Summary

The web content is a photo essay by Luciano Abriata showcasing trails and natural landscapes across various seasons and locations, including Switzerland, Sicily, and Iceland.

Abstract

The article "Paths in nature -part 2" presents a curated selection of photographs taken by Luciano Abriata during his walks in natural settings. It features images of winter sports enthusiasts carving paths through Swiss snow, serene summer landscapes in Sicily with the backdrop of Mount Etna, and the rugged beauty of Switzerland's National Park in the summertime. The collection also includes a snapshot of a trail near an Icelandic waterfall, inviting readers to explore the country further through a linked guide. The photos not only capture the essence of the trails but also the surrounding environments that inspired the author to take these shots. The article is part of a series, with the first part available for readers to explore.

Opinions

The author expresses a personal connection to the subject matter, mentioning that the photos are sent to a cousin who appreciates such scenes.
There is an appreciation for the beauty of nature in various forms, from snow-covered landscapes to volcanic views and waterfalls.
The author conveys a sense of adventure and exploration, particularly in the descriptions of winter sports and high-altitude hiking.
There is a clear enthusiasm for photography as a means to share the experience of nature with others.
The author suggests a fondness for Switzerland, featuring it prominently across different seasons and highlighting its diverse natural beauty.
The inclusion of practical tips for visiting Iceland indicates a desire to inspire and assist others in their travel adventures.

The first snows appearing above 2000 m in the alps by the end of fall. Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

Paths in nature -part 2

A selection of photos while walking in natural scenarios.

A cousin of mine is a fan of photos of trails, routes, and ways through natural landscapes. Hence each time I have a nice view of one, I send him photos. Here’s a small selection of photos that depict not only the trails themselves (in some cases actually barely noticeable) but also the landscapes that inspired the shots. See part 1 here.

I open part 2 of this series with three shots of the Swiss winter. The first is a group of snow hikers going up with their specialized skis, which have a piece of skin (not synthetic, decades ago made with animal fur) that induces traction when climbing but slides when going downhill forward.

Path opened by snow hikers as they go up through fresh snow. Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

The second is a view of freeride skiers opening up their paths through virgin snow as they go down the slopes. You can see in the back lots of tracks from several skiers looking for pristine powder snow.

When freeride skiers open their paths in pristine snow. Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

The third Swiss winter photo is a view from around 1800 m.a.s.l. taken during a beautiful hike close to Leysin, in the Alps of canton Vaud. You can appreciate a lake of clouds… well, these clouds are actually covering a true lake, Lac Leman!

View from the top of one of the snowshoe trails above Leysin, in canton Vaud, Switzerland. Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

This next photo (repeated from the opening photo) is also in Switzerland and it also features some snow, but technically it’s just near the end of the fall, not winter. I’m here reaching a summit close to 2200 m.a.s.l., also in the alps of canton Vaud:

I now change the destination and time of the year, for snapshots in warmer settings. This is a beach in the SouthWest of Sicily, south of Siracusa (beautiful city, by the way!). The mountain you see on the back is one of the world’s most famous volcanos, Etna:

One of the several beautiful beaches south of Siracusa, Sicily (Italy). Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

Still in summer but back in Switzerland, this is along a path that leads to the Lac de Taney, a gem that I will cover in some dedicated story one day:

Shot along the hike to Lac de Taney, very close to Lausanne but technically in canton Valais (Switzerland). Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

This is also Switzerland (actually in its National Park) and also summer, but so high (around 3000s…) that there are still patches of snow. See how at these altitudes there are almost no plants, certainly no trees!

Hiking up a mountain in the Swiss National Park, in canton Graubunden/Grisons/Grigioni. Photo by author Luciano Abriata.

To end this story, a walking path around one of Iceland’s many waterfalls. Interested in this amazing country? Check out my story on how to plan your trip to Iceland (where you can see a selection of photos at the end).

I hope you’ve liked this and my other snapshots focused on trails and paths. And stay tuned for more!

I am a nature, science, technology, programming, and DIY enthusiast. Biotechnologist and chemist, in the wet lab and in computers. I write about everything that lies within my broad sphere of interests. Check out my lists for more stories. Become a Medium member to access all stories by me and other writers, and subscribe to get my new stories by email (original affiliate links of the platform).