Large Scale Central

Virtual hiking in the Swiss Alps

Prototypes
#1

For those who are interested in railway themes - instead of xyz discussions - the Albula-Bernina route of the RhB (Rhaetian Railway) is a UNESCO world heritage site. Instead of buying a video one can travel the line using Google.

This is the link to the blog on this project.

Not to be outdone by Google, some Swiss outfit compiled a virtual hiking project along that same route.

Virtual hiking along the Albula-Bernina Route

For those less used to hiking, there are managable segments and there are plenty of resting spots.

In both apps you get the 360º view by manipulating the controls. BTW the gang over on our RhB/Swiss Trains Forum make regular use of the Google app to get detail information on specific locations. That is considerably less expensive than flying to Switzerland to do research on location - but we do that, too. :wink: :slight_smile:

#2

As unfit as I am I could still spend an entire summer train riding/ hiking and biking thru Switzerland.

#3

In that case you start at Bergün on the RhB Albula line. They just opened a new RhB train museum. When you’re done with the museum you register at the local sports store for the up-hill time trial on the bike. No results until the fall when they compile the finisher list. Next you head to the RhB station at Preda and rent one of those nifty scooters

(http://www.berguen-filisur.ch/uploads/tx_bftangebote01/trottinett_internet.jpg)

and watch all the wonderful bridges, tunnels … and the road … while scooting back to Bergün. Or you can take the hiking path which has all the details on the construction of the railway, get to see all the stuff up close that you missed while on that time trial - that only left enough breath for cursing. That covers some of Day One, if you need more just ask. BTW back in 2004 while on the train from Samedan back to Filisur there was a keener on board, he got off at Preda saying “I’ll beat the train to Bergün station” He did; it’s all downhill, but a hairy ride - a tobaggan run in the winter.

#4

Spending a couple of weeks hiking/riding trains around the Alps is on my list…