Gorgeous day today to hike this beautiful trail. I was worried it might just be one of those shady forest trails that then opens up to a lake and you're done - but on the contrary, this had varying, lovely views and different angles on the surroundings mountains and forests and also presented a nice mix of stretches in the shade (definitely needed that today) and out in the sun.
Took me 90 minutes to get to the lake and around 75 minutes back. I'm no expert hiker but was not really doing breaks and was going faster than most around me so I'd plan around 2,5-3 hours walking plus a generous break down at the gorgeous lake - I took an hour there.
The way is not supersteep but somewhat strenuous due to the rocks you have to scramble over in some parts. Not "get on all fours" bad but also no Sunday stroll in the park. I recommend hiking boots or at least shoes with a sturdy sole. I used hiking poles for stability and was glad I did but they definitely aren't an absolute necessity.
Saw many dogs both on and off leashes. They were friendly but I was feeling uneasy about a couple of the bigger ones (hearing a big, unleashed dog breathe down your neck and follow you around the trail when its owner is nowhere in sight can do that to ya..) and wished people took the leash law more seriously. But I guess these owners trust their dogs to behave and I'll just have to trust them in turn. Saw some smaller or older dogs who had to turn around though - this trail only seems to be for fit doggies..
Go in the morning so a) you won't completely burn on those long exposed stretches if it's a sunny day and b) you get a headstart on the crowds. Being this beautiful, it is no wonder the trail is busy, but it does get annoying when you have to wait a lot to let many other people pass as the trail is very narrow most of the way and one party has to considerably slow down or stop to let others pass - as this is a return trip with two way traffic, that definitely becomes an issue.
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