Muggestutz Trail

Today was another beautiful day! We were up early to go hiking on the Muggestutz hiking trail. We had breakfast and then headed out. We took two trains and two cable cars to get to the start of the trail. On the way we went to the town of Meiringen, it was a nice town that seemed bustling with business. We walked from the train station to the cable car station, it was a 10 minute walk. At the station in Meiringen we bought our Muggestutz ticket which would take us up on the cable car to Magisalp, then we'd hike down to Bidmi and take the lift back to Meiringen. The ticket was 1/2 price with our Swiss Pass.

Cable car

We had great views from the cable cars these were small like gondolas, we had our own little car. When we got up to Magisalp there were tons of other families getting ready to hike the trail. The Muggestutz trail is for kids, it is themed based on a story about a dwarf who is said to have lived in the Hasliberg mountains. There are story books written about the Muggestutz. The trail is very popular with families.

Our view on the way up

The trail today was downhill which is nice in some ways but presents challenges in others. My mom doesn't like hiking downhill on gravel because she is scared that she is going to slip. About 5 minutes into the walk her foot slipped a bit and she thought maybe she should turn back and take the lift down. We convinced her she was overreacting and she continued on with us. The trail was very crowded at first, I worried it would be like this the whole way. We came to the first kids activity station and it was overrun with kids, we let the kids play for a minute and then continued on.

Starting out on the trail

Nice views

The trail

Happy kids

Crowded play area

As we hiked the group seemed to thin out some, I was definitely happier when we were more spread out. The second activity station we arrived at was one where the kids could use a saw to cut wood. There were two saws and a pile of wood. The kids had fun trying that out.

About an hour into the hike we came to a picnic area, it was very nice. There was a big pile of firewood, tables that were spread out, and firepits for cooking food. Many families had brought sausages to cook over the fires. We had packed sandwiches so we found a table and started eating. When we were done Connor was surprised to find there were no garbage cans. I told him you were expected to take your trash out with you. Now there were tons of families using the picnic spot, probably at least 100 people, and we did not see one single piece of litter. We actually haven't seen any litter anywhere in Switzerland. I think personal responsibility is taken very seriously here.

Picnic area

After lunch we continued on our way. The crowd definitely thinned out more after we ate. There were 5 or 6 stations where the kids could stop and play. The trail was steep and a bit challenging at some points. I know my mom was very happy when we got to the bottom. The kids did great hiking, the only issue was Connor was venturing a bit too far ahead and I was afraid we might lose him. The views were outstanding, I know I seem to say that about everyday but it really is true!

Fun wooden bridge

Cave play area

Apparently there were crystals in the nest

Ali on the trail, Connor is up ahead in the orange

A mountain drinking fountain

Fun maze for the kids

We were following the blue signs

Almost to the end

With about 30 minutes left in the hike Ali decided she needed a bathroom. I told her she'd have to wait until we got to the end, we went ahead of my parents at the end to get her to the lift station and the bathroom. Luckily she made it! We waited for my parents and then took the lift down from Bidmi. When we arrived at the station in Meiringen my kids spotted a fabulous playground, there was nobody playing so we went over. There was a really cool zip line swing which the kids loved! My parents left before we did because my mom wanted to stop in Brienz to look at at the shops. The kids wanted to play longer so I sat on the bench while they played. Eventually some other families arrived at the park. It was cute watching Ali show a little girl who only spoke French how to use the zip line swing. Ali also decided to do some gymnastics in the grass, two other girls went over and joined her. It was pretty cute watching them try to do what she was doing.

Ride down

Cool park in Meiringen

Fun zip swing at the park

Grandpa helping Ali on the swing

After about 45 minutes we headed to the train station. On our way we saw a bakery so we stopped and the kids chose a few things. They each got a meringue cookie that they ate on the train. Meringue was invented in Meiringen so it was fitting to get that kind of cookie.

Connor enjoying his cookie in the train

When we arrived in Brienz we saw my parents at the station, they got on the train but not in our car. We met up with them when we got to Interlaken. We got home late in the afternoon. I stopped at the store to get groceries on the way back. We had dinner and got thing packed up for the next day. We made plans to go to the top of the Schilthorn and we needed to leave early so we could be back to meet Dan. We wanted to be on the 7am train so lights were out early!

 

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