In today’s recount, I delve into a recent hiking venture. I write about hiking a mountain that we had previously planned to explore but were deterred by friends’ warnings about treacherous winter conditions. Last week, with the snow melted, we embarked on our journey.
Our adventure started with a walk through the quaint village nestled at the mountain’s base. Right after leaving the village and reaching some fields, the grandeur of the Karwendel range greeted us – a majestic backdrop of snow-capped peaks framed by vibrant yellow blossoms and charming huts. It was an enchanting and unexpected prelude to our adventure. Hardly ever had I such a start to a hike like this time!
Before we started the ascent, we paused near a playground bench. We got ready for the climb, packed our jackets and got annoyed at the litter strewn about. I took a moment to pick up most of the litter, true to the motto “always leave a place cleaner than you found it”. At least, the next hiker will find the place now cleaner than we did.
As we began our climb, we traversed through picturesque forests adorned with youthful beech trees, following a gentle incline along a narrow path. The landscape transitioned as we ascended, with spruces dominating the higher altitudes. Soon, we encountered the section of the trail that our friends mentioned: a narrow path tracing the edge of a steep slope. While we coped well in the current conditions and even enjoyed ourselves, the potential danger of avalanches or slipping in wintry weather was obvious. Shortly after, the trail took a couple of bends into the forest and back into more friendly terrain.
As forecasted, a light rain shower briefly interrupted our ascent. But with umbrellas and rain jackets at the ready, we scarcely noticed its passing. Upon reaching the summit, the rain ceased, affording us a moment of respite to savor a well-deserved snack. Though the panoramic vista from the peak was captivating, I found capturing its essence elusive.
Descending from the summit, we continued our loop along forest roads and muddy trails, encountering few fellow travelers. A testament to our choice of the less-traveled path. Along the way, we crossed a breathtaking alpine meadow. We were overwhelmed by the beauty of the scene.
Delighted by the beauty we had discovered so unexpectedly, we set off on the final section of the trail. The sun had found its way back to us by now and we followed dirt roads flanked by lush green fields of yellow blossom, all set against the impressive backdrop of the Karwendel peaks. With an altitude difference of 750 meters, a distance of approx. 14 km and wonderful views, this little adventure was definitely one of the best we did this spring.