Our Day

Sonja was "in charge" today. We took the funicular up to the King's Chair (Seat or Throne) and from there worked our way along the first part of the recently established Neckarsteig path (Blue Wavy Line) to Neckargemünd. Some of us then took the river boat from there back to Heidelberg. Sonja led the rest of our party on to Dilsberg, with its Castle and to Neckarsteinach, from where it was back to Heidelberg on the picturesque S-Bahn journey. The total length of the walk was about 12 miles. For the evening, Sonja arranged a group dinner at the Kulturbrauerei in the Old Town, near where were staying. Altogether an enjoyable day with many new impressions. Thank you Sonja!

We have a break in the middle of the forest next to a wooden shelter hut, typical of many found in these parts. We are at the "Hohlerkästenbaum" which means "Hollow Oak Tree". We weren't sure if the said Oak Tree was still around, but we enjoyed our break in the greenery of the Forest. The large "engraved" stone on the right is also one of many found in these parts; I take the opportunity to say some more about these "Sign Stones" on the "Maps" page (see Sign Stones).

Funicular to the King's Chair

Right next to the Lotte Hostel was the base station of the two-stage funicular railway that connects the Old Town with the King's Chair (Throne or Seat). Sonja's actual walk would start once we reached the top - and had admired the view!

Nice view at the top. Funicular Car arriving on the left. The new university campus of the Heidelberg University (Neuenheimer Feld) is on the north side of the Neckar River.




Another view of the funicular.




We take a look into the well preserved engine room of the funicular.




In the top station of the funicular, there's a small museum
of some memorabilia of Heidelberg's transport history.

Odin's Little Forest

The first part of the walk was from the King's Chair on part of the reasonably recently created "Neckarsteig" Path (Blue Wavy Line) which links Heidelberg to Eberbach and Bad Wimpfen. We did the intial stretch of this path which ultimately extends for a total of 126 Km. Our initial stretch was about 6 miles from the King's Chair to Neckargmuend.

We set off!




We look for the "Sea of Boulders" (Felsenmeer). Having found it, we stop for a break at the "Hollow Oak Tree"(Hohler Kaestenbaum) hut.




And here are some more pictures ...




... of us ...




... enjoying the forest surroundings.

Dilsberg

For those not returning from Neckargmuend to Heidelberg by river boat, the walk schedule included the Roebuck Cliff (Bockfelsen) and Dilsberg, with a return from Neckarsteinach. This additional stretch was a further approximately 6 miles. The two pictures below were taken on the next day, but included here for completeness.

View over the River Neckar from the Roebuck Cliff
towards the erstwhile mediaeval fortified town of Dilsberg with its Castle.




The entrance to Dilsberg.
In mediaeval times, this gate was meant to keep watch over all those entering the town.
Nowadays, it acts as an invitation to the visitor.

Our Evening at the "Kulturbrauerei"

Sonja arranged a very enjoyable evening for us at the "Kulturbrauerei", where we could savour the local cuisine, beers and ambience. Thank you Sonja for a nice day - a fine walk and a nice gastronomical finale.

These three pictures ...




... show us enjoying ...




... our evening visit to the "Kulturbrauerei".