'll be placing some -*test*-('")ed and dog-friendly walks from time to time. Or you might just enjoy some virtual hiking, without the sweating and puffing!

I'll start with a walk to the Iffighore, a grassy mountain reaching 2378 m offering some great views all around. It is approached through the Simmental valley, famous for its cattle and old, elaborately carved and painted wooden houses.


At the end of the valley, there follows an exciting bus ride allowing glimpses of sheer drops and a large waterfall - we'll get there on the way back. Walking starts at the Iffigenalp at 1584 m. After a few steps there is a first view of the route ahead:

The path will wind up the grassy cone in the middle of the picture.

There seems to be a face looking out of the limestone cliffs on the right:


A closer view of that grassy slope - it is quite steep in parts and had me puffing a lot:


500 m higher than the start of the walk, the path goes through a rocky defile and emerges above the intensly blue Iffigsee.

Although the path is high up, the shoreline is accessible in several places - a fact much appreciated by a panting dog!

The path goes to the other end of the lake....,


....then turns right and starts climbing again, now much closer to several peaks surrounding the lake:


There is a good chance of spotting some marmots (no, even Springers won't get them!), otherwise the final ascent to the unremarkable summit is a bit tedious.

But this is the reward: stunning views all around!

Now for part 2 of the walk:

Not ibex or chamois, just sheep - they left their visiting cards all over the flat summit area.



Descending on the other side, there is a spectacular last view of the Iffigsee far below.


This is limestone country; the ground is riddled with holes and cavities, and streams tend to disappear underground.


As we are now on top of the limestone cliff viewed at the start, we can see the path we followed up from above - it doesn't look half as steep as it really is!


Trying to capture the incredible colour of the blue gentian - it can't be done!


Reaching the treeline again.


There is an option of returning to the Iffigenalp, as a good path goes down the cliff. We took another way, heading down to a side valley through a moory section stocked with alpine roses.


At last! After a long descent, the footpath beside the road is reached, offering the best views of the Iffigfall.


It's only in the afternoon that the sun can touch the waterfall, forming a rainbow in the spray.


A last view of the falls - the car is not far away.



Hope you've enjoyed the description. I'll be putting some pictures of Rhian on this walk in the photo section and link it.

I used to like you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm jealous, the pictures are so beautiful, is it local to you? You are so lucky.

Sue

WOW....just WOW

Wow, that is amazing!!!

wowser, I do love Switzerland. Will dig out some of the pcis from when we went, unfortunately without dog though.

Right I'm inspired, about time we brought the scouts out there again!

**Wanders off mumbling about organising a leaders meeting**

I guess I'd call it local, as I can go there on a daytrip without setting off at 5 AM. Took me about 1h 40 min to drive there, then 20 min for the bus ride. I can get to most valley bases in the Bernese Alps fairly easily.

Here's how Rhian was doing on that walk: Linky thing

Just fabulous I've been to the French Alps, but I reckon the Swiss ones take top prize

Lets go to Switzerland

switzerland is so beautiful - i would love to take the dogs - it's only fourteen hours by car to Verbier for us we've driven it a few times, with bikes, not dog in tow though