January 2025 – After the polar night in December, when no sun-ray touches your skin, the days slowly start getting longer, and the increasing amount of light inspires you to hit the slopes. This region is energizing for one who loves cross-country skiing. I was embedded in love. Awe and wonder were my constant companions in all my activities and even caught me in my dreams. Aurora, the northern lights, were dancing and shining. They directly spoke to my heart.

Finnish Lapland

There are eight seasons in Lapland. Each has its own specialty. This was my third time in Finnish Lapland; it feels like home every time. You not only feel nature, but you are entirely immersed in it, woven in it, part of it; you are one; you are nature!

I have covered practically the entire cross-country ski trail network in Switzerland, thousands of kilometers, and for me, there is one region that stands out in particular – the Jura. The last wilderness for cross-country skiers in Switzerland. Beautifully nestled between Switzerland and France, this part is what cross-country skiing is all about for me. Magical and emotional plains with forests that touch the heart.

Jura – Prés-d’Orvin

Jura – L’Auberson

You have to immerse yourself and be inspired by this nature. If anyone needs tips, please ask. Bonne chance!

I did 29 mountain runs and hikes in the Swiss Alps this summer and autumn, 12 times over 3000m asl. It’s such an incredible scenery; your Heart and Soul always feel better and get more clarity during and after the trail. After over 600 trail runs, I still have not seen every corner of Switzerland, and I’m very thankful to live here in this great country with beautiful mountains and lakes. The fall season is often my favorite time for trail runs, especially when the leaves of the larches and other deciduous trees show their most colorful side. I look forward to lingering and dreaming in the golden hours in the following weeks of late fall.

I did the following four runs/hikes in Graubünden:

  • Piz Julier [3380m asl]
  • Piz Ot [3246m asl]
  • Alp Flix
  • Corn da Tinizong

Eleven in Wallis/Valais:

  • Platthorn [3345m asl]
  • Weisshornhütte and Wisse Schijen [~ 3265m asl]
  • Oberrothorn and Hohtälli [3414m asl]
  • Kleines und Grosses Bigerhorn [3626m asl]
  • Hörnlihütte [3262m asl] and Trockener Steg
  • Jegihorn [3207m asl] and Hohsaas [~ 3137m asl]
  • Le Luisin and Col de Barberine
  • Sasseneire (Col de Torrent) [3254m asl]
  • Cabane de Tracuit [3259m asl]
  • Dom Hut (200m above) [~ 3140m asl]
  • Baltschiedertal Suonen hike

Five in Uri:

  • Erstfeldertal with Älplilücke and Guggital
  • Göscheneralp with Chelenalphütte
  • Göscheneralp with Bergseeschijen, Voalphütte and Salbithütte
  • Bälmeten, Hoch Fulen and Gross Spitzen
  • Nätschen, Schneehüenderstrock, Pazolastock and Tomasee (Graubünden)

And nine in the canton of Bern:

  • First (Kandersteg)
  • Blüemlisalphütte (under Wildi Frau) [~ 3100m asl]
  • Schwalmere with Lobhörner
  • Niesen
  • Chrinnenhorn with Glecksteinhütte
  • Schreckhornhütte
  • Gantrisch Trail (Swiss Championship)
  • Blausee & Oeschinensee
  • Harder Kulm or Top of Interlaken

Most of them between 2500m and 3500m asl.

Here you can find some impressions.

My favourite hiking canton(s) in Switzerland? Ufff, that’s tough, but I would go for Uri, Ticino and Grisons. If I had to choose one, it would be Uri. Such a diversity in a region with an area of 1,077km2. It is the centrepiece of Switzerland, especially geographically. Uri is one of the founding cantons, the “original” canton par excellence. From myths and legends to heroic epics. It’s full of exciting stories! I love the landscape, that is engraved in my heart. It is the glue that holds the Swiss regions together and connects them – South and North, East and West. Both a water castle and a mountain colossus, Uri is a natural paradise! Watch out – the morning and evening hours over Uri are unmistakable, unforgettable!…

This week I decided to start running again after so many setbacks the last couple of years. That means I’m gonna try run faster, longer and better – stay tuned for the second half of 2024!

Switzerland is WONDER-full – where in the world can you find so many wonderful things in such a small space (not so small, if you flatten the relief)? Switzerland is a unique country with many different facets that contribute to its overall charm and character. Where else in the world can you find so much water diversity (the blue gold of Switzerland or the water castle of Europe) in an area of around 41,000 km2? Rivers and lakes characterize Switzerland, as do mountains and hills. The two triple watersheds of Europe are unparalleled. One lies on the border between the three cantons of Uri, Valais, and Ticino, the other on the Lunghin Pass in the canton of Graubünden. They give birth to long European rivers, namely the Reuss → Rhine, the Ticino → Po, the Inn → Danube, and the Rhone.

The geographical diversity of Switzerland is impressive. The Central Plateau is bordered from southwest to northeast by the Jura range of hills and the main Alpine ridge. Only the northernmost area, Basel-Stadt, and the southernmost area in Switzerland, southern Ticino, lie outside these two striking rock formations. There is everything from glaciers (I call it the white gold of Switzerland) with their perceived northern temperatures to a southern Mediterranean climate feeling. Even in a relatively small canton, like the canton of Uri, there are countless lakes, mountains, and valleys that will make your heart beat faster.

48 of the 82 4,000-metre peaks in the Alps are in Switzerland (an Alpine record), more than 40 of them in the canton of Valais, with the Dufourspitze in the Monte Rosa massif being the highest peak at 4,634 m – WoW!

The linguistic diversity is also impressive. With four main languages and numerous dialects, there is something for everyone. The four seasons each show their impressive side and let the Swiss landscape to blossom. Yes Switzerland, you are so BEAUTY-full!

29.10.2023 – Another trail – another highlight between alpine lakes and some of the highest alpine mountains such as Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau. In other words, in-between 500m asl and around 4’000m asl. The atmosphere was, as so often, special on the Gantrisch. Autumn showed itself in its full bloom.

The trail started on the Wasserscheidi of the Gantrisch Nature Park and ended after a short detour on the Stockhorn at the middle station Chrindi. Some of the prominent points along the trail were: BürgleGantrisch – Nüeneflue – Homad, and Stockhorn. A distinctive alpine mountain range.

I can only recommend the trail. It is a good trail for half a day – enJOY!

12/13/14.10.2023 – Three golden days – This golden fall season is just breathtaking. The dance of the trees, of the colours and animals – Wooooaaaah!

Some high-lights: Val Trupchun, Val Müschauns, Fuorcla Val Sassa, Val Sassa, Val Cluozza, Zernez

8.10.2023 – Another 3’000m asl hike – Arpelistock. The landscape looks very special, partly like Mars and Moon ;-). Furthermore, you will see wild animals from the Himalayas – the Yaks. It was so beautiful and with a golden finish at the Lake Louenen – Just WoW!

2.10.2023 – This is a one-day hike that has a lot to reveal. The Gotthard massif is home to the highest triple continental divide in Europe, 3’025m asl. At this point, precipitation separates into three major rivers: the Rhine, the Rhone and the Po.

This was my trail: Villa Bedretto (Val Bedretto) – Passo di CavannaRonggergrat Hüenderstock Witenwasserenstock – Rotondohütte SAC – Witenwasseren – Realp

It was a fabulous hike – 1 day hike felt like 1 week holiday. Thank you so so much!