There is a great hike in southwest Brandenburg, one which I have done several times in the past, that I revisited over the weekend. The times I hiked it before, it was the middle of winter: cold, dreary, grey, and even a bit spooky. This time, the trees were full, farmers were working their fields, and the trails were a pleasure to be on.

I walked the south trail from Wiesenburg to Bad Belzig but there is a north route connecting the same two towns. The north and south can be combined to make a nice 40 kilometre hike. Combined, these trails are considered an art path with many sculptures scattered along the way. One of my favorites: the wolf sculptures, rebar and wood, about a quarter of the way into the south route and shown below.

The past two weeks I walked the Camino de Santiago from Léon to Santiago de Compostela with a good friend of mine for a total of 276 kilometers. Several years ago I walked the section from Pamplona to Burgos with him, so I have done two large sections with a few remaining to have covered the entire trail. I am sure I will walk the entire trail at some point.

The trail was outstanding despite the occasional crowds, especially during the last ten kilometers walking into Santiago. Two days of hard rain and temperatures reaching 90 on some days did nothing to discourage my pleasure in every step I took on the trails shown above. I found the walk relaxing, enlightening, and meditative and it was good to be walking with my friend and sharing such great distances with him. It was also fun to meet some new folks, whether sharing beers, dinner, conversation, or games of cribbage.