A peak experience from Meiringen, Switzerland: Reuti, Mägisalp, and Planplatten
Alpen Tower Restaurant, Planplatten, Switzerland
We spent a week in Meiringen, Switzerland, in one of the apartments offered by Untours. Meiringen, with its museums, festivals, shops had far more to offer than we had imagined. We even had our own alpine gondola experience right on the mountain behind us. The ride from Meiringen to the mountaintop is half price with the Swiss Travel Pass and free on your birthday.
gondola, Hasliberg
The series of three gondolas took us through forests, past gushing waterfalls, over chalets on rolling hills and to the alpine terrain of the summit.
Mountaintop trails the Hasliberg mountainside are popular with hikers.
The first cable car runs from Meiringen to Reuti, where we had enjoyed dining at several restaurants with spectacular mountain views.
view from the terrace of the Hotel Reuti restaurant, Hasliberg
Reuti sign near gondola
Village of Reuti from the Hotel Panorama
The gondola railway, Bergbahnen Meiringen-Hasliberg, continues from there to Bidmi and Mägisalp.
Bidmi
Families with small children disembarked at Mägisalp, where hands-on theme trails run through woods and meadows.
Mägisalp, Switzerland
It features the magical story world of Muggestutz, the oldest Hasli dwarf and his friends.
Muggestutz gondola, Mägisalp
Muggestutz gondola stop, Mägisalp
There are playground and picnic areas, restaurants, adventure stations, and reminders of the stories like a swing bridge and cave.
restaurant, Mägisalp
restaurant, Mägisalp
Trotti Bikes, a kind of scooter, can be rented to ride downhill to Bidmi.
bike rentals, Mägisalp, Switzerland
We continued higher on our third gondola toward Planplatten, where there is a breathtaking view of over 400 peaks, the valley, and Lake Brienz.
view from gondola Mägisalp to Planplatten
There was the sound of cowbells as we passed alpine huts and pastures.
Mägisalp, Switzerland
We enjoyed lunch at the summit at the panoramic Alpen Tower restaurant, also a popular spot for Sunday buffet breakfast.
Alpen Tower Restaurant, Planplatten, Switzerland
As we entered the restaurant building we discovered a room of Muggestutz Winter World displays based one of the books.
Mugglestutz at the Winter Wonderland display, Alpen Tower, Switzerland
There was also a mountain crystal display. Kaspar Fahner’s Wonder of Crystals exhibit at Fahner Sport in Hasliberg features one of Europe’s top mineral collections. Entry is free when the crystal shop is open.
crystal display at the Panorama Restaurant, Planplatten, Switzerland
We were nearly 7400’ above sea level and had a 360 degree view of the Bernese and Central Alps.
view from Planplatten, Switzerland
view from Planplatten, Switzerland
view from Planplatten, Switzerland
Low-lying wildflowers lined the path where we hiked the easy highland paths.
wildflowers landed the alpine hiking trails
Later, back in Meiringen, we found English versions of Muggestutz books for our granddaughter at the Jenny & Banholzer bookstore. The clerk offered free gift wrapping.
Muggestutz books on display at the Panorama Restaurant, Planplatten, Switzerland