Austria: Steep Paths, Great Views (Sept. 15)

On Friday, the 15th of September, it was warmer than the previous two days - just right for a hike that would keep us largely in the woods.

Kanisfluh seen from our room at 20 to 8:00 that morning

looking towards the valley

about half an hour later

Tiny private chapel not far from the hotel

The uphill bit from the bottom of our valley to the Wendelin-Kapelle (chapel) was really steep, and I was full of admiration for an elderly couple coming downhill - I did not envy them the rocky path, and thought it wise that they were using walking poles. I was panting and puffing much more than they!

A different view of the always recognisable Kanisfluh

Wendelin-Kapelle

The chapel was locked, and so we only took a few pictures from the outside and then moved on.

We were rewarded for our efforts with a beautiful view from the settlement called Schnepfegg (just a handful of houses, really):

I loved that view and could have stood and stared for a long time.

Just as were about to begin the steep descent towards the village of Schnepfau, two hikers were making their way towards us - and who should they be but O.K.'s retired colleague and his wife, the ones we'd visited on Monday. Group photos were taken, and a nice chat ensued before we went downhill and they walked on, remaining on top of the ridge.

Schnepfau church was open, and after a look inside, we sat on a bench facing it and having a drink of water.

On we walked on a very comfortable path along the stream called Ach at the bottom of the valley all the way to Mellau (where we'd also been on Monday. This time, we did not take the funicular up the mountain, but the bus to Bezau, were we changed into another bus to Bizau.

We made it to the hotel in time for our 4:00 pm sauna slot, welcome after 12 km of walking - not that much in terms of distance, but believe me, the up and downhill bits were not easy.

Our four course dinner was as delicious as the evenings before, and it was no suprise that we were ready for a good night's sleep shortly after 9:00 pm!

Austria: Three In One (Sept. 14)

After Wednesday, the rain continued for a little while on Thursday (the 14th of September) morning. It was not going to get any warmer than 20 C (68 F), but the rest of the day was forecast as dry. 

Still, we knew that the rocky and uneven paths leading up and down mountains would be slippery, and therefore dangerous. We wanted to walk nonetheless, and decided on one of the round tours described in a leaflet we had picked up at the hotel.

We ended up walking not one, but three such tours - a total of 15 km, and all of it beautiful and interesting. A short rest in our room followed, then a quick turn in the sauna before dinner and an early bedtime.

Here are the pictures we took that day:

Views from our room at 7:55 that morning.

Starting on the first of three circular walks, just before 11:00.

meadows around Bizau

into the woods

Typical house for the area; not inhabited all year round anymore.

My new friends and I!

View of Bizau with church; elementary school and our hotel to its left.

Walking along the bottom of the valley towards Reuthe, the next village.

Looking back towards Bizau

Church in Reuthe, with Medieval murals dating back to 1420-1450

Back in our room, another view of Kanisfluh