Interlaken - Grindelwald Hikes

Given I don't start work for another week and many people are on holiday since it seems no one works in August in Europe, I decided to head to Interlaken on Friday morning after dinner with the Baleskys on Thursday.

Friday mid-morning, I took my first boat in Geneva across the mouth of Lake Geneva from the Eaux Vives to the Paquis bank and got on a train around noon for the 3 hours until arriving at Interlaken.

I booked a hostel from my train and upon arriving in Interlaken I checked and and booked a spot to go hang gliding in the last spot for the day.  Definitely glad I tried as it was not quite as violent as skydiving and relatively peaceful without the extreme speeds of skiing or mountain biking.  The takeoff was relatively easy given you're tandem and only have to run and keep up with the leader and then eventually the glider 'lifts' you.  Landing was interesting as you essentially glide into a field on your stomache and hope it is flat with no debris.  I'm glad I tried it as I haven't see it available in very many locations and I felt relatively safe as well.  Interlaken is an interesting city as the city centre is a large field where people hang glide and para glide on to all day and its pretty well organized for these type of sports.  It reminds me of Hood River given the array of extreme sports offered in the city.

Next morning I woke up relatively early to take a train to Grindelwald (like Harry Potter), which was essentially a ski town where many of the hikes of the Jungfrau region begin.  The hostel receptionist recommended a 4 hour trek; however, I decided to evaluate how I felt as there was a 6 hour loop that I was interested in and was advised not to try given the heat.  I did the 6 hour loop in 5 hours!  Very pretty hike through the mountains and by a mountain lake with some snow and good views of the  snowy Jungfrau range and the Interlaken between the two lakes (Hike Title/Direction - First - Bachalpsee - Faulhorn - Mannedlenen - Laucherhorn - Oberberghorn - Panoramaweg - Schynige Platte - 11.5 Miles).  

All in all a great first trip in Switzerland!  If I make it to Interlaken again, I would like to try the Klettersteig or Eigergletscher hikes that are shorter and more difficult and also Canyoning.