Bohemia: Big Stones, Dark Forests, Old Villages

Gallery21. August 2019 hikemindedLeave a comment

Our next hike went from Kyjov (Khaa, Langengrund) trough the valley of the rivers Krinice (Kirnitsch) and Vlci Potok over the village of Vlci Hora and back to Kyjov.

Bohemia: Mystic Pravčická Brána And Edmundova Soutěska

14. August 2019 hikeminded6 Comments

Prebischtor, Edmundsklamm, Wilde Klamm

The hike to natural stone bridge Pravčická Brána (Prebischtor) and through the canyon Edmundova Soutěska (Edmundsklamm, Wilde Klamm) along river Kamenice (Kamnitz) is probably the most famous trail in Bohemia and it is famous for a reason. The beauty of nature is breathtaking and everything looks like it directly jumped out of a fairytale. Tourism there already started in the early 19th century when (rich) people discovered nature as source of recreation. Frequently they didn’t hike themselves but were transported in palanquins through the mountains. The picturesque tavern “Falkennest” (Sokolí hnízdo, falcon nest) was build in 1826 and is still a marvelous building to visit and to have a break with traditional bohemian food. No wonder, that the Chronicles of Narnia where filmed there.

Up the mountain to Pravčická Brána

Location: Mezna Louka – Wilde Klamm – a bit by boat service – Edmundsklamm – by boat again – Hrensko – Prebischtor – Gabrielensteig (Gabrielina Cesta) – Mezna Louka / Distance: 22,5 km Weather: 20 °C, sunny, cloudy / Camera: Nikon D500, 18-105 mm lens

Bohemia: Hrad Tolštejn – Ruins Of A Castle

12. August 2019 hikeminded3 Comments

(Burg Tollenstein)

Built around the 13th century the ruins of the castle of Tolštejn is today a very famous touristic destination. Go there by car or hike from Jiřetín pod Jedlovou (Sankt Georgental).

Old picture of the castle (more history and pictures on Naturwunder in German):

jewish cemetery Berlichingen Jüdischer Friedhof

House Of Eternity: The Jewish Cemetery in Berlichingen

5. August 20195. August 2019 hikeminded5 Comments

Beth Olamin or Bet Olam is the Hebrew word for cemetery, meaning house of eternity. Unlike Christian cemeteries, the ground where the dead are buried should not be disturbed and graves should not be cleared. This means, that jewish cemeteries from the day of their inauguration, are keeping the memory of every community member for all times and are eternally growing. Eternally growing at least is not true for this sacred ground situated in Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. The first burial here was probably in 1586, the last in 1936. Jewish life was nearly extinct from the region before and during WW2.

It’s this history of course which is on my mind when letting the special atmosphere of this place resonate with my small self in this vast forest and fields in the middle of nowhere far outside the village. But as well something more. Eternity is beautiful and visible here and makes me reflect on evanescence and being reclaimed by and becoming eternal nature one time.

Other jewish cemeteries:

Kloster Schöntal: A Baroque Architecture Gem

3. August 2019 hikemindedLeave a comment

Kloster Schöntal is situated picturesquely in Schöntal (“Beautiful Valley”) in Baden-Wurttemberg between Heilbronn and Würzburg. The main structures were built between the 12th and the 17th century, amongst them a baroque abbey and a rococo convent.

Kloster Schöntal / Schöntal Monastery

The Abbey of Kloster Schöntal

A stroll through the forest along Jagst river

On our way home

Berlin Day Hike: Summer Lights Around Sternebeck

29. July 2019 hikeminded2 Comments

We had a short walk around beautiful wild lakes near Sternebeck including an outdoor train museum and a swim at the end.

Through the forest and around the lakes

Harnekop

The train museum, a cat and a time machine

Cooling-off in the lake

Location: Sternebeck Kiefernweg – along the rails (south of the rails) – back to Kiefernweg through the forest to stern becker See – Norther shore – Northwestern shore of Schloßsee – Harnekop Hauptstrasse – across from Harnekoper Strasse reenter the forest on your right – Southern shore of Sternebecker See / Distance: 6 km / Public Transport: Very complicated and at approximately 2h, Eberswalde, Wriezen, Prötzel, Sternebeck / from city center: 58 km / East / Weather: 29 °C, sunny / Camera: Nikon D500, 18-105 mm lens

Berlin Day Hike: Marvels Of The Forest

22. July 2019 hikeminded3 Comments

Today we walked around Herrensee near Strausberg and discovered lots of small wonders in the freshly nourished underbrush after the strong rain last night.

Berlin Day Hike: Cloudy Hike Along Maxsee

8. July 2019 hikeminded4 Comments

Between Buckow and Fürstenwalde/Spree you find the small village of Hoppegarten (not to confuse with Hoppegarten next to Berlin). From there you can take a beautiful walk around the lakes.

Location: Hoppegarten/Mark, Am Maxsee, South-Eastern shore, short detour to the marshlands on the most southern point – go back on the North-Western shore / Distance: 13 km / Public Transport: Berlin – Strausberg by S-Bahn, by bus direction Hoppegarten (you need to call the bus), 1:30h / from city center: 25 km / East / Weather: 21 °C, cloudy / Camera: Nikon D500, 18-105 mm lens
Other trails nearby

Berlin by Night

2. July 2019 hikeminded2 Comments

We had the hottest day today and I stood inside and slept because there were Sahara-like temperatures outside. When it turned dark and a little less hot, I felt the need to go outside for a while to get the summer-in-Berlin-feeling. The yellow glow of the streetlights still does it even when everything else has changed a lot in the last years.