Switzerland by motorhome – This trip went very differently than planned

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Arrival and first evening in Curaglia

Our journey began very relaxed.

The day before, we had spent the night in Germany. This allowed us to continue our journey calmly the next morning and avoid unnecessary long stretches of driving right at the start.

Around 4 p.m., we finally arrived in Curaglia.

Our quiet pitch in Curaglia – just the right place to settle in after the journey and enjoy the mountain landscape.

There, we found a quiet pitch that was perfect for our first night. After the drive, we didn't want to do much else. Park the motorhome, settle in, unwind a bit, and end the day relaxed – that's all we needed at that moment.

The pitch cost approximately 25 Euros during our stay. A portable toilet was also available.

For us, it was a pleasant start to the trip. No hustle and bustle, no packed schedule, and just time to really arrive.

Especially on such first days of travel, we always realize how important a quiet pitch can be. You're not quite in travel mode yet, you have the journey on your mind, and you don't want to rush from one agenda item to the next immediately.

So, we could have just ended the evening in a relaxed manner.

Then we wanted to launch the drone.

And that's when the first surprise of this trip began.

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Our Switzerland Highlights as a Video 🎬

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Defective Drone Batteries and a Broken Bluetti

Drone footage has become an integral part of many of our trips.

Especially in Switzerland, with its valleys, mountains, and pass roads, aerial perspectives often capture views that cannot be captured from the ground. That's why we wanted to take some shots in Curaglia as well.

But it quickly became apparent: Our drone batteries were having problems.

All three batteries of the DJI Air 3S were defective and not usable as we were used to.

This was, of course, far from ideal, as it's annoying when a piece of equipment fails on the first day, especially on a short trip.

Our first idea was to charge the batteries using the Bluetti Elite 300.

But there, the next surprise immediately arose.

The Bluetti was also defective.

So, we had two technical problems at once.

This was definitely not how we had imagined the start of our Switzerland tour.

We were faced with a choice: get upset for a long time or improvise.

Fortunately, we still had the DJI Neo 2 with us. So we decided to continue working with it and make the best of the situation.

Of course, this doesn't simply replace everything that was originally planned. But when traveling, it's not very helpful to dwell on things you can't change anyway.

So, the Neo 2 became much more important for this tour than expected.

For this first evening, nothing else was on the agenda anyway. Therefore, we decided to put the technical problems aside for now and simply enjoy the peace at the pitch.

Thus, our journey began differently than planned – but at least quite calmly.

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Cascade Waterfall and Val Cristallina

After a pleasantly quiet night, we started our first real day of travel in Switzerland the next morning.

Our first destination was the Cascade Waterfall.

From the parking lot, it was just a short walk downhill. The path was manageable, and after a short time, we arrived at the waterfall.

Dayo was, of course, with us.

For us, it's always nice when a destination can be visited easily with a dog. Especially on short hikes or small nature stops, Dayo is simply part of it for us.

The Cascade Waterfall was our first nature stop on this Switzerland trip – small, quiet, and embedded in lush greenery.

There was a place to sit and enjoy the surroundings a bit.

We really like such places because you don't feel like you're just stopping briefly, taking a photo, and having to move on immediately.

So we stayed there for a moment, looked around, and, of course, took some more photos.

Since our other drone batteries weren't working, the DJI Neo 2 was used again.

After that, we headed to Val Cristallina.

Between mountain flanks, rocks, and a clear mountain stream, we take our time to let the landscape sink in.

The gorge was again one of those places where Kirsten quickly realized: camera out.

Rocks, gorge, and nature simply offer too many motifs to leave the camera in the motorhome.

However, there was also an important note on site: the area is used militarily. Therefore, nothing unknown should be picked up from the ground.

Such notes are just as much a part of a travel report for us as beautiful pictures. Those who are on the road should not only look at what there is to photograph, but also pay attention to the local information.

While we were there, the weather changed.

It started to drizzle.

Not dramatic yet, but enough to make us move back towards the motorhome.

And then we were faced with the next decision.

Do we stay?

Do we wait?

Or do we just drive on?

We decided on the latter.

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Spontaneously continuing to the Verzasca Valley

Our new plan led us to the Verzasca Valley.

We wanted to see the area anyway, so the spontaneous route change actually fit quite well.

That's exactly what we like about traveling by motorhome: if the weather isn't right or a destination spontaneously falls through, we can make new decisions relatively quickly.

On the way, we made a short stop at a river that came directly out of a cave.

On the way, we discovered this old stone bridge – right next to it, a stream emerges from a rock crevice. One of those unplanned stops that are particularly exciting on the road.

We hadn't seen anything like it before.

Such small, unplanned discoveries often remain in memory just as vividly as the places that were prominently on the list beforehand.

Of course, we took a few more photos here before driving on.

However, upon arriving in the Verzasca Valley, the next surprise came.

Despite the rather moderate weather, it was really busy there.

We hadn't expected that.

So we drove on first because it wasn't easy to find a quiet place to stop at the first few spots.

As a result, we could only take some photos while driving.

A few kilometers later, we finally found a parking spot.

That was perfect for a short walk with Dayo.

And since the Verzasca flowed right next to us, a dip in the water was, of course, a must.

For Dayo, a little cool-down was naturally part of it – straight into the clear water between the rocks.

Dayo certainly didn't miss out.

For us, this was another typical travel moment: we had actually imagined the day differently, but that's exactly how a beautiful stopover came about, which we hadn't planned at all.

After that, we continued towards the Nufenen Pass.

At the Nufenen Pass, the weather was already significantly rougher – gray clouds, barren mountain landscape, and our motorhome in the midst of this impressive high-alpine atmosphere.

We wanted to spend the night there.

Dark clouds and individual rays of light over the mountains – this is exactly how changeable the weather was on this leg of our Switzerland trip.

In retrospect, however, that was a decision we could certainly reconsider the next morning.

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A Night of Rain and Wind

The night was anything but pleasant.

Rain, strong winds, and considerable rocking in the motorhome meant that truly peaceful sleep was almost impossible.

Anyone who has spent a night in a motorhome during strong winds probably knows this feeling.

You lie in bed, hear the wind, and with every stronger gust, you notice the vehicle working.

At some point, we even decided to reposition the motorhome.

We hoped to be more stable that way.

It's hard to say if it helped much.

The night certainly wasn't cozy.

The next morning, the weather also didn't look particularly inviting at first.

It was still raining.

After the first coffee, Kirsten went out with Dayo.

And then the familiar question arose again:

What's next?

We didn't want to go home yet.

We simply weren't ready for that.

So, the next plan emerged.

We wanted to drive back towards Lauterbrunnen and visit the Trümmelbach Falls there.

For that, we had to cross the Grimsel Pass again.

And to be honest, we weren't sad about that at all.

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Our Highlights as a Video 🎬

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By motorhome over the Grimsel Pass

For us, the Grimsel Pass is one of the most beautiful passes of all.

It's not our first time there, but the route always captivates us.

Especially on a motorhome trip through Switzerland, such pass roads are not just a connection from A to B for us.

The drive itself is part of the experience.

Even on this day, the landscape was impressive again, although the weather wasn't perfect.

Again and again, we could see snow-capped mountain peaks.

At the same time, a lot of fog hung between the mountains, which sometimes restricted visibility.

But that also had its charm.

The landscape appeared much rougher and less like a typical postcard view.

For us, a trip doesn't have to consist only of blue skies.

Of course, you appreciate the sun, but clouds, fog, and changing weather are simply part of the Alps.

And on the Grimsel Pass, a real highlight awaited us that day.

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Marmots on the Grimsel Pass

We made another stop at the top.

Kirsten really wanted to try to get marmots on camera.

With wild animals, you never know if that will work, of course.

You can wait a long time and see nothing.

Or you simply get lucky.

And this time, we were lucky.

On the Grimsel Pass, we were lucky and could observe and photograph the marmots in their enclosure at our leisure.

The marmots actually showed themselves.

And not just for a few seconds.

We were able to observe them for quite a while, which gave Kirsten enough time for her shots.

For us, such encounters are always something special.

Not just because beautiful photos can be taken.

But because for a moment, you just stand still and simply watch.

Another beautiful moment at the marmot enclosure: This marmot allowed itself to be observed and photographed very calmly.

Especially on a trip where plans had to be changed at several points, this was a really beautiful moment.

Eventually, however, we had to move on.

Because our actual destination for that day was still ahead of us.

 

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Lauterbrunnen and the Trümmelbach Falls

Upon arriving in Lauterbrunnen, we already saw the Staubbach Falls.

This time, however, it carried little water.

Furthermore, it was quite busy here again.

Lauterbrunnen between steep rock faces and low-hanging clouds – even the drive through the village had a very special atmosphere that day.

This didn't bother us much at first, as our actual destination was the Trümmelbach Falls anyway.

Once there, we could drive a bit further with the motorhome and park in a separate area for motorhomes.

That was convenient at first.

So, grabbed cameras, took Dayo along, and off we went.

However, we didn't get far.

At the entrance, we found out that Dayo was not allowed into the Trümmelbach Falls.

That was the end of our visit.

We didn't want to go in without Dayo.

So we turned back.

Of course, it's annoying when you drive specifically to a destination and only then realize that your dog isn't allowed in.

But these are exactly the kind of experiences we also want to share in our travel reports.

If you are traveling through Switzerland with a dog, you should check in advance whether dogs are actually allowed at excursion destinations.

Especially at well-known sights, there may be restrictions.

For us, that day meant once again:

Change of plans.

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Continuation to the Susten Pass

We still didn't want to drive home.

So we decided to continue towards the Susten Pass.

There we wanted to try to find a place for the night.

After the previous night, we had naturally become a bit more cautious.

However, the weather forecast didn't exactly encourage us.

Rain and thunderstorms were again announced for the night.

Honestly, we could have done without that.

But at least there was a glimmer of hope:

The sun was finally supposed to come out the next morning.

And this time, the forecast was actually right.

After the many gray hours of the past few days, it almost felt like a small reward.

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Hike with a view of the Steingletscher

After a very good night on the Susten Pass, we were greeted by brilliant sunshine the next morning.

Finally sun: The view of the glaciated mountains was one of the most beautiful moments of this short Swiss trip for us.

After all the rain, that felt really good.

Already with the first coffee, it was clear that we wanted to use this morning.

So we decided to go for another hike.

Our destination was a spot from which you could see the Steingletscher.

The hike was easily manageable for us, and along the way, it quickly became clear that the decision had been worth it.

The Susten Pass showed itself at its best in the morning – wide mountain views, breaking clouds, and a pass road winding through the alpine landscape.

Once at the top, we stayed for quite a while.

After the many plan changes of the past few days, this moment just felt right.

Sun.

Mountains.

View of the glacier.

And finally, no new plan that we had to change again immediately.

Of course, we took many photos there.

Dayo in front of the impressive glacier backdrop – for us, one of those moments where you simply stop for a longer time and enjoy the view.

When you're in such a place, you don't just want to take the landscape with you in your head.

For us, this morning was one of the most beautiful parts of the entire tour.

Not because everything had gone perfectly before.

But precisely because the days before had been so changeable.

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Klausen Pass to finish

After the hike, we drove back down the Susten Pass.

We went shopping and then thought about how we wanted to organize the last part of the trip.

Actually, driving home would have been logical now.

But there was still one question:

Are we really driving straight home?

Or do we take one last pass with us?

The decision wasn't particularly difficult.

We drove to the Klausen Pass again.

Towards the end of our trip, the Swiss mountain world showed itself once again from its particularly impressive side – just the right conclusion for this short tour.

We always enjoy this route.

At the top of the pass, however, it was quite crowded.

So we drove a bit further.

There we took a last short hike to a waterfall.

Another pass road, green slopes, and mighty rock faces – these are the landscapes that make our motorhome trips through Switzerland so special for us.

Once at the top, we took a few more photos.

Then we went back to the motorhome.

And with that, it was clear:

This journey is really ending now.

After all the detours, weather changes, and plan adjustments, the Klausen Pass felt like a fitting end.

Mountains again.

Another short hike.

Camera out again.

And then home.

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Our conclusion: This Switzerland trip really went differently than planned

If we had to summarize these four days in one sentence, our title fits quite accurately:

This trip went completely differently than planned.

Already on the first evening, our drone batteries failed.

Then it also turned out that the Bluetti was defective.

The next day, the rain came.

The Verzasca Valley was much busier than expected.

The night brought wind, rain, and a lot of movement to the motorhome.

And at the Trümmelbach Falls, the entrance was already closed to Dayo.

Nevertheless, we would not describe this motorhome trip to Switzerland as a failure.

Quite the opposite.

We had a peaceful start in Curaglia, visited waterfalls and gorges, drove through the Verzasca Valley, went on the Grimsel Pass again, and were able to observe marmots there.

At the Susten Pass, the sun finally came out.

The hike with a view of the Steingletscher was exactly what we needed after the changeable days.

And with the Klausen Pass, our short trip got a really nice ending.

Perhaps that is precisely one of the reasons why we love traveling by motorhome so much.

We can change plans.

We can drive on if the weather isn't right.

We can skip a destination if Dayo isn't allowed in.

And sometimes, that's exactly how the moments you remember most later on are created.

Switzerland will definitely see us again.

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