Heidelberg pics

We have been busy exploring Heidelberg too! One of the really neat things here are the many many hiking trails just outside of the city. They range in difficulty although all of them have some steep inclines. Here are some pictures from some of the trails we have hiked...








A view of the castle and the Church of the Holy Spirit from Philosopher's Way. There are wild blackberries all along the paths. As you walk through the forest you come across openings with views like this one...








On the other side of the Necker River, at the top of the mountain (above the castle) is Konigstuhl (King's Chair). You can bike, hike, drive or take a bus or train to the top. We hiked the 315 steps to the castle, then took a 1904 train straight up the mountain (a 40% grade at some points!) to Konigstuhl. This picture is a view from the top -- the day wasn't very clear but you could see France from here! From here we hiked an 8 km nature trail up and down the mountain in the forest and then hiked down the mountain to the castle (another 6 km or so). Then we walked around the castle a bit and home. We were exhausted but it was fun and beautiful!






Here we are ready to head off on the nature trail -- we look so rested!












The three boys hiking along an easy part of the trail.







This is a pic of the 1904 train that takes people up and down the mountain. It doesn't look so bad in this photo but I am holding the camera down -- the train at this point is running at a 40% grade! I was glad to hike down rather than take the train both ways -- even if we were exhausted!