Free as a bird over Lenk

From the Matten train station, walk a few steps south, cross the railway line and then the airfield. The ascent starts moderately but soon becomes steep, leading via Stutz up to Eggmatte. Before the turn of the millennium, storm Lothar badly damaged the forest in this area, which hikers can still feel today: where the topographic map promises shade-giving greenery, the blazing sun heats the sparsely vegetated slope. The alpine pastures covered densely with flowers and aromatic herbs along the gravel path in the Dürrewald area appear all the more lovely. In the background of the small high valley, at the foot of the Wistätthorn, the path gradually curves widely upwards and passes rich stands of alpine roses towards Hinterberg and, after a final ascent, to Flöschhore. From this magnificent viewpoint, the gaze wanders far over the Obersimmental, the valley floor of Lenk, and the mighty conclusion formed by the Wildstrubel massif. One wonders if the migratory birds, when flying over this valley and then over the Alpine range southwards in autumn, are also able to enjoy this freedom of the eye here? Via mountain paths and alpine tracks, one returns to Eggweid. The descent over Flöschweid to Lenk is reserved for hikers who are sure-footed and free from dizziness: the path along the steep cliffs is mostly about half a meter wide, but just a little beyond it, the slope drops almost vertically; only one particularly exposed spot is secured with a rope fixed to the hillside. From Underflösch you reach the village center and Lenk train station via the Wallbach bridge.