Day 161: The Mountains Are Calling

Wetzikon to Holzegg 

Distance: 45km

After two days of dolce far niente I hit the trail well rested. Leaving home is generally not easy and there's no exception this time. However, it's only a week to the Italian border and a big chunk of it through spectacular terrain. The icing on the cake one could say. Therefore, I am actually in a good mood as I make my way towards Rapperswil. It's an easy start, the trail gradually ands gently descending to the Lake of Zürich. The dramatic early morning clouds give way to the sun as I cross the lake via one of, if not the, longest wooden footbridges in Switzerland.

The first climb to Meinrad Monastery goes surprisingly easy. Only my arms feel a bit tired. Maybe too much swimming the previous two days. After another descent I pass by the Lake of Sihl. There's a free bathing place but it's crawling with people. Car and bicycles parked scattered on the pasture around. I give it a wide berth and find a nice bench a bit further down the hiking path. I have the place for myself. I jump into the refreshing water. With an air temperature of 30 degrees it really does feel good. A long, mostly flat stretch takes me past Einsiedeln with its famous monastry and onwards to Brunni. The mountains are getting closer with every step. After hiking in flatter terrain since Norway, it feels quite exciting but I do show a lot of respect. 

In Brunni the valley ends and I steeply climb towards Zwyschet Mythen, which offers fantastic views of Lake Lucerne and the Central Swiss Alps. It's windy up here. Yet, I enjoy every moment of it before making my way down in search of a good spot to camp. 

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