July 22 – Another Mountain Hike, Lucerne & Swim

It was an early morning today as we wanted to get a quick start on a planned hike. While researching things to do in Switzerland, the Stoos Ridge Hike came up in multiple places. Seeing videos of this hike we knew we wanted to attempt it. To get to this trailhead of the hike we needed to take a the worlds steepest funicular followed by a 15 minute hike up to the chairlift in Klinginstock to start the hike.

Even though the hike is only 4.5ish km long, it still took us 2.5 hours to complete due to the elevation changes. When you follow the ridge of a mountain, you are at the will of it as to where you have to go. The last km or so was pretty much straight uphill with rocky ground making it very slow to go. But we all made it up there, even got to pet a cow and play with some goats!

Having a quick meal at the top it was time to take a chairlift back down to Stoos and then the funicular back to the start.

After this we headed into Lucerne to explore around the city. First stop was Chapel Bridge. The paintings were fantastic and seeing the burnt wood from previous fires was heartbreaking. Getting to the other side of the river, we headed towards the controversial Lion Monument. Even with the controversy, it was an impressive monument.

After strolling around a bit just looking at shops, etc (love the pedestrian only streets), we headed back to the beach on Lake Lucerne from last night for a swim. Three of us got changed and headed in for a quick dip. It seemed colder than the night before but I am sure it was just because we went in farther than our knees.

Sitting on the grass drying off, I quickly realized that Europeans had no issue in getting changed right there on the beach…🤭

Then it was an early night to get ready for one more mountain adventure tomorrow…Mount Pilatus.

Steps today 24,078