Rosemary Kennedy | Article and Photos APPENZELL

BRIG

ZERMATT

LUCERNE

LOCARNO

As we age , the walking and hiking trails we used to explore in our younger years may present challenges . There ’ s often too much elevation gain over too few kilometres . In Switzerland , however , those problems are usually eliminated by using buses , trains , cable cars , and lifts .

About thirty years ago my mother and I spent three weeks travelling together when she was in her seventies , about the same age as I am now . She was quite fit and healthy but not great at climbing — no problem . While spending a week in Lucerne we took the train to Engelberg and then the gondola to the Trübsee , a lovely hanging lake about eight hundred metres above the town . We were greeted by the sound of cow bells as we took the level path around the lake . Later we took a chair lift to the Jochpass where abundant wildflowers such as vivid blue alpine gentians bloomed . Walking back down to the lake is not recommended for those with knee problems !

Trübsee near Engelberg , Lucerne area

Later we spent a week in Locarno on Lake Maggiore . Our small hotel overlooked the lake , and we dined outside under the spreading tree branches . As in many European countries , it ’ s usually best and most reasonable to stay in a B & B or small family-run hotel and take half board , usually a buffet breakfast and three-course dinner . One day we took the post bus to the Valle Verzasca . The bus bugled the first notes of the “ William Tell Overture ” as it careened around the many bends in the road ,

Stone houses , Sonogno , Valle Verzasca

sending people scurrying into doorways and cars to the minimal shoulder . We descended for our walk at Sonogno , the last village of stone houses . From there , trails led up into the mountains , but we took the path along the river that followed the valley bottom . Unique stone barns bordered the trail , and huge boulders littered the stream . Crossing the river to return to town , we noticed a beautifully kept graveyard with carvings of mountain climbers and

16 | arta . net DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE