Travels by Train: Eschenlohe and the Alps

A view of Eschenlohe during a Saturday hike

We've been talking about visiting the Alps since before we moved down from Hamburg. Larry grew up near the Rockies in Canada, and has been craving a big dose of mountain scenery. 

So it's great that we're an easy train ride away--whether here in Germany or just across the border to Austria or Switzerland. 

A few weeks ago, Larry had a great idea--watch the Perseid meteor shower somewhere in the Alps, away from city light pollution. Natural phenomenon and natural wonders, all in one trip!

View of an Alpine church from our guesthouse

Since it would be just a quick weekend getaway, I wanted someplace close, but with few distractions. 

I found what I was looking for in Eschenlohe, a town of about 1,500 people in Germany's famous Garmisch-Partenkirchen region. 

Eschenlohe is only an hour away, with a couple of natural attractions and little else to do but enjoy the scenery. 

We went this past weekend, when the meteor showers were supposed to be at their peak. Unfortunately, Friday rain meant no meteor viewing that evening, but the rain held off enough for a couple of great hiking expeditions on Saturday. 

The clouds hung around, however, meaning no meteor sightings on Saturday night, either. Thankfully we got some sunny sky on Sunday morning before we headed back to Munich--the perfect way to end a lovely trip. 

This is where we stayed--the adorable Villa Bergkristall. Fantastic hosts in an authentic guest house.

There were several houses
around town that were decorated like
this one.

Our cozy room

Our first hike on Saturday was to the Asamklamm gorge on the Eschenlaine river.

For our second hike on Saturday we headed in the opposite direction--up above the town.

We survived the 800+-meter climb to Heldenkreuz, for a spectacular view of the valley.

For reference from the ground, the

Heldenkreuz cross is that 

white speck circled above.

I did not know before the climb

how high up we'd be going.

The hiking websites all mark this

as an easy/effortless outing because it's
mostly switchbacks and not a straight climb.

This is the cross at the Heldenkreuz lookout.
Many Bavarian mountain peaks have
crosses on them. Some appeared as early as
the 1400s, but most started in the 1800s,
when churches sponsored them as reminders
in spots where people felt closest to god.

Sunday morning and the clouds were clearing away. Around this time, a church bell was ringing
and echoing off the surrounding mountains. Truly a different world!

Now I've got a bit of mountain fever, too. I'm looking forward to our next Alpine Adventure!