18 Sept 2016
Rocks, Romans, and a Ringwall - Hiking Tours in Summer 2016
I've already presented the hiking tours in the juniper heath near Rossbach and the 'Hessian Switzerland'. Here are some more we did this year.
Karst landscape in the Meissner
The tours included a second - and more extended - visit to some of the most interesting karst formations in the Meissner, with its pretty white limestone rocks and hidden sinkholes. One better remains on the official paths if one doesn't want to end up in a hole (and not a Hobbit one). *grin*
Basalt and red sandstone on the Blue Dome (Blaue Kuppe)
Another interesting geological formation is the Blue Dome (Blaue Kuppe) near Eschwege. That one consists of volcanic olivine basalt from 12 million years ago, which pressed through a layer of coloured sandstone. It had been quarried until 1920, but today the area is a nature reserve.
Devil's chancel, Werra valley
Of course it wasn't the devil - who gets blamed for all sort of odd rocks that stick out in a landscape - but geological processes that shaped the protruding rock of coloured sandstone which offers a nice view into the Werra valley. But the name Teufelskanzel (Devil's Chancel) sounds more fun than something like 'Red Sandstone Cliff'.
Nature reserve with very old trees near Sababurg Castle
It is no genuine jungle, but the forest near the Sababurg has been left to grow since 1907 and it looks fairly primeval by now. The land had formerly been a forest where the pigs and cows would be driven to feed, so the vegetation was kept short except for some large trees. The sunlight reached the ground, and after the place became a nature reserve, younger trees could grow up between the old veterans. Some of the old ones look really twisted now.
Carolingian ringwall near Bad Sooden-Allendorf
Remains of a Carolingian earthen ringwall can be found on a mountain looming behind the town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf at the Werra. It is so overgrown that it really takes some imagination, though. Even less - that is, nothing - remains of the timber and wattle-and-daub houses inside the fortification. It was likely erected to protect the salt mines at the Werra, but little is known of the history of the site.
The Bruchteiche lakes near Bad Sooden-Allendorf
On the way up to the ringwall one passes some artificial lakes, the Bruchteiche, which were dug out in 1910 to cover the increasing need of drinking water in the spa town of Bad Sooden. The salt has been used for medical purposes since that time. The twin town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf is still a spa town today.
The Roman battlefield at Kalefeld / Harzhorn
The 3rd century battlefield at Kalefeld / Harzhorn, where Romans fought against Germans and which had been discovered in 2008, now includes a hiking way with information tablets and marked spots in the landscape that explain the battle. It is indeed very informative and interesting. And a nice walk, too.
The Oder in Bad Lauterberg / Harz
I'll leave you with some cold water: the Oder river in the spa park in Bad Lauterberg in the Harz. After the route diversions between Göttingen and the Harz, which had annoyed us for several years, have finally been cleared up, we'll plan to go there more often again. ¶ September 18, 2016
I've already presented the hiking tours in the juniper heath near Rossbach and the 'Hessian Switzerland'. Here are some more we did this year.
The tours included a second - and more extended - visit to some of the most interesting karst formations in the Meissner, with its pretty white limestone rocks and hidden sinkholes. One better remains on the official paths if one doesn't want to end up in a hole (and not a Hobbit one). *grin*
Another interesting geological formation is the Blue Dome (Blaue Kuppe) near Eschwege. That one consists of volcanic olivine basalt from 12 million years ago, which pressed through a layer of coloured sandstone. It had been quarried until 1920, but today the area is a nature reserve.
Of course it wasn't the devil - who gets blamed for all sort of odd rocks that stick out in a landscape - but geological processes that shaped the protruding rock of coloured sandstone which offers a nice view into the Werra valley. But the name Teufelskanzel (Devil's Chancel) sounds more fun than something like 'Red Sandstone Cliff'.
It is no genuine jungle, but the forest near the Sababurg has been left to grow since 1907 and it looks fairly primeval by now. The land had formerly been a forest where the pigs and cows would be driven to feed, so the vegetation was kept short except for some large trees. The sunlight reached the ground, and after the place became a nature reserve, younger trees could grow up between the old veterans. Some of the old ones look really twisted now.
Remains of a Carolingian earthen ringwall can be found on a mountain looming behind the town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf at the Werra. It is so overgrown that it really takes some imagination, though. Even less - that is, nothing - remains of the timber and wattle-and-daub houses inside the fortification. It was likely erected to protect the salt mines at the Werra, but little is known of the history of the site.
On the way up to the ringwall one passes some artificial lakes, the Bruchteiche, which were dug out in 1910 to cover the increasing need of drinking water in the spa town of Bad Sooden. The salt has been used for medical purposes since that time. The twin town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf is still a spa town today.
The 3rd century battlefield at Kalefeld / Harzhorn, where Romans fought against Germans and which had been discovered in 2008, now includes a hiking way with information tablets and marked spots in the landscape that explain the battle. It is indeed very informative and interesting. And a nice walk, too.
I'll leave you with some cold water: the Oder river in the spa park in Bad Lauterberg in the Harz. After the route diversions between Göttingen and the Harz, which had annoyed us for several years, have finally been cleared up, we'll plan to go there more often again. ¶ September 18, 2016
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Such beautiful, picturesque places. I was really happy to learn more about them. Lovely pics, as always :)
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