Tag Archive for: Mountains

Hiking on the west coast of Elba

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Hike to Monte San Bartolomeo near Chiessi, Elba, Tuscany, ItalyIn the west of Elba lies the Monte Capanne massif, the island’s highest mountain at 1,018 m. From all sides of the island, fertile valleys or rugged ridges rise from the coast towards the summit, offering a variety of hikes on secluded paths.

A short and scenic tour to Monte San Bartolomeo begins at Chiessi, a quiet little village on the west coast. I’d recommend doing this in the (late) afternoon to enjoy the evening sun and the sunset. I parked in the village near the church, where the path quickly climbs past houses and gardens. On a ridge (to the left), I rapidly gained height and reached the pass between the two peaks. To the south, I looked down into the Pomonte valley, through which another tour runs from the coast right up to the summit of Monte Capanne.

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Romantic Wildensee at Kranzberg

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Lake Wildensee on the Hoher Kranzberg with a view of the Karwendel, Mittenwald, Bavaria, Germany

After ‘conquering’ the summit of Hoher Kranzberg, the circular route via the romantic Wildensee back to the car park at Luttensee or Mittenwald is ideal for a family outing or bike tour. As the path winds through rolling meadows and light mountain forest, we soon reach the small lake with the magnificent mountain panorama of the Northern Karwendel Range behind it. A small raft lies on the shore, which guests of the nearby Berggasthof Wildensee can use to punt out onto the lake for a swim. The surrounding meadows offer plenty of space for playing and resting. In the late afternoon, the light conditions are perfect for beautiful photos; it also becomes increasingly peaceful for a relaxed day in the mountains. Exactly where this picture was taken, there’s a small bench. Once you sit down, you won’t want to leave in a hurry…

Hoher Kranzberg, Karwendel

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View from Hoher Kranzberg (1,391 m) of Mittenwald and the Northern Karwendel Range, Bavaria, Germany

On a glorious summer’s day – not too hot, with a blue and white, high-contrast sky and intense light – we chose Hoher Kranzberg near Mittenwald as the perfect family excursion destination for Sunday. The path doesn’t climb too many metres in altitude and would also be well-suited for smaller children; the ‘Buckelwiesen’ (hummock meadows) offer plenty of space to run around and rest areas, there are many refreshment stops along the way, and for those who don’t usually get much contact with nature, a barefoot path has also been set up. Read more

The black beaches of Campania

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On the black beach of Baia Domizia with a view of the Aurunci Mountains, Campania, Italy

North-west of Naples, the Campanian coast stretches from Monte di Procida to the Gulf of Gaeta. The region is less spectacular than, for example, the Amalfi Coast, but it still has its charm. Here, too, you’ll find many remains of a turbulent volcanic history, such as the fumaroles of the Solfatara in the Phlegraean Fields or the former Roccamonfina volcano. As a result, the land is not only blessed with fertile soil but also boasts magnificent black beaches, like this one at a recommended campsite near Baia Domizia. A little further north near Gaeta, the peaks of the Aurunci Mountains, a karst limestone range, suddenly rise up behind the coast and mark the border with Lazio.

The Aurunci Mountains

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Ascent below Mt Altino to the Redentore, Aurunci Mountains, Campania, Italy

The Aurunci Mountains, a karst limestone range, lie on the border of Lazio and Campania. To the west, the Via Appia runs through the Itri Valley, which Goethe must have passed through on his first Italian journey. To the north-east, the Autostrada del Sole A1 runs through the hinterland. Since 1997, the area has been designated as the Aurunci Mountains Natural Park. This low mountain range sees few visitors, even though it’s excellent for hiking and mountain biking; there are numerous marked roads, hiking trails and tracks that offer quite a challenge. The national park map provides a good overview of hiking trails, mountain bike routes, historical sites and points of interest. Read more

Walking through the alleys of Positano

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Fishing boats on the beach in Positano, Amalfi Coast, Campania, Italy

The narrow streets of Positano on the cliffs of the western Amalfi Coast offer little room for vehicles, let alone parking spaces; your best bet is to park above the town centre near the panoramic road and wander down to the beach via the many stairways, passages and winding alleys through Positano’s cubist sea of houses covering the steep mountainsides. Every so often I pass inviting restaurants and bars, charming hotels, old palazzos and shady spots to rest, which I’ll certainly be longing for during the climb back up in the heat of a summer’s day. Positano is no unknown secret; former Chancellor Schröder and other celebrities, the international jet set, artists and early travellers on their Grand Tour have all contributed to the reputation of this impressive place.

View of Anthéor and Cap Roux

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The Bay of Agay with the settlement of Anthéor and Cap Roux, a mountain of the Estérel Massif, Côte d'Azur, France

From Cap Dramont, the view stretches across the Bay of Agay with the settlement of Anthéor and the Pic de Cap Roux, a mountain in the Estérel Massif. The Côte d’Azur coast is so contrasting; on one hand, it’s urban, noisy, and densely populated like Cannes, Nice, etc., while on the other, you find quiet and more natural areas such as the Estérel Massif and the Côte d’Or with its impressive coastal road. In Agay and Anthéor, there are also few architectural blights, but above all, the nature park attracts visitors for hiking, climbing, and mountain biking. More pictures of Cap Dramont, the Estérel Nature Park, and the Côte d’Azur can be seen in the ‘France’ gallery.