Schöllenen Gorge

Given today's short ride, there was time for a bonus hike (and history lesson).

To begin our loop, we walked through a tunnel with passages dedicated for autos, pedestrians, and trains, located along a key route through the Alps.

We followed the trail for a little more than a mile, down (and back up) steps, through tunnels, and ultimately over the old bridge itself. My legs reminded me that they'd climbed nearly 7,000 feet in the past two days.

The Teufelsbrücke (Devil's Bridge) spans the Schöllenen Gorge. Several bridges preceded it, the first dating back to the 13th century. It's an impressive feat of engineering. The gorge is deep, the waters of the Reuss fast-moving. How did the first people decide it was feasible to build a bridge here, and then carry through?

This site saw a battle in 1799, when the Russian general Suvorov fought against the French forces of Napoleon. A monument to the Russians who lost their lives is hewn into the adjacent cliff.

At the start of our hike, we had passed an apparent bunker in the rock wall. Fortunate are we, to come in peace.