Wading down through a Bavarian river to get up close to nature

Holding onto a cable as we walk down the river. — Photos: THOMAS LINKEL/erlebe.bayern/dpa

Kitted out in waders, carrying audio guides and climbing harnesses, we carefully descend stone steps directly into the river.

The Chamb River winds its way through the terrain. Steel cables are stretched across the river, which begins in the Czech Republic and later flows into the Regen River. Here, in Germany’s Upper Palatinate, they mark the Eisvogelsteig trail, or Kingfisher Trail.