Hiking The Azores: The Mystery behind The Mistérios Negros

24. November 201921. November 2019 hikeminded9 Comments

The hike: wonderful and fascinating hike which is only around 6 kms long with an altitude change of only 100 meters, but heavens, those meters!

We started at Gruta do Natal. From here the hike starts very easily. If there was rain the days before, you should really consider to wear waterproof boots (I don’t say that frequently :)), the entire area is very wet and you won’t be able to not walk through puddles or mud on your way. Gradually the hike gets more complicated and shortly next to the misterios negros you will definitely use both of your hands and be happy about the good shoes, a pole and packing light.

You will be gratified with stunning views over silent lakes, dense and mystic underbrush and a real rainforest atmosphere. About 1,5 km before returning to Gruta do natal you’ll have a wonderful view over the hilly landscape and the misterios negros.

The Misterios Negros are streams of cold lava. People in former times weren’t able to explain what it is and so they called them Mistérios Negros – black mysteries.

If you want you can additionally climb Pico Gaspar (ca. 50m of elevation). Gruta do natal is not open on sundays and opens at 14:30 all the other days. If you are by car, go for the near fumaroles afterwards.

The misterios negros

Bye-bye Azores, we had a great time!

Hiking The Azores: Along The Coast And Through Picos Vinyards

15. November 201914. November 2019 hikeminded4 Comments

Berlin Day Hike: Birds, Mushrooms And Pumpkins In Altfriedland

Image7. October 20191. November 2019 hikeminded3 Comments

This autumn sun! It’s out rather rarely but if it’s there it shines like gold and steel. Every year, the waterbirds who will go south gather here. There is ranting, shouting and quacking everywhere and everyone gets ready for the big adventure.

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

Berlin Day Hike: Sunny Walk Around Wilkendorf and Ihlandsee

3. June 2019 hikeminded2 Comments

Location: Wilkendorf, Am Schlosssee – direction North – around Ihlandsee – back to Wilkendorf – through the village – coffee and Cake at the Golf Club – back to Am Schlosssee / Distance: 9 km / Public Transport: Strausberg, by bus direction Altlandsberg, get off at Wilkendorf, 1:30h / from city center: 55 km / East / Weather: 18 °C, sunny / Camera: Nikon D500, 18-105 mm lens
Other trails nearby