It was raining when I left the Hotel in Wegscheid, but it did not bother me. I was well equipped. After I left the village, each step brought me into a more serene landscape with neither road nor a house in sight. The lush vegetation and the fast streaming water of the Kamp river together with the warm and soft rainfall seemed nearly unreal.
Kamp River
Somebody’s art project
The path beside the river and up to the remote ruin of Schauenstein was lined with tasteful posters of local plants combined sometimes with poems. I enjoyed each of them.
Poster of the dandelion with the Latin name combined with the saying “Wherever you are going, go with your full heart.”
Although the walk up to the Schauenstein ruin was a detour, I was curious about it. The ruin is considered to be one of the oldest castles of the Kamp valley and was started in the 10th century as a fortification against invaders from Bohemia. Located over 1 800 feet above the Kamptal, it promised a good view over the valley.
Castle tower of Schauenstein
The former castle was considered a gem in the Kamptal and was besieged several times. It probably was destroyed during the 30 year war (1618 – 1648) by Swedish forces.
The ruin is now home for beautiful flowers, like the mullein. (I like the German name  “Königskerze” much better – candle of the king)
Entrance gate to Schauenstein
The view down into the Kamp Valley was mysterious and magical.
On a very slippery path, I walked down into the valley and continued trough a jungle of high grasses and bushes.
Legs and feet got soaking wet. Also, tics were landing on arms, head and legs. Those tiny creatures carry dangerous sicknesses and I constantly removed them from my body.
The path often was blocked by uprooted and fallen trees. Past rains made the soil too soft to hold the roots.
Snails loved the wet ground
The path leads up to a rock pulpit with a gorgeous view down to the Kamp valley. A statue of St. Nepomuk, the protector of bridges, stands near the vertical cliffs. This statue was intriguing – with incredible tenderness he holds the cross, overgrown by thick moss. Moss also is growing on his shoulders and hands. It reminded me of statues of Bodhisvattas and Jizu I had seen in Japan.
St. Nepomuk
Walking down into the valley brought me again to the Kamp River with flowers blooming in abundance.
A perfect resting place under a blooming Linden tree and protected from the rain
The purple flower is called stone Elke, one of my favourite flowers. It loves dry and barren soil
When I reached Rosenburg, one of the most beautiful castles of Austria, I still had to walk about 5 miles to the village Tautendorf, where I planned to stay overnight.
Castle Rosenburg seen from the Kamp Valley
Rosenburg
I reached the village of Tautendorf in the evening. I had walked over 22 miles taking more than 57 000 steps. No wonder my legs were hurting and I felt really tired.