15 kms to cover….543 meters up and 548 meters down.
So today was a relatively easy day. We took a taxi from Bad Reichenhall to Bischofswiesen but the taxi driver had no idea where he was going and it was easier in the end to get out of the taxi and walk to the start of the trail. Fortunately most of the ascent was at the start of the trail and as luck would have it, there was a lovely coffee shop at the top of the climb with a view out to the mountains. The cafe owner had made a beautiful apricot cheesecake so of course we had to indulge. Most of the climb up was along gravel paths in the forest and as we reached the top of the climb the scenery changed in to lush green fields with mountains as a back drop.
We passed through lush alpine meadows, wild streams and had panoramic views of the Berchtesgadener National Park.
We walked along narrow paths with views down to the pristine alpine villages, passing very friendly cattle en route, most of them with bells around their necks. Between the cows and the church bells there was always bells of some type ringing out loud!!
We finished our walk by descending on a very steep gravelly path next to the river which led us to the lovely old village of Ramsau. You can see the very well photographed church of St Sebastian which was so pretty. I walked through the graveyard and have never seen one so well kept as this one. After eating our lunch on a bench overlooking the rushing river with the church inn the background we took a bus to Berchtesgaden. Berchtesgaden gained its wealth due to being rich in salt deposits. Being located at the foot of the Watzmann provides a graceful backdrop to the village. At 2713 meters the Watzmann is the highest peak standing entirely within germany and towers magnificently over the village.
Then we took a taxi to our hotel in Schonau called the Explorer. Not to be recommended. Our bags had not arrived and after a long walk all I wanted to do was to have a shower and get in some clean clothes!!!