Now, where were we viz-a-viz dialogue the last time I/we corresponded? I believe taking moderate refreshment at the Arthurhaus and a day’s break from trekking parts of the Bavarian Alps in climes fit for purpose but perhaps unusual for the local population, who have had to put away their snow shoes and don the thongs!
We continue our journey down to the Salzach Valley, with river of same name meandering through the verdant hills, pastures and alpine forests. Pretty much a gradual descent of a 1,000 or so metres but depending on who you believe not necessarily any easier than going the other way!
We arrive at Werfen where a short train ride later we arrive at our overnight stay, Golling. Another good day of tramping culminating in weary legs and the desire to determine if Golling does refreshment any differently to other parts; it does not. Weather – perfect.
The final day of our hike has arrived! After this we not only carry our day packs but our luggage as well; no doubt we will also encounter in more numbers the tourist throng that in the main eschews nature and physical endeavour for selfies and the erosion of whatever is on their bucket-list this week.
Did I just accuse the masses of lacking depth? A bit unfair, we did see one other hiker yesterday. Back to the journey; the itinerary being to leave Golling for Mt Jenner where we ride a gondola down to Königssee and the same pension from where it all started.
The journey starts off easy enough by walking through the Bluntautal Valley for a few hours. Nice enough with glimpses of mountains and following the ever-present burbling brook. The penny section abruptly ceases however at a meeting with a narrower track and the stuff that separates the wheat from the chaff commences.
We are looking at a 1,400m elevation rise up to a mountain pass and the Carl von Stahlhaus.
Four hours later and I reckon the old man is not only juicy-fruited but starts mumbling in either Swahili or left handed Braille something that sounded like he was “too old for this”. To be fair it was both a very scenic and very tough walk. To further add to the now incoherent ramblings and wanderings of the old man, we’d only crossed from Osterreich into Deutschland and the Carl von Stahlhaus was not the end of the line!
After pumping up the old man’s tyres I consent to provide some sustenance at Carl’s joint – cake and apple juice later and the old man makes a comeback Lazarus would be proud of and we push on to Mt Jenner, an hour or so away.
We view Lake Königssee from Mt Jenner with the aforementioned masses and enjoy a gondola ride down the precipitous slope. Weather – perfect.
The end of this road! Our Bavarian adventure is suddenly over and we celebrate mightily by availing ourselves of the local hospitality. All in all a walk that offered plenty, took plenty, provided much insight into alpine living (non-winter), opened the old man’s eyes that it wasn’t unusual to eat cheese and cold meats for breakfast accompanied with schnapps, and consented to supply us with what can only be described as ideal weather to enjoy all of this, and more.
(NB: worth pointing out that except for some locals not too many 77 year olds are both starting this hike and finishing it, one way or another!)
We start our Lucerne adventure tomorrow, but more on that next time. Auf wiedersehen!