Report on the hiking weekend, September 19–20

From herb course to Tamina Gorge: an unforgettable EPS hiking weekend

It smells of herbs and adventure. A house dating back to 1772 breathes stories into its wooden beams, and right in the middle of it all stands Agnes Schneider, the Gafarra Häxli. She is the driving force behind the Museum Post-ab and a collector of herbs and stories.

Amidst tinctures, bath bombs, and the scent of ointments, she unfolds an entire valley. She knows about Oskar Tschirky, a boy from the Weisstannental valley who became “Oskar von Waldorf” in New York, maître d'hôtel at the Waldorf-Astoria. And she knows stories about all the residents who passed through this house and left their mark.

Meanwhile, we stir our own chapter: a yellowish ointment that smells of marigolds. We learn, stir, sniff. The Gafarra Häxli has a remedy for everything—except heartbreak. And amid all the scents and hands full of herbs, we are invigorated by a syrup made from fresh spring water—homemade and simply delicious.

While we were mixing herbs in the valley, the hiking group set off for the Batöni waterfall arena. The five idyllic waterfalls – all between 86 and 45 meters high – plunge over the steep cliffs, transforming the Batöni valley basin into a natural spectacle.

The climb was steep and challenging, but the magnificent landscape made up for every effort: alpine meadows and sweeping views all the way to the peaks. At the top, they took a break and listened to the thunder of the water. Those who still had strength in their legs climbed further up until the view opened up almost limitlessly.

The second day was exciting: we all set off together for the Tamina Gorge. Anyone who had thought beforehand that this would be a quiet walk quickly realized that the air here vibrates between narrow rocks and splashing warm water. 36.5 degrees straight from the rock. In the Old Baths of Pfäfers, the oldest Baroque baths in Switzerland, there was a moment of reverence – then history, team spirit, and a thirst for adventure took over. A group moment that was the perfect start to the day.

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On the way home, it was clear: the Weisstannental valley is more than just nature and herbs. It is full of stories, surprises, and a great sense of community. We took home not only impressions, but also a good feeling. And anyone who wanted to could grab a healing potion or two for real life—because a good syrup and a strong team always help.

Many thanks to Reto Meier, Jörg Eugster, and Andreas Kleiner for the great organization.