Twelve years ago, I’d already been to Lake Gelmer with Lilo. Apparently, I’d managed to successfully block out the fact that the ride on the Gelmerbahn is really not for the faint-hearted. Europe’s steepest open funicular is certainly an experience, but I preferred to spend the journey holding on to Tia and my belongings and looking up at the sky as often as possible.
I was all the more delighted to find that dogs are very welcome on the train. They travel on a child’s ticket and are even given a poo bag and a treat – a small gesture that I really appreciate.
Before heading up the mountain, we popped over to the suspension bridge next to the valley station. A quick walk across, a photo in the middle and back again – that was more than enough for me.
Once we reached the top, we walked all the way round Lake Gelmer. It’s precisely on the narrow and, at times, challenging paths that I’m grateful every time that I can rely on Tia. She’s in control of her legs, stays focused and doesn’t get up to any mischief. That meant I could concentrate fully on my own steps.
Generally speaking, Tia is a brilliant hiking companion. Even though suspension bridges and metal walkways aren’t exactly her favourite surfaces, she goes along with everything. She even handles encounters with other dogs on narrow paths with ease.
Back home, the first thing on the agenda was breakfast and a well-deserved afternoon nap. And photos of the train journey? You’ll just have to imagine those – I definitely didn’t have enough hands or the nerve for that.
