Jakobsweg: Beckenried to Stans: 21 June 2011

At last some more decent weather to continue on the next leg of Jakobsweg: Beckenried to Stans.


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Jakobsweg: Beckenried to Stans

Jakobsweg: Schwyz to Beckenried: 13 June 2011

It's been quite a while since I managed to cover more of Jakobsweg, but with a public holiday today and despite the grey weather, I decided that this was a day not to be wasted. After 4 changes of train I arrived at Schwyz station, but then had to take the bus to the town centre. The route took me through the outskirts of town, past the Mater Dolorosa, Our Lady of Sorrows chapel, across the river and past another chapel to a large expanse of grassy fields. I could hear shots in the distance, but when I came nearer to a farm building, a loud shot rang out quite close by. I also saw what looked like a burst balloon fall down between some trees. Fearing for my life and imagining some crazed farmer doing target practice, I kept on walking as I was on the public "Wanderweg". The closer I got, the more clearly I could see the "burst balloon" and the cherry trees that surrounded it. It was not a balloon at all, but some kind of contraption that occasionally made the shooting sound, presumably to frighten birds away from the cherries. Nevertheless, I kept my eyes on it as I went past, afraid that it would go off again before I managed to get past. No sooner had I escaped from one "danger" than a large alsatian came out of the house I was passing and started barking loudly. Beware, walking the Way of St. James is not for the faint hearted.

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Schwyz to Beckenried

Jakobsweg: Einsiedeln to Schwyz - 9 April 2011

Some more wonderful weather and another great weekend - planning these walks can become addictive. So the next leg is from Einsiedeln to Schwyz, and I was looking forward to moving further West, as a lot of my previous journeys involved going back East in order to complete the journey west.

It started in a comparatively quiet Einsiedeln (having visited previously at Christmas, the difference was obvious), and quickly moved out of town and along the valley. The whole route was completely green and full of the signs of spring, which a few weeks ago would not have been the case. This part of Jakobsweg is a very pleasant walk, going past the Benedictine Convent at Au, across farmland and pasture, through Trachslau and winding gently upwards until you get to Alpthal. The church in this village is really worth a visit, but from then on the path winds steeply upwards.

Einsiedeln to Schwyz

Jakobsweg: Pfaffikon to Einsiedeln - 2 October 2010

This was one of the first stages of my journey, but coincided with a renewed interest in walking. It was also the start of documenting my journey visually by taking photos, this time for a presentation about natural Switzerland.

Pfaffikon to Einsiedeln

Jakobsweg: Rapperswil to Pfaffikon

This was a walk taken without a camera and prior to starting Jakobsweg. It can easily be revisited and photographed, but I remember many groups of bird watchers, all with their own cameras and binoculars, from walking this section for the first time.

Jakobsweg: Neuhaus to Rapperswil 15 January 2011

My daughter needs a ride to a birthday celebration in Rapperswil, and given the great weather I wonder if I could complete a short hike - although it's January, it's warm, fine and I'll be in the right area. I drop my daughter off to meet her friends, park the car and find a bus to take me to Neuhaus so I can do the Neuhaus to Rapperswil leg of Jakobsweg. Unfortunately, I forget my camera, so the photos here are from the end section of a different day's walk.

Neuhaus to Rapperswil

Jakobsweg: Wattwil to Neuhaus - 3 April 2011

Gorgeous weather again so although I could do with a day of rest, I feel I must make the most of this opportunity to finish the part of Jakobsweg on the other side of Zurich lake. From then I'll be going forwards and away, rather than still trying to complete the arrival part (if you see what I mean).

Comparatively short trip to Wattwil, but a bit of a climb to Iberg castle. Great view of the mountains, the monastery and the descent that wrecked my knees last week. Expecting Iberg castle to be closed, I was ready to walk on by, but in fact it was open and entry was free. Definitely worth a quick detour. Then the path continued onwards and upwards. A sudden surprise in the woods, given that I was not far out of town - two deer. They stopped for long enough for me to get a photo of one.

Wattwil to Neuhaus