DAY 53 - GIBSWIL to RAPPERSWIL (Thursday 8 June)

We had another day on the Jakobsweg today, following it pretty much from our hotel all the way into the town of Rapperswil. We enjoyed views of snow-capped mountains throughout the day, and finished with a walk alongside a lake. 

Another day of wonderful scenery on the Jakobsweg

We had noticed that there was a waterfall, the Wissengubel, just outside Gibswil. We took a short detour to have a look. It was worth the detour, even though we couldn't get too close because a school excursion beat us to it. 

An excursion to Wissengubel - popular among Australian long-distance walkers and local school children

Back on the Jakobsweg, we were soon climbing out of the valley, emerging above the town of Wald. We were treated to amazing views of the town down below, and layers of mountains ahead. 

More pleasant walking on the Jakobsweg

We were soon seeing layers of mountains ahead of us

The signposting was again clear all day

There were new vistas around every corner

Walking above Wald, with the mountains ahead of us

An Australian long-distance walker enjoying the Swiss scenery

We stopped to take an iconic photo of Swiss cows with bells

An iconic photo of Swiss cows with bells

We found a bench ideally situated for a healthy fruit stop

So we sat on the bench, ate some cherries, and took in the view.

The path continued on through small villages, fields and forests. We had been going for a few hours (slowly - we never forget that we are slow travellers) when we found a bench at the edge of a forest which we used as our lunch spot. 

A variety of scenery on the Jakobsweg 

More varied scenery

Today's lunch spot. We didn't use the barbecue facilities, but are impressed that there are so many of them around. Most have a few benches, a rubbish bin, and even a supply of wood. 

It was mostly downhill after lunch as we headed into Rapperswil, on Lake Zurich. We had time for a bit of a walk along the lake, and into some of the town's old medieval streets, before heading out to the youth hostel where we are staying the night. 

Approaching Rapperswil on the Jakobsweg 

As we neared the town, we came across a fitness trail. One of us had the energy to tackle this exercise

While two of us had a go at this one

Lake Zurich at Rapperswil 

We ambled along the lake for a while

The old quarter of Rapperswil 

Lakeside stroll out to our night's accommodation

Day 53 - Birds 

Day 53 - Elevation Profile 

Day 53 - Route 

Day: 53

Distance: 21.63 km

Walking time: 5 hrs 01 mins

Elevation gain: 366 metres

Cumulative distance:  1,163.97

Switzerland distance: 85.19

Switzerland chocolate consumption: 8 blocks

Poem of the Day:

WATER ON THE WANDERWEGS

I'm wandering the Wanderwegs

I'm waltzing up the ways

When I come across an obstacle

That could put me in a daze

There's fountains on the Wanderwegs

Or so l like to think

That can keep my bottles heavy

So I'll always have a drink

Today we walked long hours

With not a spout in sight

Our lips were getting dryer

And our bottles getting light

But fear not, gentle reader,

For we came upon a stall

That was selling farmer's apple juice

And the thirst was quenched for all.