Day 9 greeted us with a weather forecast promising cloudy skies and the likelihood of intermittent rain. Undeterred, we decided to traverse another one of the “Genießerpfade,” specifically the Bosensteiner Almpfad. The trail description from the website noted, “On the Bosensteiner Almpfad, hikers can expect a tour through a special natural area featuring partly very old woods, alternating with magnificent views from rock formations and open spaces. The unique cultural landscape of the Kernhof-Bosenstein area presents itself as a beautiful high alpine region nestled amongst the forest.”

The trail statistics indicated a duration of approximately 3 hours, covering 8.9 kilometers with an elevation gain of 363 meters. This journey would take us directly through the heart of the national park, where I hoped to capture woodland scenes that portrayed the wild and untouched essence of the area.

A Foggy Beginning

Starting once again at the National Park Center in Ruhestein, we embarked on our hike enveloped in low-hanging clouds. This was precisely the atmosphere I had been hoping for: foggy and cloudy – conditions, I associated more with spring or autumn than the summertime. The wet grass, ferns, and moss appeared even more vibrant, contributing to the overall moody ambiance of the day. Once again, we found ourselves alone on the trail, with only one cyclist encountered in the distance. The solitude of the path added to the serenity of our surroundings, allowing us to fully embrace the peacefulness of nature.

A cute encounter was pretty much at the beginning: We were just walking along the forest road when we saw a wild hare in the distance. I think it was the first real wildlife encounter – besides birds and insects – that we had in the Black Forest. We just stood there for some moments and watched the hare before it recognized us and hopped away.

Photo-processing wise, the photos were quite nice to edit some different styles: more dark and foggy or more vibrant green? I decided to show both versions in the following two photos.

First Viewpoint: Scrambling for a View

As we progressed along the trail, we were aware that we would approach two designated viewpoints. Our hope was that the clouds would grant us at least a glimpse into the valley or the distance beyond. To our delight, we were fortunate at both points! The first viewpoint provided not merely an ordinary view but also a little bit of scrambling on the wet rock face. While I attempted to capture some photographs, my wife chose to remain within the safety of the forest. The damp conditions required caution, but the experience of reaching the viewpoint was exhilarating.

Capturing the Mood

During our hike, I took my time to photograph the enchanting surroundings. I felt no rush, allowing myself to soak in the beauty of the landscape. After traversing half of the route, we reached the second viewpoint known as “Brennte Schrofen.” Again, we were met with a pleasant view. Yet I didn’t really manage to capture a good photo – but I wanted to share the view itself:

At this point, we took a break to check our weather app and found that considerable rain was forecasted to arrive shortly. We decided to adjust our pace slightly, realizing we had spent more time than anticipated on the first part of the trail. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and we returned to the car before the major rain set in. However, the grass was quite wet, and as a result, our shoes – still damp from the hike two days prior – became soaked once again.

In hindsight, I can confidently state that there wasn’t a single defining highlight on this route. Instead, the entirety of the trail was enjoyable, showcasing lush greenery and a variety of appealing woodland scenes. While it may have been less wild than I anticipated, it was undoubtedly worth the walk – especially under such beautiful conditions. Despite the reopening clouds and the moisture, I found satisfaction in our exploration of the Bosensteiner Almpfad. This journey, filled with lush greenery and solitary woodland scenes, reinforced my appreciation for the diverse beauty of the Black Forest.

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All posts from our trip to the Black Forest in 2024: