Sept. 24; Brienz-Rothorn Train
We spent the day taking the scenic train from Brienz up to the top of the mountain Rothorn-Kulm, taking in the views and riding and hiking back down.
The steam engine.
Passing the houses of Brienz.
A glimpse of Brienz Lake and the town through a gap in the rocks.
A cottage on the slopes above Planalp, the halfway point.
Above treeline, cowherd homes. The cows have been moved down to the valleys already.
Looking down towards Lake Brienz.
What a ride!
Panoramic view from the top, restaurant and hotel in the center.
No I won't take another step back for the picture!
The clouds started rolling in, time to head down.
We passed the train coming up the mountain.
A waterfall at Planalp, the tiny village at the halfway stop where the engine takes on water for the boiler.
We disembarked from the train at Planalp and looked for the restaurant. The Berghaus and Bergrestaurant is a hotel that has been catering to tourists since the late 1800’s. The food was excellent, the fire in the woodstove was warm and we had wonderful views down the slopes.
Pumpkin soup.
Cheese, meat and fruit plate.
After lunch we decided to hike down the rest of the way to Brienz and admire the fall colors.
The road followed the train tracks and soon a train was chugging out of the tunnel.
Some sections were steep trails.
We got down into Brienz as a light rain started to fall. I saw this sculpture in a doorway. Brienz is known for its woodworking artisans.
A delicious fish dinner was served at the B&B.
The dining room was decorated with horsey paraphernalia and these cow bells which decorate many of the houses in the area.