Читать книгу Walking in the Bavarian Alps. 70 mountain walks and treks in southern Germany онлайн

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The many religious and folk festivals in the region are a great way to see traditional costumes and hear Bavarian folk music. One of the most interesting, and evidence of a still-strong rural culture, is the Almabtrieb or Viehscheid (cattle round-up). This is when the cattle are herded down from their alpine pastures to winter quarters in the valley. Depending on local weather conditions it takes place throughout the alpine region between mid September and mid October. Good places to see it include Oberstdorf and Königssee near Berchtesgaden. (For exact dates contact the local tourist offices.)

Festivals like the Bauernwochen (Farmer’s Weeks) in Mittenwald in September are great for an experience of local tradition

Plants and wildlife

In all mountain regions different plant communities grow at different altitudes. A walk from the valley floor to the top of an alpine peak will take you through several vegetation zones: cultivated fields and woodland lower down, shrublands and alpine meadows as you ascend. Due to the extreme climatic conditions the higher alpine regions are only relatively sparsely vegetated. In the Bavarian Alps the Latsche or dwarf pine (Pinus mugo) is the most characteristic plant above the treeline (1700–1900m). Related to the pine (Pinus sylvestris), it grows at altitudes up to 2700m and has the appearance of a bush rather than a tree.