Hiking in Markgräflerland, October

Are hikes when we are in Badenweiler tend to follow a progression. Starting with a hike in the hills around the town, becoming gradually more difficult, then on the last day taking a hike that involves a relatively steep climb to one of the peaks that are near by.

The first day hike also follows a pattern. It's about 9 km and begins by accessing a trail across the street from the apartment. We climb about 100 meters in the first 1.5 km to a rocky area with views of Badenweiler and the surrounding vineyards. Then ridges around through the woods to the small framing community of Sehringen. From there it drops down through a valley of cow pastures and orchards to the picturesque village of Lipburg. There are nice views down the valley towards the Rhine river on this part of the trail. After passing through Lipburg, there is a short walk through more pastures and then back into the woods to Niederweiler. We then ascend under Badenweiler's castle into the town and back to the apartment.

The added attraction of this hike is October is the opportunity to collect nuts along the way. Earlier in the month, apples and pears would also be available to collecting from abandoned trees along the path. But we were a little late for that this year. However, the trails does pass by chestnut trees as we leave and re-enter Badenweiler. Also through walnut trees entering and leaving Lipburg. We concentrated on the walnuts on this walk. The walnuts here are English walnuts, so they don't have the thick skin of the black walnuts in Columbus. Rather, the walnuts pop from the skin as they ripen, making the easy to collect.

The walnut trees tend to be on private property on either side of the trail. You'll never sure if the owners collect the nuts or not. But the rule is that the nuts that fall on the trail are fair game. We managed to collect 3 kg before deciding that was enough. The limiting factor being how much we were willing to carry up the hill to Badenweiler rather than the availability of nuts on the trail.

Frannie is certainly learning to love these hikes. On the trail, she is investigating every smell and every hole on either side of the trail. 9km hike for us is likely a 12 km hike for Frannie as she goes from side to side with her investigations. She also loves romping in the fields, racing around in circles, comming back to Magda or I to be petted, then doing it again.

In Niederweiler, Frannie discovered another reason to enjoy being in Germany. There is a small resturant in Niederweiler that caters to locals and hikers. called Klemmbackmühle. The restaurant is filled with antiques, including a suit of armor. But for Frannie, the important thing she discovered is that dogs are allowed in restaurants here. She really is a good restaurant dog, setting quietly under the table, observing everything happening, and occasionally being petted by a customer as they enter to leave. She thought that was pretty cool.