Although it is the end of September it is 25 degrees and wonderful sunshine at 2000 meters above sea level. Autumn 2023 will be the warmest on record in Switzerland.

I take a break from my motorcycle Alpine expedition and put on my hiking boots. From my location in Flims, under a cloudless sky, I take the cable car up to Alp Nagens to get to 2127 meters.

There are an incredible number of ski areas as well as an incredible number of hiking trails around the Flims and Laax area. I’m not a skier and prefer to enjoy the mountains in summer.

The large network of mountain railways benefits me as well as my winter friends. A large overview of the hiking trails can be found on Flimslaax.ch, Bergfex, Komoot and Outdooractive.

There is still a lot going on around the Nagens cable car in autumn, but it is also the weekend and the weather is beautiful. Not far away I reach the Grauberg mountain station at 2230 meters.

The station is not yet operational. From here you have a fantastic view of the valley at the foot of Piz Segnas, the Segnesboden. The grass and mountain streams have formed a fen here.

The path around the Segnesboden is not particularly difficult. But from here you can hike over the Laaxer Stöckli or to the Pinut, for very demanding routes. I’ve had enough of a walk today.

The Segnesboden is part of the Tectonic Arena Sardona mountain range, which extends across the cantons of Glarus and St. Gallen and is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.

Nature is beautiful. The blue flowers of the gentian stand out against the barren scree. Every now and then I can see a marmot. You can always hear the chubby rodents whistling from one direction.

On past hikes I have also been able to see chamois and ibex. I never imagined how big a full-grown ibex is.

On August 4, 2018, Segnesboden received notoriety when the historic aircraft JU-52 crashed on the mountainside while flying with tourists.

My parents were also traveling in exactly this plane a few years ago! The reasons remain unclear, but a technical defect caused by evaporated gasoline was suspected.

I don’t take the cable car, but walk back to Flims. For me it goes close to the edge of the Flimserstein. The whistles of the marmots accompany me.

The animals are my only partners. Nobody else is on this route at this time of year.

The descent is relaxed and the weather is good. I’m on the road from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until I reach Flims again.

My journey on the motorbike continues there the next day. The fun of fun is waiting for me in the Rhine gorge and the Rhine valley.