The Grimsel pass 2,164 metres (7,100 ft) connects the Haslital
with the Valais. And is therefore also continental divide between the
North Sea (Aare, later Rhine River) and the Mediterranean Sea (Rhone River).
Interesting for me: The Grimsel Pass formed over centuries, along with other passes, a regional well-developed trade route between the Haslital and Domodossola and the Lombardy plain (Switzerland-Italy). This mule tracks have been too steep, too narrow or too rough for carriages and the goods have been transported by mules. Cheese and cattle were sent south, whilst wine, rice, corn and olive oil came north.
The first fully documented use of the Grimsel Pass dates back to the 14th century, although it has been suggested that the pass was used even before Roman times. This trade continued until the opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882.
Today, the old mule track is a spectacular hiking trail through dramatic mountain scenery, and most of the time it is a steep track up or down the mountains, very strenuous, and not so nice like here in the picture along the Rhäterichsbodensee (Lake Räterichsboden). In the backdrop you see the track carved into the "smooth" glacier-rock.
@jgpittenger Hi Jane, thanks for the comment. The lake has this colour. We call water like this literally translated "glacier milk". It's fluvio-glacial water created by the melting of glaciers and saturated with extremly fine rock flour.
@terryliv Hi Terry, thanks for your comment. Same pass, same amazing scenery. Driving or hiking makes only a difference off the time you have to admire the landscape. ;-) Glad you have been there before.
I love the pov and the rich textures and colours in this, and the history is very interesting. It does sound very strenuous to hike, and I pity those poor mules.
