Walking in Europe

A blog of Angus and Alison's walking tour of the Tour de Mont Blanc, Via degli Dei the Dobratsch Circuit in Carinthia, Austria, the Dolomites, Venice, and Iceland

Writing tonight from a lovely roadside and trail side campsite at Col de la Forclaz. Basically on the lawn of a lovely mountain hotel where we have booked “half board” (dinner tonight, breakfast in the morning, hot showers). But first a mea culpa… 😀… yesterday we started from La Fouly by taking a bus! The first 10 kms were along the road so we hopped a bus! So pooped from the previous day we decided to reserve our legs for the steep climb where the trail leaves the road at Issert. Glad we did because the climb up to Champex-Lac was steep and continuous! It did make for a short day so we were able to get in to our campsite at Champex earlier than normal meaning we could have an afternoon nap! 😴

Today, August 1st we turned West and had a lovely morning start along a nice wide forest trail that gradually ramped up to a full-on mountain “steep switchback track” up up to Col de Bovine (1987m) and then down down to the Col de la Forclaz. About 30 kms total the last two days mainly through beautiful Larch/Spruce forests and high mountain pastures.

Starting from La Fouly
Up up from Issert
Along the lakefront at Champex Lac
Packing up this morning
Morning warm up before the climb
Through the woods
Snow still melting!
Up above treeline
Trail marker and a bit of Canada on Ali’s walking poles
Lunch spot in a high meadow with a local tour guide taking her break too ❤️
Steep descent to Col de la Forclaz. Knees!
Tonight’s campsite. Happy!
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3 responses to “Two days in the steep Swiss woods: La Fouly to Col de la Forclaz”

  1. beautifulclearly2a6d331239 Avatar
    beautifulclearly2a6d331239

    You mention knees. How are your wrists from using the poles?

    Pictures are breathtaking! xo

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  2. angus.r.graeme Avatar

    Wrists are great! The poles are a big help going up and coming down. Steadier feet! 🥾

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  3. automaticnight6ba3034f49 Avatar
    automaticnight6ba3034f49

    Such great sights! Love the picture of your lunch companion. I hope you have caught your breath after a few grueling days and are enjoying the mountain air. xo

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