Tag Archive for: Mountains

View of the Great Ahornboden

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Grosser Ahornboden, Eng Valley, Karwendel, Austria

After the climb from the Hagelhütten to the Plumsjochhütte and a long rest, my family and I didn’t head straight back down into the Risstal valley. Instead, we added the panoramic trail via the Hasentalm to make it a circular tour. Bit by bit, the last of the clouds cleared from the mountain peaks, revealing a fantastic view of the Karwendel summits. The path leads slightly uphill to the north-west through sunny mountain pine terrain below the Satteljoch, opening up a wide panorama from the Risstal in the west, across the Eng valley and the Grossen Ahornboden, to the Plumsjochhütte in the east. The harsh light and airy clouds created varied shadow patterns on the meadows and forests, making the colours shine rich and sharp – helped by the clean air following the rainy days. Read more

From the Riss Valley to the Plumsjoch Hut

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Plumsjoch Hut in front of Gamsjoch and Laliderer Falk, Riss Valley, Karwendel, Austria

The hike from the Riss Valley, from the Hagel Huts to the Plumsjoch Hut, is well-suited for a Sunday trip with children. The 600 metres of ascent are easy to manage on the steadily, but never too steeply, rising path, and as a (mid-way) destination, a stop at the rustic Plumsjoch Hut and the magnificent view of Gamsjoch, Laliderer Falk, Engtal, and the main Karwendel range are enticing. Read more

Munich Olympic Tower with Alpine Panorama

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Sunday excursion to the Olympic Tower, Munich, Germany

On a gloriously blue winter Sunday, the Olympic Tower in Munich attracts a large number of visitors, eager to admire the view of Olympic Park, the city of Munich and the magnificent panorama stretching from the Berchtesgaden Alps in the east, across the Karwendel and Zugspitze, all the way to the Allgäu region. Not all visitors leave the tower without a trace, as the numerous graffiti attest.

Roman Villa near Portoferraio

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View from the Roman Villa of the plain near Portoferraio, Elba, Tuscany, ItalyRising from the fertile plain south of Portoferraio on Elba is a hill where a Roman villa was built in the 1st century BC – the largest on the Tuscan islands. The remains of the extensive, excavated and partly very artfully constructed walls and a bathing complex reveal the former luxury of the site; the magnificent panoramic views of Portoferraio, San Giovanni and the north-western Elba panorama with Castello del Volterraio greatly enhance the appeal of this exposed location.

You can find more pictures of Elba in the “Elba” gallery

The Bay of Portoferraio

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Panoramic view of Bagnaia and Castel del Volterraio, Elba, Tuscany, Italy

The bay of Portoferraio at Elba merges into fertile plains in the south, where fruit, vegetables and also excellent wine are grown, e.g. at the La Chiusa winery. I follow the road from Portoferraio south-east through the plains to the “Punte delle Grotte” hill, which offers wonderful views, e.g. of Portoferraio’s old town, the plains near San Giovanni. Even the ancient Romans knew how to make use of the location and built a large villa there, the remains of which have been excavated and can be visited today. Read more

Panoramic view from Castello del Volterraio

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Panoramic view from Castello del Volterraio over the Bay of Portoferraio and the west of Elba, Tuscany, Italy

From the ruins of Castello del Volterraio above the Bay of Portoferraio, the view sweeps from the north-east of Elba far into the west to the Monte Capanne massif. The short but steep climb from the winding road between Magazzini and Rio nell’Elba, just before it narrows at the top of the pass and leads through a rock in a single lane, is especially worth it in the early morning or late afternoon when the low sun bathes the island in fascinating colours – or as a romantic spot for a sunset picnic.

You can find more pictures of Elba in the “Elba” gallery

Castello del Volterraio on Elba

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Castello del Volterraio, Elba, Tuscany, ItalyOne of the most beautiful viewpoints on Elba is the ruins of the Castello del Volterraio fortress above the bay of Portoferraio. The fortress dates back to the 11th century and sits impregnably atop a steep 400m-high mountain. The walls are barely distinguishable from the rocks, so the fortress only becomes recognisable as a building as you approach it. From the winding road between Magazzini and Rio nell’Elba, a simple but steep and sweaty path without shade leads up through the macchia in about 30 to 45 minutes. The fortress could previously only be entered via a drawbridge; today, a “secret” passage – a small opening in the wall at the north-western corner – leads inside and onto the battlements. The climb is particularly recommended for the fantastic panorama of the island of Elba from the north-west to Monte Capanne.

You can find more photos of Elba in the “Elba” gallery