Today's hike was a killer for us - being our 3rd day of walking. The 13km hike started off from a car park on the outskirts of Bad Blankenburg situated in the Shwarza Valley. After yesterday's reasonably easy hike the group were not going to get away with an easy walk again.
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What goes uphill must go downhill eventually! I took a tumble later on.
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We headed up and along the sides of the valley and back down into the valley via steep tracks. At one point going downhill, I slipped and fell onto my back, skinning my hand during the fall. Fortunately my backpack cushioned my landing otherwise I would have had a very sore back. I've had a sore neck though, from the fall - possibly a bit of whiplash.
Half way during the walk we had to cross a river. Fortunately it was shallow (ankle to knee deep) but our walking guide very kindly provided waterproof containers for walkers to put their cameras/watches/valuables to keep them dry just in case the owners slipped and fell in the river. Two elderly walkers had difficulty crossing the river so others helped them, step by step - for the lady but the man ended crawling across on his bum with some guidance. He was very shortsighted and, on walking, looked terribly unsteady on his legs as if he was unsure as to where to put them. A few brave walkers took the opportunity to cool off in the river, sitting in the river or splashing water over themselves. Then it was back to walking again - up the side of the valley and heading in the direction of the car park.
Towards the end of the walk we stopped for a break at castle ruins overlooking the valley. It was at this point that the walkers had the choice of going an extra 5km to a viewpoint or head back to the car park. Paul and I were quite tired and footsore (i.e. very unfit!!) so we accompanied 4 other walkers who opted out of walking the extra few kilometers.
Once back at the carpark the other 4 walkers headed for a dip in the river whilst waiting for the rest of the group to come back. Paul and I had to do a bit of shopping so we parted company to look for a grocery shop. After we finished we went back to the carpark but the rest of the group had still not come back so we decided not to wait for them. They were going to a restaurant on the way home, which we saw on the way back to Cursdorf, but we decided to settle for a pizza instead, at a different place. Yum.
More Pictures
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| Gorgeous views over the Shwarza Valley |
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| Time for a break from the uphill walk |
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| Walkers' shelter |
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A woman gets a helping hand. The gentleman sitting on a rock on the far side ended
up crossing the river rock by rock on his bum, with a bit of guidance from other walkers. |
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| The lady has got a cross in the end, The chap too, eventually. |
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| Time to relax in the river a bit. Cool and lovely! |
Half way during the walk we had to cross a river. Fortunately it was shallow (ankle to knee deep) but our walking guide very kindly provided waterproof containers for walkers to put their cameras/watches/valuables to keep them dry just in case the owners slipped and fell in the river. Two elderly walkers had difficulty crossing the river so others helped them, step by step - for the lady but the man ended crawling across on his bum with some guidance. He was very shortsighted and, on walking, looked terribly unsteady on his legs as if he was unsure as to where to put them. A few brave walkers took the opportunity to cool off in the river, sitting in the river or splashing water over themselves. Then it was back to walking again - up the side of the valley and heading in the direction of the car park.
Towards the end of the walk we stopped for a break at castle ruins overlooking the valley. It was at this point that the walkers had the choice of going an extra 5km to a viewpoint or head back to the car park. Paul and I were quite tired and footsore (i.e. very unfit!!) so we accompanied 4 other walkers who opted out of walking the extra few kilometers.
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