A big hike!

Today was another hot and sunny day, good for the walk we had planned which gives views all the way down the Prattigau Valley so you need good visibility to appreciate that. 

After breakfast we took the gondola up to the top of the mountain (the usual point where we get off to ski in the winter) and then we set off to walk up Casanna. From the gondola station where we get off we are at an elevation of 2285m and from there we walked straight up a very narrow and steep track, ascending about 300m to the ridge and then walked along the ridge enjoying the views on both sides. It is a tough walk as the path is very narrow with loose stones and it is so steep - I doubt this walk would be approved by health and safety standards in the UK as at times there was a sheer drop right next to the narrow path and if you slipped it would be tickets! We have done this walk many times before but this year we found it more difficult as the track has deteriorated and at times it was so slippery on the descent we had to go down low and use our hands to scramble down. This view is taken when we were walking along the ridge, you can see the narrow track leading back, and this was the easiest bit! After we descended that we had to climb up again to Weisflujoch at an elevation of 2843m, so another tough climb. We had lunch on the terrace at Weissflujoch and then got the funicular train down the other side of the mountain into Davos, from where we caught the train back home.

It was a big walk! We only did about 14000 steps but it was so steep that we were all tired and my legs felt like jelly after those descents. Inca loved it, it is a good walk which shows off the magnificence of the mountains and of course there are beautiful wild flowers and butterflies everywhere. We also spotted some Steinbock (Alpine Ibex or Bouquetin) high up on the ridge. Xena was pooped after her long walk and is now sleeping soundly. I think the rest of us will also sleep soundly tonight!

Extras of Xena on the edge looking down and Inca up on another ridge.