day hiking in Switzerland
Jun 19th, 2006, 10:08 AM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,326
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi again,
okoshi2002, I wonder if you're confusing a funicular with a cable car? A funicular is just a train (on special tracks) that runs up a very steep incline. It's neat but not really that special.
A cable car, of course, is where you're in a small metal case, dangling by a thread over a huge gorge or monstruous valley thousands of meters below you : )))
Lots of cable cars in the area --
s
okoshi2002, I wonder if you're confusing a funicular with a cable car? A funicular is just a train (on special tracks) that runs up a very steep incline. It's neat but not really that special.
A cable car, of course, is where you're in a small metal case, dangling by a thread over a huge gorge or monstruous valley thousands of meters below you : )))
Lots of cable cars in the area --
s
Jun 19th, 2006, 11:17 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Actually, a funicular is a "cable car" on tracks and wheels (Standseilbahn in German)---the cable pulls it up a very steep incline. The cable connects two cars, one going up, one going down, so there is no danger of either one slipping back (unless the cable breaks!)
I found a whole website for afficionados of funiculars:
http://www.funimag.com/suisse/Funimag-Suisse.htm
but it appears a little out of date because the one up to Mürren is still listed.
The Allmendhubel funicular going up from Mürren is still running; that is probably the closest one for okoshi.
But if it is old-fashioned and scenic railways you seek, there are also the cogwheel (rack and pinion) railways. A nice one nearby goes from Wilderswil up to Schynige Platte, for beautiful views back to the lakes and out the the peaks in the area.
http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/pho...tte-train.html
There is a famous Alpine garden up there, and hiking trails, including a very long one all the way back to the First gondola above Grindelwald. (One can of course walk this partway and return back to the train). However, this is a very popular excursion with tour groups, and the train can be very crowded!
I found a whole website for afficionados of funiculars:
http://www.funimag.com/suisse/Funimag-Suisse.htm
but it appears a little out of date because the one up to Mürren is still listed.
The Allmendhubel funicular going up from Mürren is still running; that is probably the closest one for okoshi.
But if it is old-fashioned and scenic railways you seek, there are also the cogwheel (rack and pinion) railways. A nice one nearby goes from Wilderswil up to Schynige Platte, for beautiful views back to the lakes and out the the peaks in the area.
http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/pho...tte-train.html
There is a famous Alpine garden up there, and hiking trails, including a very long one all the way back to the First gondola above Grindelwald. (One can of course walk this partway and return back to the train). However, this is a very popular excursion with tour groups, and the train can be very crowded!
Jun 19th, 2006, 11:51 AM
#23
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Okoshi---there are two apartments on the website that bobdownunder mentioned; I don't which they had but you can see them both here:
http://www.holiday-rentals.com/Murre...fa/find.squery
Like most "by owner" rental apartments, they are only available by the week (so they won't do for us, but they might for you).
http://www.holiday-rentals.com/Murre...fa/find.squery
Like most "by owner" rental apartments, they are only available by the week (so they won't do for us, but they might for you).
Jun 19th, 2006, 12:07 PM
#25
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,518
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks, kappa---I knew it would be open "sometime" before next summer, and was too lazy to Google and find out exactly when. But it certainly makes sense they would have it up and running for the next ski season. I wonder if the tourist facilities in Mürren are suffering a bit this summer?
