Daniel

The call of hiking boots is louder than ever after weeks of abstinence. Paths partly frozen, partly thawed mud challenge the newly awakened footwear. The trail itself falls into the category of: doable, but not essential. Few highlights, the most striking of which being the view of Eichicht from the

Tenneberg Castle marks the start of a winter hike on the Benedictine Trail, which connects Waltershausen, Reinhardsbrunn, Friedrichroda, and Bad Tabarz. Frosty temperatures meet crisp, firm ground. On the ridge path above the herb meadow, the Inselsberg mountain appears in the distance, clad in white

Mud, pain, and pride. These have been my most dominant impressions of this area so far, thanks to Legend of Cross. Now it's time to focus more on the expansive landscape. Starting at sunrise from the Kulturscheune (cultural barn) in Mühlberg, I headed straight for Mühlburg Castle. The snack bar was still

An autumn storm and rain are not ideal conditions for a hike. Nevertheless, it has its charm. The rain stopped, but the wind stayed and rustled loudly through the canopy. Once you reach the Raven Forest, things get playful. The telescope, the speaking tube, the suspension bridge, the round table, and

Starting in Wiebach, I join the nature trail near Brotterode. Fog obscures the Inselsberg. At the Reitbahnhütte, I leave the nature trail again, heading towards Schartekopf. From up here, the colorful autumnal canopy is impressive, the fog heralds the shortening days. The loop leads through beautiful

Bustle in Oberhof. Peace in the surrounding forest. At the Gasthof Café in Kanzlersgrund, I enter the Oberschönau rock hiking trail. At the Hohe Stein, I have my first tea with a view. At the Hohe Möst, I have the next. At the 12 Apostles, I gaze at the colorful treetops. The scent of autumn is omnipresent

Past the Dichterhain and on to the Bermerhütte. The first view also provides the first rough overview of the tour. On the Rennsteig trail at Jubelhain, you can replenish your water reserves at the spring. The Wachstein offers a great view into the distance. The Wartburg is on the left, the village of

Admittedly, I had major doubts before planning this tour. It makes a difference whether you go it alone or with a group. It wasn't the length but the elevation gain on a mountain path that was sometimes very difficult that worried me. Especially in unfamiliar terrain where bears live. That's the dry

What a jewel, Lake Bohinj! The first impression is impressive. The sun is shining and makes the waves sparkle. A wonderful day for swimming, but first, I lace up my hiking boots. My route takes me slightly above the lake, where a pleasant sense of forest tranquility welcomes the hiker. Time and again

Bled is no longer an insider tip, it seems. Parking fees of €2.50 per hour are steep. However, I chose the first spot I found on Seliška cesta Street. The souvenir shops, both "I love Bled" and "From Slovenia", also have a nice selection, but the prices are steep. I started recording before I started