Ultralight Hike
Since the first two stages of the Habichtswaldsteig had fascinated me so much, I could not rest and had to walk the remaining stages. So, no less than three weeks later, I continued my hike on this quality hiking trail.
I left my trekking poles at home in the hallway. When I noticed this after 20 kilometres, I briefly considered turning around, but decided to try walking without poles again. So on Saturday morning, I continued on the trail in Bad Emstal. The first kilometres of the third stage were similar to the second stage. The Hessian Highlands could be seen nicely from the field paths, but they are still not my favourite kind of trail.
After a few kilometres, I finally got back onto the narrow paths that make this hiking trail so breathtaking.
From Naumburg, the paths led back into the vast expanses of the forests.
At the next bench, I took a break first and prepared my breakfast. For that, I just had to pour a little water into the pre-packaged muesli.
After a few minutes of rest, I continued on the trail. After all, I still had quite a few kilometres ahead of me that day.
At just over 20 kilometres, the third stage was rather short, so I wondered whether I should simply keep walking until I could not go on. The idea spurred me on, and despite the missing trekking poles, I walked briskly through the valleys and summits of the region.
Towards afternoon, I passed a pasture and, at the sight of the cattle, inevitably thought of tasty burgers. So off I went!
I used the next bench as an opportunity to prepare lunch.
Meanwhile, the weather turned and the first raindrops came down. That is why I used this spot not only for eating, but also immediately put on my rain gear. For lunch, there was mashed potato with two sachets of "Heiße Tasse" tomato soup, some soy mince and a load of freeze-dried spices. For the price, a rather tasty meal that can be prepared by simply pouring hot water over it.
After eating, the rain had moved on as well, and I could continue towards the day’s destination in the dry.
From this point on, my "runner’s high" kicked in. I enjoyed my surroundings and wanted to keep going; the breaks in between became shorter and the kilometre counter kept climbing.
In the late afternoon, I was quite astonished when I read that the destination, the Edersee, was only 7.2 km away. At that moment, I realised that I had not only completed the third stage, but had already left more than half of the fourth stage behind me.
Behind Waldeck, the Edersee could be glimpsed every now and then, and the paths I was walking were not only those of the Habichtswaldsteig, but also those of the Urwaldsteig.
This multi-use hiking trail again has very narrow paths and offers breathtaking views of the region. At that moment, I realised that I will have to hike the Urwaldsteig at some point too.
Towards evening, I reached a beautiful viewpoint and could enjoy the lovely sunset.
As soon as the sun had set, the temperature steadily dropped to just above freezing. Rarely have I been so glad that I packed the thicker quilt.
So I was able to slumber warmly before the last two or three kilometres to the goal, the dam wall at the Edersee, on the next morning.
All in all, the Habichtswaldsteig was a very beautiful hiking trail that lives up to its "quality hiking trail" award.
