Les Marécottes Alpine Zoo

Martigny

Katherine wanted to go to a zoo. So, we went to a zoo - 2 hours away. The train went around the edge of Lac Leman. Beautiful. The only excitement of the journey was when a woman told me I left my hat and scarf on the train. She and her husband stayed with the girls while I ran quickly back to our seats to find them. I jumped on the train as fast as I could and found a hat and scarf on a different seat - not mine. I was relieved that I got off the train before it left! The nice couple felt sorry for making me feel frantic, and walked us to our next train. They were a typical kind Swiss couple.

In Martigny we switched to a very small train that headed up the steep mountain. Finally, in the Swiss Alps! We found a sign for the zoo and headed up the steep, snowy, muddy switchbacks on the mountainside. If anyone out their doubts their Joovy sit and stand stroller, don't. It's as good as a jeep for four wheeling.

Here are some pictures from our hike:

Katherine's first attempt of the day to take my picture . . . she did a good job!

We finally made it back to the main road and the zoo. We had the zoo to ourselves - not surprisingly since it was cold and snowing. This was definitely an alpine zoo. All of the animals were mountain creatures - which gave me the feeling we were walking around in nature - but with some cages to keep us safe. I highly recommend this place.

My two happy girlies

Bambies

Another water station - this time it was from a moose head!

The wolf who wouldn't stop circling his cage

Cute duckies in the freezing water

The ponies

Beautiful Reindeer

The Black Bear Cave (he was hiding from us)

Oh - and lest I forget, the main road also leads to the zoo. You don't have to follow the sign that takes you up the steep switchbacks, but I'm glad that we took the trail.