Luzern to Brienzeiler: Over a pass and into the 16th century

Gordon:
We bagged another pass today. The Brunig pass is only 1000 m, but that is 600 m more than where we started the day. Once over the pass we took a secondary road into Brienzwiler, and the 16th century. It seems that this town missed the memo that all quaint towns should embrace tourism. Many of the houses, including the pilgrim hostel, were built in the late 16th century. They are extensively carved and ornamented, but the wood is unpainted and has darkened with age. The orientation of the houses, hunched around narrow winding lanes, recalls the life of a late medieval farming village. And the town of Brienzwiler does all of this without even appearing to be aware of its own beauty.

 

 

The pilgrim hostel here was another treat. This place was started by Christian and his wife, who as pilgrims, know exactly what we need after a long hard day. I highly recommend it to anyone on the Jacobsweg in Switzerland.