So that was summer 2016. Schools start again this week here in N.E. Switzerland, so it’s back to the day job on Monday for me too. It wasn’t one of the best summers, weather-wise, but we managed to pack in a few trips and I have dozens of photos – here are some taken the day I visited the Tamina Gorge, which starts at Bad Ragaz.
It’s an easy walk. The path meanders up beside the river – all you can hear is water crashing down to your left as you go deeper into the gorge.
After an hour or so, you arrive at Alter Bad Pfäfers. Here, hunters discovered a thermal spring in 1240, and nearby monks found the hot water had a healing effect. Early visitors to the springs were lowered down the gorge (blindfold if they were nervous!), and then bathed in rocky pits for days at a stretch. Today, you can visit some of the later baths and guest rooms, and see the old kitchens and corridors.
From here, you can continue up the gorge, going right inside the mountain.
Down at the end, you turn into the spring area. I couldn’t take photos there because my camera kept misting up. It’s incredibly hot and humid – the water comes out at 36°C (that’s 97°F).
It was very impressive, if a touch claustrophobic – I was glad to get back to the sunshine!
It was a day to remember, and you can read more about the gorge here at My Switzerland.
Book News: watch out for the Ward Zero cover reveal next week!
linda huber 
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