When yesterday was the most boring stage then today was one of the most beautiful so far.
First we wanted to do the round trip to the lake Stappitzersee which also meant we could leave our backpacks at the accomodation. How easy walking is without 10 or more kilos on your back!!!
The path first led through Mallnitz, a really pretty town with beautiful old and new houses and then continued on a wonderful path through the forest, over a bridge and up alpine pastures. One funny highlight was a public WC on the way – probably the best public WC I’ve ever seen:
After another few hundred metres we reached the Stappitzersee. So clear and beautiful, one perfect place! After not having seen more than one or two people while hiking the days before this time it was nearly crowded in comparison. No doubt, this lake and the region around is one highlight!
After returning to our accomodation we snatched our backpacks and off we went – down the Rabisch-Schlucht. The path was steep and very slippery from the rain a few minutes ago but it was so great hiking along the river Mallnitz down the gorge.
After leaving the Rabisch-Schlucht we got to the Groppensteinerschlucht after hiking a few kilometres up and down the forest. And it did even get better here! You walk on a wooden path near steep rugged rocks and on your right the river through the gorge. No wonder that there were so many people!
I would love to walk the Groppensteinerschlucht again but without heavy backpack then. 😉
After the gorge it took us around 40 minutes to get to Obervellach and our accomodation, the Kirchenwirt. It’s quite good situated but we didn’t feel very welcome for the first time during our trip. Wouldn’t recommend this accomodation. But the room is ok, the beds are fine, and we have a nice shower. What else do we need anyway? 😉 Obervellach itself is not exciting, and it’s hard to get decent food. But the pharmacy is very good and I replenished my blistering plasters, just in case. 😉
By the way, it’s incredible what you can eat and still stay hungry when you’re long distance hiking. 😂
And if you’re wondering what we are doing in the evenings: first, when we reach our accomodation, we take a shower! Then we wash some clothes, tend to the various bruises, blisters and other achings and for the rest of the evening we eat. 😉 And believe it or not: I’m always trying to do some stretches to avoid the shortening of muscles and sore muscles.
Some figures for today:
- 23,4 km
- 360m up
- 810m down
- Hiking time: 5h 16m