Oeschinen Lake topped my must-do Swiss list as soon as I heard about this alpine beauty. Considered the most beautiful mountain lake in Switzerland, this turquoise jewel adorned my laptop wallpaper as a daily reminder of the Swiss Alps hike of my dreams. When my husband and I finally made it to the day of our Swiss Alps Exploration, we prayed for a weather miracle. Spring in Switzerland is finicky and the threat of rain was always near or imminent. Of course, weather wasn’t the only potential barrier. I awoke that morning with an odd sensation in my throat and suddenly the rain as the last thing on my mind.
Our travel medical insurance offered telehealth appointments, but nothing was available until late morning, which meant it was decision time. The hike was over two hours away by train and gondola. Hoping this odd sensation in my throat was a fleeting ailment, we started the trek with a plan to complete the appointment at a stopping point on the way. Between train stops, we took a funicular ride up to an incredible viewpoint just before the clouds and fog hid the beautiful twin lake views. Before returning to the train station, relief washed over me like a healing wave. My symptoms were fading, and my hope began to rise again. Maybe all I needed was to experience a moment of awe!
Free of ailments, the cloud-ridden sky still threatened rain as the train clamored along to our next station. We slumped into our second train and an announcement came on in German. Even without understanding the words, his tone was concerning. There was a delay and uncertainty of our ability to move forward on the other path that led to the hike. My mind raced with “what-ifs" as I did my best to keep my composure. Nearly thirty silent minutes had passed when finally, we felt the train lurch onward! My sigh of relief was audible.
After jumping the first two hurdles we’d faced this morning and knowing the weather hurdle was still looming, we made it to the gondola to Oeschinensee, rising above the cows, greenery and rock cliff faces. A 20 minute stroll along a paved pathway led down to the lake. The rain had stayed clear, but the clouds were still prominent. The cool and damp air chilled our exposed skin while our waterproof gear swished with each step down the path.
At long last, the lake came into view, nestled in the Swiss alps playing peek-a-boo behind the low-hanging clouds. With the glamorous image still stuck in my mind, I knew its beauty was not fully unveiled. After snagging a quick bite to eat, I tried not to lose hope of a better view. We began the moderately hard hike that would wind us up along and above the lake. The smell of fresh pine misted the air as we followed the tree-lined gravel path, crossing over waterfalls through creative stone-stepping and constantly stealing glimpses of the lake as we gradually rose above it.
Short of breath and legs burning, we stopped for photo ops frequently. “I don’t know if I can do this,” my husband choked out between gasps of air. But we’d already come so far. I slowed and waited semi-patiently for him to catch up. As we neared the middle of the hike, my heart nearly stopped despite my lungs screaming for more oxygen.
“Look look look!” I shouted unabashedly. “It’s happening!” I reached for my camera and tried to steady my shaking hands. The radiant blue sky suddenly peeked out from behind the puffy white curtain, allowing the sun’s rays to cast a spotlight upon the water. The icy gray blue transformed into a brilliant turquoise. Reflections of the surrounding snow-capped mountains spilled over the glassy water. It felt like a dream as the alpine perfection I’d seen in my head was finally right in front of me!
I couldn’t soak in the moment fast enough. The sense of awe ignited a happiness inside that could only happen in a moment like this. While the pictures impart the beautiful colors and composition of the landscape, the power of the scene and the grandness that impart a feeling of connection can only be experienced in its presence.
When I finally found my feet able to move again, a smile was plastered to my face for the rest of the journey past waterfalls tumbling into the brilliant lake below. The clouds may have stolen the blue away again, but they couldn’t steal that moment that filled my heart and soul with a joy that only mother earth can do. This was a perfectly-timed, once-in-a-lifetime moment, and I knew it was where I was meant to be, head over heels amongst Lake Oeschinensee’s unbelievable beauty!
At long last, the lake came into view, nestled in the Swiss alps playing peek-a-boo behind the low-hanging clouds.
Reflections of the surrounding snow-capped mountains spilt over the glassy water.