Start: Seefeld, Austria
Finish: Mittenwald, Germany
Distance: 10
Total: 1187
Today was an easy day in two respects; short distance and downhill.
I got a great rest last night at Hanna’s Alpengruss B&B in Seefeld. I took my time getting on the road due to the short day so after a great breakfast, I was out the door at 9:15. There was a very slight chance of rain today but it was cloudy and cool anyway. Hanna and I had a discussion before I left about today’s route. She thought it was a bad idea to walk on the road between Seefeld and Mittenwald. She showed me an alternate route over the river and through the woods. I politely listened but didn’t take her advice. I must say she was right about the road though. It was bumper to bumper traffic and the road was just straight enough that vehicles could go pretty fast. Luckily today was Sunday which kept the trucks off the road for the most part.
Where I’m staying tonight in Mittenwald is a nice sized Bavarian town in the foothills of the Alps. It’s known for the manufacture of violins, violas, and cellos which began in the 17th century. It’s really a touristy place with lots of sidewalk restaurants and hotels around the center of town.
Today got me started on my descent from the Alps. I lost 900 feet of elevation today and will lose another 1000 feet tomorrow when I go through Garmish- Partenkirchen and that will just about do it for major mountain ranges on this walk. The foothills will last a couple of more days but end by the time I get to Munich.
About 6 miles into today’s walk I crossed the Austria-Germany border. Just like on the Austrian border a few days ago, there was a small guard building with a gate but the road has been rerouted to bypass the check point. Shortly after the abandoned guard shack was a sign marking the border.
Today ended my short walking route through Austria. I spent only four days there, and one of those was a day off. So I only walked 36 miles to get across this slender stretch of Austria that is wedged between Italy and Germany. The last part of today began a 663 mile/45 day stretch across Germany. I don’t know if any of you have noticed the international weather, but the week coming up will find Central Europe in a major heatwave. Though it’s nice and cool here in Mittenwald today, the forecast calls for mid-90s in Munich when I get there Thursday. I hoped for cooler weather to walk in but I guess I’m use to that kind of heat from home.
That about does it for today’s update. I hope you all had a great weekend.
