And so, we had our own way of celebrating this important day: we went on a hike. Our trail started at the pass of Freiersberg on 740m, at one of the long distance hiking trail stations in the Black Forest.
It started with a fairly light ascent on a wide track. They are called hiker's highway, as you may find large crowds of strangely motivated pilgrim like long distance hikers during high season.
The incline became steeper after a few clicks, and changed to smaller trails covered by roots and boulders, and the forest opened up to a spectacular view over the Bad Peterstal valley.
The grounds change from soil to sand, from moss to gras and from rock to gravel as we were gaining height.
Every once in a while we'd find a fresh water fountain, where we could quench our thirst. It wasn't really warm but the uphill hike was quite strenuous.
Finally we had reached the apex around 960m, after an elevation gain of almost 220m, and we were rewarded with a stunning view on Glaswald lake below and the southern ridge of the Black Forest.
Glaswald lake is a tarn, surrounded by steep mountain walls. The lake and its surroundings were formed by a glacier during the last ice age.
The shadows became longer as we walked downhill again. It was about time we got home.
Another freshwater fountain
The hike was mostly uphill so we needed almost two hours for the 6km round trip but it was well worth the sweat. We'd like to come back in winter, it looks like a great area for snow shoeing.
Back home we rewarded ourselves with proper dinner and a nice bottle of Lambrusco. Life is good!
I'm intrigued by the fountains you've photographed for this post and for at least one other post: Are such fountains memorials or privately owned and maintained? I ask because of their uniqueness and because of the carvings on those in this post.
ReplyDeleteOften these fountains are donations by private sponsors,in this case community clubs such as the local branch of the Black Forest hiking club, or the local ski club. They are being maintained by the clubs, or some times by public services of the nearest village.
DeleteI was also wondering about the springs along the trails. There are a small number of artesian wells around here that many utilize on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful walk. The road/trail looked like a good surface.
ReplyDeleteI see the one big difference with your hike and what we have in that you get fresh water fountains along the way. We have to pack water with us.
These fresh water wells are indeed quite convenient. We have had several drinks along the way and never got sick, we must either have an iron stomach, or it is simply a good water quality...
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