Having been advised that most businesses in Germany would be closed for the national holidays of Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday, we decided to head out into the countryside to do something not quite so defined by opening and closing hours: hike. So we headed to the southwest, to a small village called Schenkenzell. We had three days in Schwartzwald, and made our plans according to the weather forecast...
Day 1, Good Friday: Sunshine
We took the train north a few stops to a larger town, Freudenstadt, to walk a hiking trail out and around this area. We gained elevation as we rode the train 20 minutes, but this was enough to justify the snow on the ground here, as there was none in Schenkenzell. We walked about 2 km through town, stopping for lunch at the first open restaurant we came across (What else? A Chinese restaurant.) Then we walked 10+ km through the beautiful snow, enjoying the quiet.
Day 2, Saturday: Rain
We took the train north only only stop, to Alpirsbach, wherein lies Alpirsbach Klosterbrau, a monastery consecrated in 1095. The monks kept up the tradition of brewing beer, so today there is a thriving brewery next door to the church.
We showed up wanting to taste beers, but were told that we could not do that outside of the guided tour. So we bought our tickets and joined the 12:30 tour...which was an hour....conducted fully in German. Then finally we each tried two beers and one delicious soft pretzel.
We also tour the monastery afterwards, walking the cloister, the church, and the museum.
Day 3, Easter Sunday: Sunshine
Another walk for this fine day, about 15 kms on various trails out around Schenkenzell. We enjoyed being out among the trees.
Day 1, Good Friday: Sunshine
We took the train north a few stops to a larger town, Freudenstadt, to walk a hiking trail out and around this area. We gained elevation as we rode the train 20 minutes, but this was enough to justify the snow on the ground here, as there was none in Schenkenzell. We walked about 2 km through town, stopping for lunch at the first open restaurant we came across (What else? A Chinese restaurant.) Then we walked 10+ km through the beautiful snow, enjoying the quiet.
Day 2, Saturday: Rain
We took the train north only only stop, to Alpirsbach, wherein lies Alpirsbach Klosterbrau, a monastery consecrated in 1095. The monks kept up the tradition of brewing beer, so today there is a thriving brewery next door to the church.
We showed up wanting to taste beers, but were told that we could not do that outside of the guided tour. So we bought our tickets and joined the 12:30 tour...which was an hour....conducted fully in German. Then finally we each tried two beers and one delicious soft pretzel.
We also tour the monastery afterwards, walking the cloister, the church, and the museum.
Day 3, Easter Sunday: Sunshine
Another walk for this fine day, about 15 kms on various trails out around Schenkenzell. We enjoyed being out among the trees.
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