Route: Adelboden to Lenk
Area: Bernese Oberland, Switzerland
Date of walk: 18th June 2019
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.3 miles
Ascent: 350 feet
Weather: Sunshine and blue skies, hot
After an overnight stay in Adelboden, the next stage of our journey in the Bernese Oberland (arranged by Inntravel) was to walk from Adelboden to Lenk via the Hahnenmoos Pass. Instead of climbing to the pass, which would have doubled the length of the walk, we went for the easy option, and took the cable car to Sillerenbühl. Without any physical effort on our part, and after about 20 minutes, we disembarked from the cable car at an altitude of 6,500 feet, about twice the height of England’s tallest mountain
The views from here were magnificent, and we continued to enjoy them as we climbed up and then descended the ridge leading to the Hahnenmoos Pass. From this point the remainder of the walk was downhill. We followed a series of tracks and paths, some steeper than others and most of them waymarked, in the direction of Leck. As we did so new views opened up, and those over the Simmental Valley were especially good
Lower down we passed through some pristine Alpine wild flower meadows, a wonderful sight. The meadows were alive with butterflies, though they were very skittish and proved to be hard to photograph
Eventually the village of Lenk came into view below and after descending for about 1 hour we arrived at our destination, Lenk. Here we checked into the Hotel Krone, which will be our base for tonight before we set off on the next stage of our holiday in the Bernese Oberland
It had been a fantastic walk. The weather gods were on our side, blessing us with clear air, sunshine, and impressive clouds which showed the spectacular scenery in its best light
Click on the icon below for the route map
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
We'd arrived in Adelboden last night, and although we were looking forward to our walk to Lenk it was a shame to be leaving this place without having the chance to explore it properly
We walk through the streets of Adelboden...
...and arrive at the base of the cable car
Off we go
A short while later, the start of the walk from Sillerenbühl - our initial target is the head of the Hahnenmoos Pass, in the centre of the picture
We follow an easy track along the ridge
A well placed bench...
Looking back - the distinctive peak in the centre bears the unpronounceable name of Tschingellochtighorn
A view across the valley to Gsür which stands at 8,800 feet
We continue along the ridge
Looking back
A few residual snowfields as we gain height
It's a thrill to see a golden eagle glide by...
A pair of well placed benches give us time to enjoy the wonderful view
It's still quite early in the walking season here, even though it's almost mid summer, and some of the higher paths remain closed. The few remaining snowfields on our route pose no problems
The Hahnenmoos Pass comes into view, middle right, and we descend towards it
Looking down into the valley to our left
Alpine flowers seen along the way, including crocus flowering in places where the snow had recently melted - in our garden this would be happening in February
Looking back along our path
The Hahnenmoos Pass below
We descend to the pass and turn right
A new vista reveals itself as we leave the head of the pass and start the descent to Lenk
Wildhorn standing proudly in the background, at a height of over 10,000 feet...
Gletscherhore on the left
Wildhorn again, on the right of the picture
Wonderful views across the mountain pastures as we continue the easy descent...
Looking right into the Simmental Valley...
...and now looking left into the upper part of the valley...
As we reach mid valley level, the wild flower meadows provide a wonderful spectacle...
Wild orchids...
Yellow rattle
Swallowtail butterfly
The upper Simmental Valley
Our destination, Lenk, comes into view below
We continue to descend through the meadows
Gatekeepers at the turnstile, but Swiss cattle are gentler than their English counterparts and we passed through without incident
Descending into Lenk
Alpine pastures on our left
A chalet with ornate carving which is typical of the region
We arrive in Lenk and check into the Hotel Krone
A spectacular sunset that evening, and the view to the head of the valley from the hotel (through a medium telephoto lens)
Mittaghorn
Gletscherhore and Laufbodehore
Mittaghorn again at the end of a wonderful day
