16.9 kms today and 979 meters up and 1040 meters down!! The ascents and descents made today’s walk the toughest of all six walks. We had to go back to Ramsau to commence today’s walk and we had to climb the path that we have come down yesterday along by the river. Somehow it’s almost worse when you know what’s ahead of you. Thank goodness we had an early start because we knew today was going to be a challenging day. We followed the brine pipeline which is transporting salt from the salt mines, along the foot of the Watzmann. As luck would have it again we found a lovely place to have coffee and cake looking out over Ramsau and the mountains.
Then onwards through a lot of forest paths which was relatively easy. However looming in the background was the knowledge that we were going to have to climb a 1000 meters very soon. It was really tough going but I was determined to keep climbing up!! Geoff did very well going up and generously stopped to give me a rest on a regular basis. The ascent consisted of wider gritty roads and small narrow windy forest paths with lots of tree routes and big rocks. It’s best not to look up or you might turn around and go down again!
At the summit we stopped for a coffee and water at the Grunsteinhutte Inn and took in the views of the valley and the mountains. Unfortunately the descent was difficult due to previous landslides and was quite dangerous in parts. However once we got down past the debris of the landslides we passed the famous Konigssee bobsleigh and sledge run. Then we crossed the Konigsseer Ache river via the old wooden bridge and walked along the banks of the Konigssee lake in to Konigssee, a lovely old village sitting on the edge of the lake. After an ice cream we strolled back to our hotel. What a great 6 days of walking. Such an achievement.
So we walked about 100 kms in the 6 days. And tomorrow we’re off to the Eagle’s Nest. More on that later………
Thank you to Geoff, my fellow hiker, who patiently waited for me and listened to me sighing each time an ascent appeared on our hikes!!!