Starting at 5.30 in the morning, I cycle to the train station to take a 3 hour train ride to Brienz. The weather is cloudy and promises reprieve from the heat wave currently holding Europe in its grip.
Down at lake Brienz there’s still blue sky visible but the clouds are drawing in quickly as I hike up 1700 meters over 9 km to the Rothorn.
The trail winds up near the Rothorn cog railway and the trains rattle through loudly at regular intervals. On the way up I pass a herd of goats and some cows as well as a falcon. A bit later, I see a few ibex are relaxing by the trail.
From the top of the Rothorn, I turn south-west and begin the long hike towards Interlaken. With clear skies, this would be accompanied by beautiful view on the massive mountain range of Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau to the south, but for me it’s mostly sort glimpses of the ridge that I follow step by step. It’s another 15 km with over 1000 meters ascent and after the hike up my legs are already a little heavy. The trail isn’t marked much during the first 5-8 kilometres, but the ridge makes the trail easy to follow. Hard, steep climbs are followed by equally steep descents. I’m going too slow and shortly after the Augustmatthorn, about two thirds down the trail, I decide to hike down to the lake and try to reach my train.
This way, I pass on the last part, the actual Hardergrat that’s also marked well and probably the easiest section of the hike.
However, I plan to come back to this hike, perhaps without the ascent to be fitter on the ridge.
After 34 km distance and 3100 meters ascent I arrive in Interlaken. I’m too late for my train and catch the last train out back home.