Читать книгу The Adlerweg. The Eagle's Way across the Austrian Tyrol онлайн

48 страница из 52

Glacial cirque below Birkkarspitze (Stage 11)

Walking the Adlerweg, you will encounter a few morainic lakes, some trapped by terminal moraines and some by lateral. The most notable is Achensee, the unique geography of which is described in Stage 8, while the descent from Fern pass (Stage 17) provides excellent views of a series of turquoise coloured lakes, each trapped by its own moraine. Lateral lakes line the Inn valley between Kramsach and Worgl. Dried up lakebeds far exceed actual lakes, the most obvious being the Moos (between Ehrwald and Lermoos, Stage 17) and the Hinterautal valley (Stage 11). Extensive beaches of glacial fluor (white limestone sand eroded by the glaciers) indicate the locations of the ancient lakes.

This is an ever changing landscape. Frequent landsides and washouts either block or widen rivers. Attempts are made each year to restore paths after winter damage, but when deterioration becomes irreparable, paths may be closed or diverted.

Plants

The overwhelming determinant of plantlife found along the Adlerweg is altitude, particularly the tree line. This, the altitude beyond which trees cannot survive, is found around 1800m on north facing slopes, but can reach nearly 2000m at favoured south facing locations. At lower altitudes, up to approx 1400m, mixed forests dominate with broadleaf deciduous trees like beech and oak growing alongside conifers. Woodland flowers and berries, particularly wild raspberries, grow in clearings between the trees. A wide range of edible fungi is in evidence, and local residents can often be found collecting them for the kitchen.