Day 2

Arolla to Hauderes

(plus an extension)

We knew today's would not be a long walk so we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then made sure we had all our essentials in our rucksacks before setting off.

Let's go!

Leaving Arolla

It was a lovely day and the walk to Lac Bleu was on good trails with fine views with an occasional drop to the side.

The wire here is really unnecessary!

Handles and chains for a step down!

The sign warns of sudden torrents and flash floods

Lac Bleu

We had anticipated walking to Lac Bleu and then on to Hauderes but we arrived at the lake by 11.30am, with only two hours walking left, so we decided to extend the day following a route suggested in our trip notes.  

As we walked away from the lake we noticed a small hut selling coffee and tarte and we sat for a while in the sun with butterflies all round us and smoke drifting from a fire set in a stone hearth opposite the hut. 

That hut looks like it might have coffee....

.... and tarte!

View from the hut

Refreshed we pressed on and our legs were strong as we had done little serious climbing so far.  The extended route was a lovely walk on good paths, though there was quite a lot of ascending, naturally followed by a long descent.

A long descent to Hauderes

Entering Hauderes

A welcome reward

We arrived at Hauderes at 4pm and enjoyed a welcome beer at our hotel while nearby, some ladies in traditional dress were playing cards with our hostess.

Dinner was more to our taste tonight with a green salad for the first course followed by roast chicken and ice cream for dessert.

To Day 3