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Trip report, September 2023 (Part 2)
Hello forum folks,
>>>Day 2: Montreux, Glacier 3000.
Having my everything backpack ready to go, I was on an early train to Aigle (about a ten min train ride) after picking up a danish and coffee outside the train station to catch the 0919 train to the end of the line at Les Diablerets. There, I caught the 1022 bus (Rt. 180) to the Col du Pillon stop (about 9 stops) where the Glacier 3000 cable car takes one up to the Peak-walk and Glacier 3000. The sun was in and out of the clouds most of the time. I was able to get some nice pics in. However, while on the Peak walk itself, it started to get a bit foggy, and a little cold drizzle started to flare up. Fortunately, I was about to make my way back down to the restaurant area at that time. It also became a bit chilly. I did get some neat pics and will try to post some. Looking at the glacier on one side and the beautiful mountains and valleys on the other, it was pretty amazing. Even without the sun shining. Also, looking down at the little hut that housed the cable car to get up there was very cool to see. Just a little hut perched on a bluff 8000 feet or so in the air. Amazing. I did see some people riding on the toboggan up there, but I did not ride, as it was a bit too cold with the slight rainfall. There is some major construction taking place up there as well, but nothing to detract from the views. The glacier on one side was fairly covered with overcast, and the other side was fairly sunny, allowing for better photos. There is, as is true on most mountain tops, a restaurant and souvenir shop. I had my usual “summit beer” and enjoyed the views and cool weather.
>>>Tip: Try not to move to fast up there. It was a little bit slippery due to the weather, but there are probably close to a hundred steps to reach the Peak walk. Not all at once, but in a few different sections, made up of both concrete steps and sections of cat-walks as well. Some folks, as I had overheard, were a bit reluctant to actually cross the bridge due to weather concerns. Or maybe health concerns. Maybe both. It was a bit weird, but fun. It was moving the whole time (the bridge), and one could feel the movement under ones feet. Not swaying crazy, but I could definitely feel it moving while taking steps. Pretty cool, actually.
The cost was US$47.00 with the Swiss Travel Pass. (Chf 43).
I wanted to see this 5 years ago, but the last cable car went right over my head when I got off the bus. One can also reach the valley station by taking a train to Gstaad and getting on the other end of the Rt 180 bus to Col du Pillon. The Aigle route takes from about an hour-30 to an hour-45. Through Gstaad, figure between 2.5 and 3, depending on the train/bus connection.
The train ride to Les Diablerets (Col dul Pillon) was very pretty. Passing many a vineyard, many deep ravines, and many beautiful mountains. A very pretty area, the Les Diablarets mountains. The village of Les Diablarets (at the end of the train line from Aigle) is very pretty, and it looks like a skiing mecca in the winter, for those out there who do ski.
<<<Tip: For anyone planning this excursion, after the train and when boarding the bus, there are 8 stops that have “Les Diablerets” followed by another name. The first stop without “Les D” in the name is where you get off. (You can’t miss the cable car..its the Col du Pillon stop.) The trains in Aigle to Les D, are off the main line and depart from a little station adjacent to the main station.
After arriving back in Montreux, I thought about going to Gruyeres, but it was too late in the day. So I killed some time having a pizza along the main street. (Being from New York, I have found it funny that in Switzerland, they don’t slice their pizza’s…lol.)Then just walking around the prominade, buying some souvenirs and such. After a while, I dropped my “everywhere backpack” at my hotel and headed to the Barrel Oak pub to enjoy my 60th birthday. On my last trip, I celebrated my 55 at the same pub (see pic). That was pretty then and this time around as well. Then we called it a night.
More to come in part three.
Regards,
Danielsan
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Hi Danielsan,
Thanks for sharing your travel experience and photos. Appreciate the detail report and great tips. Looking forward to Part 3!
Regards,
Anna
Thank you for sharing this part of your trip. I love your pictures.
Thanks Hockeyfan!
“Everywhere backpack” – which one is this?
I am planning to buy one for my trip next year. i will be 67 by the time I make that dream trip.
Attached is my tentative plan. comments welcome and appreciated. Thanks.
Hi taurus0205,
Thanks for sharing your itinerary. Perhaps you’d like to open up a new thread to get feedback on your travel plans: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/miscellaneous
Regards,
Anna
Hi taurus0515,
It may he a bit hard to tell from the pics, but the little blue one is collapsible, and went inside the big one when traveling between destinations. Once there, the little blue one came out and went with me everywhere, except for when I dropped it off at night before closing down pubs. It worked out great for the way my trip went. There are tons and tons of backpacks out there to choose from. You have plenty of time to sort that out.
Regards,
Danielson
Many thanks as always Danielsan,
Another great selection of photos. Till part 3.
Kind regards,
YolandaHI Danielsan,
Thanks so much for taking the time to share your trip and the pictures.
We have done so many of the swiss alps rides and enjoyed every minute of it on our several trips – esp when we had snow on the peaks which is our favorite scenes. I decided to skip Glacier 3000 since we will be in Zermatt.
Just curious – would you say that the Glacier 3000 although nice, is not as stunning or “pretty” as the scenery in Wengen region?
If one were to rate Wengen/Murren/KS/Mannlichen and the Matterhorn as a 10, how would you rate Glacier 3000 in comparison? Want to make sure I am not missing out on something spectacular if we skip Glacier 3000 this time round. Since we will be in Zermatt this trip and already did the swiss alps in the BO several times. We are using the time in Nyon to visit Lausanne, Morges and Montreux instead as we have not done those places yet.
I know we all have different tastes but just curious to have your personal opinion.
Glad you made it home safe and sound. Thanks again!
Hi traveljet,
Basically, I would rate the Les Diablarets area between an 8 and 9. On a clear day, it could easily be a 10. It is equally as beautiful as far as the scenery goes, but in a totally different way. Sort of an unsung area, in a way. (I’m in the middle of part three as we speak/email.) Will further explain..
Regards,
Danielsan
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