Walk With God - The Still Waters

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

 He leadeth me beside the still waters. 

He restoresth my soul, He leadeth me in the path of righteous

For His name sake.

 Psalm 23:1-3

Photograph was taken at Lake Plansee near Reutte, Austria

Sunday Stillness

Austria - Stuiben Waterfalls and Lake Plansee

If you're near Reutte, Austria two places you need to see are Stuiben Waterfall and Lake Plansee. 

Small chapels like this dot the landscape. This one was near the car park
at the trail to the falls.

The inside of the chapel was almost as ornate as the big churches

Stuiben Falls

Even though it was a fairly steep climb to the falls the scenery was gorgeous. Something about looking at the clear flowing Archbach river and the towering mountains takes your mind off the climb. 

On the trail to Stuiben Falls

Stuiben Falls

We were there!

Lake Plansee

I think if I'm ever here in the summer this would be the place to come. I'm sure boats would be in abundance on the water but in the cool of October the lake was quiet. Quiet and beautiful.

...and He leads me beside the still waters.

Lace up and take a walk to somewhere new!

What Goes Up Must Come Down - Ehrenberg Castle Complex in Reutte, Austria

A series on our trip to Germany and Austria in October 2014

In my previous post I wrote about walking up to the Schlosskopf. 

In this post I'll tell you about how we got down...

As they say what goes up must come down. According to the map you can either take the long way down (the way we come up) or take the short cut. 

A 15 minute walk down. So we opted for the short way. 

When I say down...

I mean down...

Like straight down...

This is the beginning of the trail. I feel pretty happy.

Not so happy now.

Just praying I don't break my ankle...

This was a very steep trail with lots of trip hazards in the form of rocks and roots. 

Take note - Good hiking boots and walking sticks would have made this trail easier to navigate and also don't ever wear bifocals when walking down a steep trail. Half way down John told me to take off my glasses. That made it easier to get my footing but this trail was a killer!

According to the map this was a 15 minute trail. Not sure how long it took us but it was closer to 30 - 45 minutes. 

The funny thing was that coming down we met an elderly gentleman coming up. When I say elderly I mean in his eighties and he was walking UP this trail. He wasn't even out of breath! I felt slightly ashamed for the whining I was doing.

At the bottom of the trail we were rewarded with the sight of the Ehrenberg ruins. 

Lace up, grab your sticks and take the fast way down!

Walking UP to the Schlosskopf Castle at the Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble in Reutte, Austria

Up is a word you'll hear a lot as you travel through Bavaria and Tyrol. Not only up but if you ask the locals everything seems to be just a 15 minute walk...

The reality is you can't travel through the Alps without going up. But when you're a Florida girl used to walking miles and miles at sea level UP takes on a whole new meaning!

So as we headed out to walk to the Ehrenberg Castle Ruins we knew we'd be walking up to the top of a mountain. And up it was.

BTW I say mountain, the locals say hill. I guess it's all in your perspective.

A little history before we begin our walk.

The Ehrenberg Castle Ensemble is a grouping of old buildings and castles that had pretty much gone to seed. Beginning in 1971 Friedl Schennach from Reutte began a rescue operation and in 2001 the European Castle Museum Ehrenberg Association was founded to preserve the complex which includes the  Ehrenberg ruin, the Schlosskopf, Claudia Fortress and the Klause Toll House.

• Burgruine Ehrenberg (Ehrenberg ruin) - Constructed in 1293 under Duke Meinrad II established the northern border of Tyrol. 
• Hermitage Ehrenberg (Klause Toll House) - In 1480 it served as a military road block and a customs house. This now serves as the museum.
• Fort Claudia - Named after the Tyrolean Archduchess Claudia it was built during her reign between 1639 and 1645. Fort Claudia sits on the mountain ridge opposite the Ehrenberg ruin.
• Stronghold Schlosskopf - the big daddy sitting on top of the overlooking mountain. Built between 1733 and 1741 it never gained importance and was shut down in 1782.

From the left on the highest mountain is Schlosskopf, on the next mountain is Ehhrenberg, in the valley Ehrenberg Klause,
across the valley Fort Claudia.

At the entrance to Hermitage Ehrenberg (Klause Toll House)

Walking to the ruins is free but there is a parking fee of 2 euro.  The museum is described as a hands-on-museum where you can experience the thrilling history of the middle ages. Looks like it would be fun for the kids. We didn't go into the museum because time was limited and we came to hike the mountain.TIP: Get an AKTIV Card from your hotel. There's no cost for the card and you can get into many places, including this museum, for free. 

Going up to Schlosskopf castle

Another part of the trail going up to Schlosskopf

Beautiful views from the trail

Another view from the trail

Interesting signs along the way told the history and folklore of the area

Das Goldloch - The Golden Hole

There are many small caves in the rock face of the castle hill and legend says that this particular cave holds a treasure of a lump of gold. Only those who have a pure, honest, golden heart are able to seize the gold. All others will be met with the bite of a snake.  

Well, I guess we know someone's not pure of heart...

Stronghold Schlosskopf

 According to the map it was a 45 minute walk up to Schlosskopf. I think it took us a good bit longer.  The path was easy and clear, not a lot of roots or rocks to walk over. However it was steadily up all the way with a number of switchbacks. I have to admit that although I walk for miles on flat land the incline and the altitude got the best of me. I had to make a few stops to catch my breath but I made it!

It was well worth the walk. The view from the top was spectacular!

Gorgeous view from Schlosskopf

Unobstructed view of the surrounding area

From Schlosskopf Castle looking down on Ehrenberg ruin, the Toll house (in the valley) and across to Fort Claudia. 

Look closely at the picture above. You can just barely make out the cables running from base of Ehrenberg over to Fort Claudia. This will be the Highline 179 the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. Opens at the end of 2014. We'll have to make a trip back to walk across.


We made it to the top but the walk down is another story which I'll share in the next post.

What Goes Up Must Come Down


Lace up and walk up a mountain (or hill)!

I sharing at:

Eating at the Hotel Maximilian

Eating at the Hotel Maximilian

I decided before beginning this trip that I was going to eat and enjoy myself. And I did! 

We did plenty of walking so it was no problem. 

Dinner

ZWIEBELROSTBRATEN vom Österreichischen Qualitätsrind Bratkartoffeln, Bohnenbouquet  

(Roast loin of beef with onions and gravy, potatoes, green beans wrapped in bacon.)

 This beef dish was so good. The meat was tender and the gravy flavorful.

Yes I cleaned my plate!

John had the salmon on a bed of potatoes in cream sauce.

Our first dessert in Austria...

Ofenwarmer Apfelstrudel mit Eis und Sahne

Apple strudel with fresh apples, ice cream and whipped cream.

 Decadent and delicious! 

We'll have to lace up and walk this off tomorrow!

Ehenbichl, Austria - Hotel Maxmilian

A series on our trip to Germany and Austria October 2014

Our first hotel for this trip is the Hotel Maximilian in Ehenbichl on the outskirts of Reutte and very near the Ehrenberg ruins castle complex. This is by far my favorite hotel on the entire trip.

We were greeted by the sound of cow bells as the cows were driven home to somewhere up behind the hotel. What a lovely peaceful welcome.

\

Cows in the pasture across the street from our hotel.

The farmer driving the cows up the hill.

The hotel itself was covered with gorgeous flowers and leafy vines. By far the best part was meeting Gabi, the owner. Gabi was so sweet and energetic. She obviously knows and loves the area and happily shared her knowledge with us. What a wonderful introduction to this lovely country.

Owner Gabi joined us at the table. 

The hotel had an up to date old world charm. Our room was small but comfortable and so quiet we had to turn on the bathroom fan so we could sleep!

I loved this room. Small but comfortable and oh so quiet!

Small, clean updated bathroom.

From the balcony outside our room we had a clear view of the Ehrenberg Castle Complex. It was especially beautiful at night.

Beautiful hotel, friendly staff and delicious food. Hotel Maximilian is a great place to stay!

Check out this post and see some of the wonderful food we enjoyed while staying here.

If you're going to be in the Reutte, Austria area check out this hotel. You won't be sorry.

Hotel Maximilian