Trachsellauenen from Stechelberg

Although I managed to fit in a few very pleasant walks while I was in England in July, it’s been a long time since I’ve done what I’d call a proper hike. The main reason has been the heat: exerting myself when it’s already difficult just to be outside isn’t my idea of fun. Today, though, the temperatures were only in the mid-twenties and there was a pleasantly cool breeze. After putting some effort into training at the gym recently, I wanted to take the opportunity to see how my fitness was coming along. I considered a few different places, but rather than deliberately choosing a steep and challenging route, I decided to head to the far end of the Lauterbrunnen valley. There are paths leading up from the little village of Stechelberg which you can follow for as far as you feel like. For the exceptionally fit, the routes continue high into the mountains, but there are also a couple of mountain guest houses at more realistic distances. As I only had the afternoon available, I knew I…