This year, September wasn’t the typical late summer with a lot of sun, but instead, with weather that reminded me more of April. Fortunately, the weather was decent enough during the weekends.

The first hike was a return to a place I visited 13 years ago – coincidentally, in quite bad weather. We didn’t take exactly the same trail in the first half, and I know I haven’t been able to enjoy the shared half back then anyway because it was cloudy with cold rain. So, I was hoping for something better.

The ascension – not exactly short one – started with a bit of valley walk and then it too us steadily uphill. Our efforts were accompanied by the echoes of tank practice from the nearby shooting range, which was definitely a strange experience.

Eventually, we reached above the tree line and could enjoy the scenery of the hills. Despite the photo above, clouds still floated around, and various peaks around were in clear view one moment and shrouded in clouds a while later. This had some extra charm when it happened around the nearby rocky peak we were to eventually visit later that day.

But the same was the case in almost any direction once we reached the highest peak of the day, shortly after noon.

We took a break there, but the clouds started to favor the mountain, and we decided to keep moving to stay warm. Descending this peak was quite swift, and soon, we were nearing the chain of white rocks we had admired from a distance during the last part of our initial ascension. I took the time to enjoy the scenery around, not just the peak ahead.

Including the peak we have just descended.

Given the bad weather we had 13 years ago, I admit I was quite surprised by this part of the trail – I remembered very little of it past the chill of the cold rain back then, and that we could barely see ten meters ahead. So, the view took me by surprise.

Back then, we took the lower trail, bypassing the jagged peaks. This time, I had the chance to enjoy the upper trail with its views.

As well as the views below the peak once we were making our way down.

Eventually, it was a nice hike, with no small amount of luck as other nearby areas had quite some rain.

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The next week, I was completely out of ideas, so I decided to just grab one of the failproof ideas and go somewhere I know well, focused more on getting some much-needed physical activity to clear my mind rather than seek out nicer sights.

The trail follows a stream with several cascades, which has been repeatedly closed in the last 20-ish years, the last time after the flood a year ago. Nature has also been steadily recovering from the storm in 2004, and the growing trees block the view more each year. It’s still nice to see, but taking photos is getting harder by the year.

Especially as the goal is to let the valley be as close to nature as possible, so fallen trees and other obstacles are removed only in amounts that are absolutely necessary to keep the trail passable.

And thus, taking a photo of the largest waterfall, with the trail being repositioned higher above the valley floor, became complicated.

Once I reached the upper portions of the hills, I could enjoy some views. Compared to the previous days, it was warm, even despite the wind.

And, continuing the main trail, it’s finally been getting some much-needed maintenance of the wooden walkways through the damper parts.

I also stopped by a small rock formation that’s also been overgrown by the nearby trees, before starting my descent.

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The last hike of the month was quite near my home, with a small overlap with one of the hikes I had some two months before. Resembling autumn even more, the morning was foggy and damp.

But the forests had plenty of photo-worthy treasure at my feet.

Thus, a good part of my photos featured fungi of many colors and shapes, though I did make sure to enjoy the scenery when the forests opened up.

As well as some of the autumn flowers.

Walking through the grassy parts wasn’t that great given the dampness, but that’s autumn hiking.

Eventually, we neared the main peak, and stopped by a small rock formation below the peak.

And admired the view of a small bolete growing on the overturned stump of a fallen tree.

And soon after, we descended towards the valley, and my September adventures were over.

I hope that October will be gentle with its weather and allow me to enjoy the charming colors of autumn, which is always a picturesque part of the year.