Bigger Steps

I AM staying in Bischofsgrün an extra two days, mainly so as to have a conveniently timed flight home, but also giving me the chance for longer walks.

Today I set off along forest trails, rather than riverside paths, which makes the going much easier underfoot, and allows longer distances to be covered.

The downside is the scenery is less varied, but there were still interesting things to see

As in much of Germany, the area is dotted with hides for hunters

This tree seems to be doing fine, despite growing on a rock

A hide seemingly precariously perched to no great advantage ...

... until one sees the view it commands of partially cleared forest, where deer probably like to bask in early-morning sunshine

This tree has sent out roots across the rock it is growing on to find nutrients to support its existence

The area proved surprisingly deserted, and it was not until 08:45, by which time I had been walking for almost 90 minutes, that I came across a fellow hiker

I headed for Fichtelsee, a lake extended into a reservoir, which is approached along an attractive wooden walkway

The sky would cloud over later, with loud thunder in the distance, but for the moment the sun helped provide beautiful reflections

Rather pleasingly there was also somewhere to have coffee, the espresso being the best I have had in Bavaria on this trip (not that that is saying much - no one visits Germany for the coffee)

I later spotted a sign for Seehaus, and as friend had mentioned the place, I decided to head there to check it out

The route proved decidedly uphill, but at the top was a welcoming sight

When I left Seehaus, where I also enjoyed a decent espresso, I left the wide trails and kept to forest paths as much as possible

I lunched at Karches on matjesfilet, despite being some 300 miles (483km) from the sea 

I was surprised on returning to my hotel to discover that, according to Google Maps, and assuming I always took the most direct routes (I didn't), I covered just over 13 miles (21.5km)