15 miles ascent 1254′ descent 4448′
Facing one of our longest days on this hike, we left the hut early, making our way down to the Plotzigtal Valley.
Occasionally the steep, downhill trail presented picturesque alpine scenes.
Several mountain meadows visible from the Plotzigtalalm trail were stunning.
Continuing, cows we encountered were not concerned by our passage in the least. They seemed to almost challenge us for a spot on the trail.
The path passed through a horse pasture filled with dozens of striking Palomino mares.
Having worked our way down the Plotzigtal Valley through wash-outs, river crossings and hairpin turns, we were on our way toward the village of Bschlabs where we expected to stop for a cold drink and a pastry.
Our first sighting of the village was of the parish church, beautifully situated on the hillside.
To our regret, the only restaurant in the area was closed on that particular day. So on we went once again, depending on my (replenished) Snickers bar. Leaving Bschlabs behind we descended into the Halltal valley, onto the sculpture park and trail known as the Weg der Sinne (“path of the senses”). Winding down this path into a forested gorge, it was a bit of a game to find the woodcarvings placed along the trail. Some were obvious and others not so much. The first sculpture we found was impressive and was labelled “The Listener.”
Once at the bottom of the gorge, we crossed over the clear Streinbach Brook on a wooden suspension bridge. Then, after a steep 30-minute climb, we arrived at the Ort der Stille, which was reputed to be at “acoustic zero” or completely silent. A bench had been placed here to sit and enjoy the quiet, which we did.
The remainder of the day was a series of ascents and descents often along obscure paths and gravel tracks generally following the Steinbach river. Just as we approached the Lechtal Valley the skies turned very dark and threatening. Miraculously, on this small 4-wheel track a car appeared ahead of us and the very kind driver offered to take us down to the community of Haselgehr to avoid the storm, even though he was carrying his baby and a dog and on his way to the hospital to join his wife who was in labor! We wasted no time in accepting and just as we arrived at the Gasthof Sonne in Haselgehr, the clouds opened up. Thunder, lightning and driving rain buffeted the village. We had escaped what would have been a very miserable final push to Haselgehr.
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