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

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Although it is not the driest region in the Alps (precipitation averages between 1000mm per year in the valleys, and 2000mm per year in the alpine regions), the Allgäu is blessed with a relatively mild climate which, combined with its great diversity of soil types, has contributed to a richly varied flora. There is no other region in the Alps where so many different species of wildflower grow so close together. In spring soldanellas and crocus push their way up through the retreating snow, while dark blue gentians dot the drier slopes. Early summer is the time for red alpenrose, yellow gentian, monk’s hood and alpine aquilegia to decorate the mountainsides. Those who are lucky might even find the rare lady’s slipper orchid or the famed edelweiss. In autumn carline thistles and purple autumn crocus (meadow saffron) offer some compensation for the shorter days and cooler temperatures.

The Kleinwalsertal

This valley was settled by farmers from the Valais, a canton in Switzerland, in the 13th century. Although it has belonged to Austria since 1453 it is only easily accessible from Germany. This caused problems for farmers when it came to selling their produce within Austria as they had to cross high alpine passes to get to markets in the south. In winter they were completely isolated from the motherland. This difficult and economically disastrous state of affairs came to an end in 1891 when Austria and Germany signed a treaty which exempted the ‘Walser’ from the need to pay duty on goods brought to and from Germany.