So I was finally able to get out and enjoy a normal weekend with my new drone. I've been looking up different hikes here in Germany, because let's face it, you can't keep someone from Washington out of the mountains for too long. I stumbled upon a few pictures of Hornisgrinde on Instagram, and realized that it was only a few hours away from my house. Typically, my husband and I would drive 3-4 hours for day trip hikes, so finding Hornsgrinde was perfect!


  Where's it at? Hornisgrinde is located in the Northern Black Forest in the state of Baden-Wurttemburg, Germany. It's very well known for it's size, being the third largest of the German states, and it's beautiful landscapes that include mountain ranges, forests, plains, and beautiful waterways. You'll find that the Rhine river flows through here, and Lake Constance, or the Swabian Sea, is within this area. Lake Constance, or Bodensee, has an area of 572 square kilometers and is the third largest lake in Europe! But on my adventure, I decided that I wanted to visit the enchanted lake of Mummelsee.


  If you can't find your way to Copenhagen to see the original Little Mermaid, then don't worry because Germany has it's own Little Mermaid! Mummelsee is located on Hochstrasse in the Black Forest.  It's 1,036 meters above sea level, and the views that you have on the way up are amazing! When you're walking around the lake, you'll notice wooden statues of fairy tales on the path. The most well-known tale is the one of the mermaids (sprites, or nymphs... you'll find many names) of the lake. The King of Mummelsee and these mermaids cared for this area and it's people by emerging from the waters during the day, and returning to their palace in the sea at night.


 One day, there was a festival where the sprites were dancing and enjoying their day, and one sprite had found herself falling in love with one of the boys from the land. When the rest of the sprites had returned to their palace at night fall, she was the only one who stayed behind against the King's rules. When she returned to the lake, she told the boy that if he sees the water turn red, then she has died for their love. It's quite the tale, isn't it? When you reach the furthest point of the lake from the lake house, there is a wooden platform that allows you to admire the statue of a mermaid in the water.


  If you want to continue your travels into the mountains, there are many different paths that lead up to Hornisgrinde. Hornisgrinde is the highest mountain in the Northern Black Forest. And just like every German name or word, there is always meaning behind it. The Hornisgrinde area is a "bare mountain range with a high moor." When you travel to the top, you'll be able to admire all of the trees along the way, but once you're at the top, you'll notice that the land becomes more marshy, and the soil is unsuitable for trees. Which made it easier to admire the views of the surrounding mountains from the Bismarch Tower. It's a 7 meter high signal tower built around 1840! They also utilized this tower as a lookout in World War II. It was finally renovated for safety in the year 2000, and was then used as a lookout for the nature reserve - accessible by tourists! :)


When you return from your hike, you can grab some great German food (and beer!) at the lake house. They offer a great selection of cured meats, breads, and brats! Take the time to check out some of their specialty wines, liquors, and jams as well. The drive we took to get back home was on one of the most beautiful drives known in Germany. Taking Route 500 back home allowed us to have very picturesque views of the Black Forest's mountain ridges. I highly recommend visiting this area if you're seeking some good nature relaxation!