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Today's pass is a classic and has been on the "must" list for tourists in Switzerland for over a hundred years: a gradual ascent under the towering rock walls of the Wetterhorn to the Grosse Scheidegg pass, where spectacular views open up of the Eiger and the immense valley of Grindelwald.

For the next few days you'll be in the Berner Oberland, widely considered to be the most spectacular region of Switzerland... and perhaps the entire Alps. It is certainly my favorite. I first fell under its spell in 1985 and have been coming back ever since.

The hike is somewhat unusual for the H2H in that it is along or near a road for the entire way. However, after Reichenbach Falls the road is closed to regular traffic and the only wheeled vehicles that you will see will be bicycles and the occasional Postbus.

By the way, if the name "Reichenbach Falls" sounds familiar, you probably read Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle in your youth. It was there that Sherlock Holmes, struggling with Moriarty, fell to his death in the 1891 book "The Final Problem"... or at least, that was the author's intent. Public outcry was so strong, however, that in 1903 Conan-Doyle felt compelled to reinterpret the ending as a cliff-hanger, so to speak... and he resurrected the great detective with the explanation that he had arrested his fall at the last moment by grasping a tuft of grass. As a literary device, and also on the H2H, not recommended....

Route
Today's hike follows the same trails as the Via Alpina. Cross the Aare River in the direction of Reichenbach Falls and start climbing.... The route is well signposted: on the way up follow the signs to Rosenlaui (1328m) and Grosse Scheidegg (1962m), on the way down to Grindelwald.

Alternatives: there are many places along the route where you can hop into a bus for some or all of the way to Grindelwald. The bus runs hourly.
Maps: ST-255T Sustenpass, ST-254T Interlaken.

Journal
The House to House blog... stage 30.

Photos
<A couple of representative photos from this stage will be added here after the hike>
In the meantime, click here to go to all of the H2H photos on Flickr.

GPS Track
<To be added during or after hike>

Room and Board Options
Lunch: there are a number of places to have lunch along the way -- depending upon when you start, one or other of the restaurants at Rosenlaui, Schwarzwaldalp, or Grosse Scheidegg will be convenient.
Dinner and overnight: there are many restaurants and places to stay Grindelwald (for a complete list, see here).

Getting There and Back
Meiringen: there is a railway station here (for schedule information, see the SBB).
Grindelwald: and there is also a railway station here.
ViaMichelin Road Map and Driving Directions: centered on Meiringen, centered on Grindelwald.

Background Information and Links
Many and various...

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