Middle-aged flash packers

It was a much hotter day today and the steep walk up the hill from Steg to the Sucka hut felt like hard work. Even harder for the little “kinders” who were being led reluctantly in the same direction by their teachers.

They split off from us at the road leading to the hut which was good as I didn’t really fancy following moaning children all the way round.

The downside was that our pathway was blocked by marauding cows and their calves. We immediately started hot footing it up the side of the hill to escape them when the farmer started gesticulating to us to come back. I thought he was cross with us, but he wanted to walk us through them which was so kind. We’ve found the Liechtenstein people to be very nice – helpful and jolly.

After the cows, the trail was easy to follow and we meandered up through woodland which was a relief as it was shady. We stopped briefly at an unoccupied hut which when I peered through the window had a bottle of vodka and shot glasses all lined up,waiting for the next person who used it. What a welcome!

The trail continued through the woods until we reached the height where the trees got shorter and the grass longer. As yesterday, flowers were everywhere and were stunning.

We then had to climb a ridge along a very rough path which was really quite scary. At such times, I just watch my feet and avoid looking anywhere else.

After reaching the high point, we followed the path down which again was very rough and by the time we got 3/4 of the way to the end our legs were wobbly and we were starving. As we tucked into our (stolen) lunch, 4 people quite a bit older than us appeared out of nowhere. Their leader literally skipped down and then slid along a small snow field like a kid. Amazing but slightly galling.

The second half of the hike took us down a track and into a valley. We followed a fast flowing river which was beautiful but we were both very hot so just after walking past a very high waterfall, the sight of a mountain restaurant was like a mirage. Ice cold coke never tasted so good!

As we followed the river and got closer to Steg, we encountered more and more people enjoying a late afternoon walk and also some messing about in the river. We dipped our hands in it and cooled down our face and neck and it was bloody freezing!

We walked pretty much all day, finishing our walk about 5. It’s a long walk but definitely worth it if you are ever in this area.

Tomorrow we move on into Switzerland to visit the Trift suspension bridge, near Gadmen. I’m hoping we’ll be able to get on the cable car as it’s one helluva hike if we can’t. Our accommodation for the the night is in a place called Hasliberg in a renovated building that looks like the Munster’s house! 😱