Höllental 24.7.2018
Susi has 3 weeks off, but we are at home, and found a route suited for us both: the first Vienna´s water pipe way from Hirschwang to Kaiserbrunn, at least the first half of it.
We start at the water power plant near Hirschwang, close to the valley station of the Rax-cable car.
Very old techinque ...
First we cross kind of alluvial forest in the storage area of the power plant.
After that, the path leads up and down in the rocky area, always in short distance to the Schwarza river.
Sport gear for the very brave ...
Flower meadows are now crossed.
Branched St. Bernhard´s lily (Anthericum ramosum)
Common toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)
View down to the Schwarza - here the route leads a bit up on a small ridge.
Rax - bellflowers (Campanula praesignis), a local endemit, on a rock near the path.
Looking back.
Schwarza
After the Rechen bridge, where the road crosses the Schwarza river, the path leads down to the river.
Steep, high rock walls on the outer side of the river bends.
The "Rechen bridge" as part of the Schwarza valley road.
A short rest is used to treat the dogs with goodies.
A few paddlers passing by in between.
Continuing our way over a footbridge.
View downstream from the bridge ...
... and upstream.
Glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa)
Hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)
Susi on the bridge, with the dogs.
Jersey tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) on hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)
Horse mint (Mentha longifolia)
Anglewing butterfly (Polygonia c-album) on hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)
Anglewing butterfly (Polygonia c-album) on hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)
Anglewing butterfly (Polygonia c-album) on hemp-agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum)
Glutinous sage (Salvia glutinosa)
We turned back, once more passing by he rock wall ...
... and also the branched St. Bernhard´s lily (Anthericum ramosum)
Back at the power plant.
Schneeberg summit (Klosterwappen) in the background.
We now drive up the road a bit to relax on this gravel bank.
Narrow river passage.
Bathing activity. The water isn´t very warm, ...
... but deep enough in places for the brave ones.
Large gravel areas ...
... are invitung to put the feet into the water.
Susi has a chat with another dog owner.
Bella has tried a bit of the water.
View upstream.
More goodies now, and the other dog is interested too..
After a lazy late lunch in a good restaurant in Reichenau, we drive home.