Family Blog

A week ago we started a bike tour on the Rhine. We started in Karlsruhe where we went by train. The goal for the first tour was Mannheim but after 40 km (25 miles) of rain we gave up and took the train to Mannheim.

Next two days were sunny. First we drove 90 km (56 miles) to Wiesbaden - Schierstein, where we spent the evening at the harbar festival. Next day went to Koblenz and Neuwied (about 115 km or 72 miles). This was the most beautitful part of the Rhine with Loreley and many castles.

The fourth day we wanted to go the Cologne but it rained the whole day. So we took the train again (in Andernach). In the evening we visited an old brewery pub. The last day we went from Cologne to Düsseldorf, the end of our tour (70 km or 44 miles).

Because I had some days of vacation left and the weather was fine we decided to continue the Westweg last week. We started in Todtmoos and followed the sign of the Westweg (see Westweg Part 10). Before we reach Hasel (our goal for the first day) we passed a wind park (Windpark Rohrenkopf) which was still under construction.

In the evening we reach Hasel, where we stay overnight. The next day we decided to go back to Todtmoos because the public transportation in the area of the Black Forrest was not a real alternative to come back to our car. Fortunately we had a sunny day as yesterday - a perfect day for hiking.

Westweg Part 7 till 9

Most of the participants go home today and there is only a small group left which starts the tour to the Pizzo Tresero (3594m or 11800ft). We go by car to the Refugio Berni, where we start. The way to the top is difficult and tiring. On the last few meter to the Bivacco Seveso (3420m or 11200ft) there is not really a path and I was happy to reach the hut.

From there it is a small rigde which led to the Pizzo Tresero. But you shouldn't walk on it without climbing equipement, so we go back to the valley. With 7 hours it is the longest tour of the week.

back to: Friday

The starting point for today is again the parket place at Rifugio Forni. The first goal on our tour is the Rifugio Pizzino. After a break we continue to the Passo di Zebru nord (3000m or 9800ft).

On the way back we pass again the Rifugio Forni but decide to continue on a slightly different path.

back to: Thursday | next day: Saturday

We go by car to the Refugio Forni, which is the starting point for our tour today. The first stop is a wonderful lake in 2800m or 9100 ft (Lago della Manzina).

On the way forward to the Monta Confinale we had problem to find a way up the the Bivacco del Piero - the first group found a way, the 2nd group gave up and went back to the lake to wait on the other group.

back to: Wednesday | next day: Friday

Today we took the same cable car as yesterday, but took the tour to the Monte Sobretta, a mountain of a height of 3200m (10,500 ft). We were a group of 17 people and the break on top of the mountain was long enought to get a sunburn.

back to: Tuesday | next day: Thursday

On the 2nd day (Thursday) we took the cable car to the top station Sombretta (2751m). The tour for today is planned for 2 1/2 hours and not stressful but there are some passages with a steep downhill.

At about 1:00 PM we reach the hut at the top station and had a break. After lunch most of the group go back to Santa Catarina by cable car, some went downhill.

back to: Monday | next day: Wednesday

In the last week of August we hike together with friends of the Vitruvia in the Italian Alps. We were over 30 people from 8 to eighties, divided in 2 till 3 groups for the different hiking tours.

The first day we took the small tour around Santa Catarina. On the way up to the ristorante "Paradiso" a group of 20 downhill bikers crossed our way. And these were not the only biker we saw at this day (and week).

On the way back to the valley we saw also some donkeys which is not unusual for this area. It was a nice first tour for the first day of the week.

next day: Tuesday

On our vacation in the Algarve (Portugal) we visited also Cape Saint Vincent, the most south western part of Europe, also known as the end of the world. You can find there impressive cliffs, a lighthouse and the last bratwurst stand before America.

Stage Seven

Three years ago we started the Black Forest Trail in Pforzheim with stage 1 till 3. This week we continue the "Westweg" with stage 7 and started our hike at Wilhemshöhe, near Schonach. The weather was a little bit misty, but dry. And the whole trail we meet only one pair of hikers. We pass several upland moors and after 34 km we reach our goal at Thurner. We stay over night in an old farm which was run by an 80-year-old and very nice woman.

Stage Eight

Next day the weather was sunny - till Titisee. We took a break at the lake and watched the tourists from different parts of the world. When we continued our hike you could see the first clouds over the mountains. Half an hour later it was raining cats and dogs. We stopped at a cafe at the camping place and waited for the end of the rain. At Bärental there is a railway station and we decided to go back to Freiburg to our son - just before it started raining again.

Stage Nine

Next day the weather forecast promised sun till the late afternoon. So we decided to go back to Bärental to start the next stage. We pass the Feldberg (the highest mountain of the Black Forest) and climb on top of the Herzogenhorn (1415m). The trip today was an up and down (9400m up, 9300 down) through the forest. Althoug the sky was getting dark we continued the trail because we had no chance to call Manuel (no net). On a higher place where we had reception we call him but we had till 4 km to walk to reach the next road. At Weißenbachsattel near Todtmoos we waited on him with a Black Forest cake at a restaurant.