We were travelling from Lugano to Zermatt so decided to take the shorter but slower and more scenic route via the Centovalli line. This was to involve 5 separate trains and take us back into Italy before our final leg to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. It was a wonderful adventure and went to plan...well almost!
Rather than climb the short but very steep hill up to the train station at Lugano we planned to walk downhill and then take the funicular to the top. The hotel took us up in their hotel car. We took a regular train to Giubiasco and changed platforms to head back again then branch off to Locarno.
At Locarno we had to go out of the station and find our third train. It was a private operator called Locarno FART. No problems and did it easily in the allocated minutes available.We headed back into Italy through the stunning central valley. The Centovalli train line has stunning scenery as you travel around mountain sides and through the valley. This took us back into Italy through heavy forests. It was not far into the trip that the rain started.
We loved the view but look at the rain drops!
We would have loved better photos as the views were stunning but the rain was very heavy.
We changed at Domodossola. Again achieved and we were off back to Brig in Switzerland. This train was however fully packed but it was a short leg. We were on an intercity heading to Geneva. We were pleased to get off in Brig
At Brig we again had to exit the station to find the train line to Zermatt, Our instructions gave us the point and the train was sitting there displaying the destination as Zermatt Everything matched so we settled in and started our lunch preparations. At one minute before departure a guard came along and told everyone of a change so we hurriedly packed up everything and went to the next train. The heavy rain had stopped so easier for the photos!
There were lots and lots of waterfalls fed by the melting snow.
This section is also a part of the Glacier Express when we return in a few days. These were the first of the glaciers.
This leg was as good as the central valley section. On this leg as we climbed towards Zermatt and the Matterhorn there we reached up to 2033 metres, crossed 126 bridges, went through 33 tunnels and avalanche barriers with one tunnel of 15.4 km long and travelled 144 km of witch 31.9 was by cogwheel system due to the steep gradient.
Stunning views of our destination
As we approached the end of the line we could see the Matterhorn with its peak amongst the clouds.
We arrived at Zermatt and had a great afternoon exploring this unique pedestrianised town.
Rather than climb the short but very steep hill up to the train station at Lugano we planned to walk downhill and then take the funicular to the top. The hotel took us up in their hotel car. We took a regular train to Giubiasco and changed platforms to head back again then branch off to Locarno.
At Locarno we had to go out of the station and find our third train. It was a private operator called Locarno FART. No problems and did it easily in the allocated minutes available.We headed back into Italy through the stunning central valley. The Centovalli train line has stunning scenery as you travel around mountain sides and through the valley. This took us back into Italy through heavy forests. It was not far into the trip that the rain started.
We changed at Domodossola. Again achieved and we were off back to Brig in Switzerland. This train was however fully packed but it was a short leg. We were on an intercity heading to Geneva. We were pleased to get off in Brig
At Brig we again had to exit the station to find the train line to Zermatt, Our instructions gave us the point and the train was sitting there displaying the destination as Zermatt Everything matched so we settled in and started our lunch preparations. At one minute before departure a guard came along and told everyone of a change so we hurriedly packed up everything and went to the next train. The heavy rain had stopped so easier for the photos!
This leg was as good as the central valley section. On this leg as we climbed towards Zermatt and the Matterhorn there we reached up to 2033 metres, crossed 126 bridges, went through 33 tunnels and avalanche barriers with one tunnel of 15.4 km long and travelled 144 km of witch 31.9 was by cogwheel system due to the steep gradient.
Stunning views of our destination
As we approached the end of the line we could see the Matterhorn with its peak amongst the clouds.
We arrived at Zermatt and had a great afternoon exploring this unique pedestrianised town.
1 comment:
Sounds like a fascinating and frustrating day in equal measures, all those changes! Just as you sit down, you need to change trains. At least you didn't have to go through immigration multiple times I guess. :-)
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