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

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

In The Forest, In The Garden

30. June 201930. June 2019 hikemindedLeave a comment

Ireland: Clouds Over Sheep’s Head Lighthouse

13. May 201913. May 2019 hikeminded8 Comments

We had a winding drive to Sheep’s Head, the point of the peninsula. A beautiful short hike brought us to a small white lighthouse.

Ireland: The Best Fish&Chips In Waterville

Gallery11. May 2019 hikemindedLeave a comment

Before going back to our mountain getaway, we made a short stop at Waterville and had some (expensive but) awesome fish&chips from the Butler Arms Hotel. Mjam!

Bantry House: The Fading Beauty Of Another Era

6. May 2019 hikeminded4 Comments

When you ask me what I liked most on our short trip to Ireland, I would have Derrynane Beach, Sheep’s Head and Bantry House in mind. And I just talk about sights 😉

Bantry House is one big miracle box. Once opened, you’ll find something extraordinary in every corner, in every room and behind every curtain. I especially loved – compared to other manor houses I saw in England, Scotland and Ireland – that there is still life in it, it seams as if the residents just left for a short journey.

It’s not perfectly renovated, from the outside it even seams to be ruined. The wall papers show waves, there are family photos from the seventies, in the garden you’ll find broken statues lying around. In the stables you’ll see an old storage rack with the handwritten inscriptions of the old administrator.

And the gardens! The gulf stream climate (and the gardeners) makes them flourish as if the Carribeans would be just around the corner.

A perfect arrangement of life. Come on a visit with me and let yourself immerse in its beauty.

The Exterior and the stables of Bantry House

The interior of Bantry House

The Gardens

All I want to say with all this pictures: Don’t miss Bantry House.

Better than the Mediterranean: Derrynane Beach in Ireland

5. May 2019 hikeminded6 Comments

On this bright and sunny April day on Derrynane Beach, a woman walked past me, threw her arms in the air and shouted: “The Mediterranean has arrived in Ireland!” And while Mediterranen people would never had set foot into the water at this temperature, Irish people are quite fearless.

Derrynane Beach is on the West side of the Ring of Kerry and it’s one of the best beaches I have ever seen. Dunes, white sand, big rocks, crystal clear turquoise water. Everything asian beaches dream of.

At the end of the beach there is a small, old cemetery with a very special and serene atmosphere.