Day 7 La Fouly to Champex

This afternoon we have been graced by a fantastic thunder, lightening, and rain storm! Always love tom sit and watch these. I have the luxury of enjoying the show from our patio overlooking the Swiss valley we hiked out of today.

Our hike today to Champex was relatively easy in comparison to most of our days. We started today leaving from the little village of La Fouly and worked our way gently up and down along a stream, through pine forests, and meadows. We passed through some quaint Swiss villages, Issert, Moulin, Les Arlaches, and Praz de Fort. Each of these villages were incredibly charming with flower boxes in the windows, and fresh water around every corner ( something we have always loved about Europe). After passing through these villages, the road became a footpath that very quickly ascended as we began our 1500 ft climb to Champex. Again we encountered steep terrain with switchbacks and sharp turns. We were surprised at the climb, as our book didn't indicate that this would be such a strenuous section, fortunately some ares were shaded by pine trees, so the warm weather wasn't too difficult to handle.

Along our path we ran into our friends from Australia, our friends from London, and met a new family from Scotland. After about another hour and a half we came into the village of Champex. Fortunately our hotel was the first we reached and we were thankful to not have to walk too much further. Our hotel, Le Belvedere is run by a lovely German couple, Irene and Gabriel. We met their granddaughter, Betina as well. Betina was running around the front yard playing with a toy airplane. We enjoyed a beer and wine on the patio while our room was being finished, and we promptly showered, unpacked, and walked to the lake to see the rest of the village and meet up with our Australian and British friends.

Leaving La Fouly

Walking through the Swiss country side

Always fresh cold water along the way!

Swiss village of Issert

Working our way up to Champex

Leaving the valley behind

Le Belvedere, our home tonight

Room #4

Champex-Lac

The lake is small but lovely. There were paddle boats and paddle boarders cruising around in the sunshine. There are a few little restaurants on the lake as well. We thought that next time we do the TMB, that maybe we begin and end here, or at least have our day of in Champex.

The clouds have cleared, the show is over. Dinner will be served soon. Just finished dinner, and hands down, Irene is an amazing chef!  Best dinner we have had thus far.  Beautiful salad of greens (grown in the garden below our room), with garlic croutons, walnuts, grapes, and a large round of local soft cheese that was warm and crusted in garlic.  Main dish was a pork chop sauted and covered in locally grown mushrooms ( we actually walked the mushroom path), spinach linguine with parmesan and a grilled chard topped with bacon.

We are tired and will be turning in early tonight since tomorrow looks like another long and challenging day as we make our way to Col de la Forclaz.