{"id":14300,"date":"2016-06-29T21:16:09","date_gmt":"2016-06-29T21:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/?p=14300"},"modified":"2018-11-16T10:37:23","modified_gmt":"2018-11-16T10:37:23","slug":"marbles-waterfalls-almbachklamm-bavaria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thesojournseries.com\/bavaria\/marbles-waterfalls-almbachklamm-bavaria\/","title":{"rendered":"Of Marbles and Waterfalls – Almbachklamm – Bavaria"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"alpbachklamm<\/a><\/p>\n

If like me you are frequently accused of losing your marbles, fear not, I have a solution. \u00a0Make your way to Marktschellenberg in the Berchtesgaden <\/a>region of Bavaria, and here, amongst the typically stunning alpine scenery you will stumble across what has to be one of the world’s oldest actual ‘marble’ marble making mills – \u00a0or a Kugelm\u00fchle\u00a0in local sprecht…<\/p>\n

\"kugelsmuhle<\/a><\/p>\n

\"kugelsmuhle<\/a><\/p>\n

\"kugelsmuhle\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Built in 1683 where the powerful raging waters from the nearby gorge would grind marble (and glass sometimes) to create the most beautiful shiny marbles of various sizes for use as toys, ships weights, probably weapons at some point, and sanity replacement objects. \u00a0 Actually, I shouldn’t say it “would,\u00a0as it still produces them, and you\u00a0can still see them being created today.<\/p>\n

There’s also a shop, which we had to spend at least 17 hours perusing whilst the Small People deliberated over marbles of various sizes, colours and prices. \u00a0 I did enjoy the deliberating for the first 2 hours (OK, slight exaggeration) imagining where the biggest marble of the lot would go in our garden, wondering how heavy it was and whether the bonnet of our car would point skywards from the weight of it should we stick it in the boot, but the sibling arguments going on (about who wasn’t buying which marble if the other one was) got a bit boring, so I managed to persuade everyone that we should go for a walk before any stressful marble purchasing decisions were made. \u00a0Just as well really, as it was a good excuse to explore the utterly glorious Almbachklamm River<\/a> Gorge just behind the mill.<\/p>\n

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Leave no rubbish or the tree man will get you…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

There is a small entrance fee to the gorge, and you should most definitely wear suitable footwear (forget your flip flops!) as this is proper hiking territory… \u00a0Do you know, as much as I recommend you visit Garmisch’s Partnachklamm<\/a> if you happen to be in the area, this place is equally as magnificent but just without the crowds.\u00a0\"alpbachklamm\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"alpbachklamm\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"alpbachklamm\"<\/a><\/p>\n

hiking handbags mandatory for this one…\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"alpbachklamm\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"alpbachklamm\"<\/a><\/p>\n

And whilst we leisurely hikers ambled, searching for elusive endemic lizard residents, making odd Macca Pacca inspired stone sculptures in shallow waters, and debated which marbles we would be buying (and what we would be having for lunch at the\u00a0Kugelm\u00fchle Gasthoff<\/a> – which is very good by the way!), we bade farewell to our expert professional hiking friends who ventured further afield to do a serious walk at the top of the gorge that lasted several hours. \u00a0 \u00a0 Something for everyone!<\/p>\n

\"lizard<\/a><\/p>\n

Bring your camera and explore the various walkways and narrow ledges where you get the best view of the vivid blue water pools and roaring water falls. \u00a0 As per my Venice advice<\/a>, sling it all the way if you are visiting with a teeny person this is a place to leave any type of wheels firmly in the car park… \u00a0 Be aware that some walk ways can get a little slippery at times, and bring food and drink with you if you plan on a longer hike…<\/p>\n

As an aside, if walking isn’t your thing, and you don’t need any marbles replacing, then you might want to pay homage to one particular Marktschellenberg alpine field (except you should completely get the owner’s permission before you trample all over it, as I believe it’s private property!), \u00a0as it’s where they filmed the opening scenes of The Sound of Music, you know the one – just as Maria starts with “The Hills Are Alive”…. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0If that doesn’t tempt you to visit alone, I don’t know what will…<\/p>\n

K\u00f6nigsseerstr. 2, 83471 Berchtesgaden<\/em>
\nTel +49 (0) 86 52-9 67-0, Fax:. +49 (0) 86 52-96 74 00<\/em>
\nEmail: info@berchtesgadener-land.info \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Entrance around \u20ac3<\/em><\/p>\n

\"alpbachklamm<\/a><\/p>\n

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