A visit of the Taunus mountain range

Taunus is a low mountain range in the state of Hesse, located north of Frankfurt, its tallest peak being Großer Feldberg at not even 880m. 

 

On the opposite hill lies Königstein with its famous castle ruin from the 12th century.

We spent a weekend in the area, exploring medieval cities, a castle ruin and Roman remains on foot and on four wheels.

While Roland preferred to indulge in the hotel's amenities, I went hiking in the Wisper Valley.

Visiting another historic site: Idstein, a timber-frame city with several buildings older than 600 years.

 

Over all it was a nice getaway for a weekend but the quality of the hiking trails were a bit underwhelming.

An exercise in escapism

This world seems to be spinning out of control, and (for me) the only way out is heading into the woods.

I am a finisher, yet again!

This is not America...

On the past two weekends I continued with the program and am happy to report that the Alemanni Trail is now history. Here are some sightseeing highlights:

Castle Frankenstein, where Mary Shelly got her inspiration for her famous novel.

Castle ruin Tannenberg, nothing but view

Castle Battenberg, foundation of the Mountbatten dynasty and their burial chapel

Abbey ruin Heiligenberg, a former convent

Castle Alsbach, home of the peacock

Castle Auerbach in the dark, and alas, closed

Castle Lichtenberg, lovely Renaissance on a mountain peak

Villa Rustica Haselburg, what have the Romans ever done for us?

Einhard Basilica, a very old abbey ruin (around year 800 something)

Castle Fürstenau, a former moated castle

Michelstadt half timber old town, and even older than the abbey

In average one sight every couple of miles.