Hiking trails do not go through forests all the time. As a visual respite, we welcome scenic fields from time to time, too. And during all our hikes, we have certainly seen quite a few dramatic field landscapes.
Our Hiking Fields of Dreams
This is the field in Auvers sur Oise that has inspired van Gogh’s painting Champ de Blé aux Corbeaux. Well, the wheat evidently went AWOL as did the crows on the day we passed by.
After a steep uphill hike, a hiker would usually hope to have his efforts rewarded by a magnificent view from up on high. Not for us on our day hike in Crecy la Chapelle. This was what greeted us after that strenuous uphill walk.
This field is in Etrechy, a town as rural as the deepest of France and it’s only an hour away from Paris.
Fields of grapes: This one was in the St Germain en Laye castle grounds ….
…. and this one was in Germany, seen through a train window.
An industrial ruin in Dortmund in the State of North Rhine Westphalia, the once pulsating heart of Germany’s economic miracle seen from a field nearby.
Strictly speaking not a field but a meadow on top of the hills of Eastbourne, but for us city bumpkins, it has the air of the rural.
Contrary to what you may believe, this is not a field by the Alps. It’s somewhere in the Rockies.
This is our contribution to Nancie’s weekly Travel Photo Thursday. Check out other contributors on her site.
The last one is really breathtaking! I wish I could live at such a beautiful place… it would be so nice to drink my morning-coffe on a terrace with a view like this.
All of these are lovely. Grapes mean wine…I’m there!
Gorgeous. I’m a big fan of the expansive views of fields. One of my favorite memories is the yellow mustard-colored fields in the spring that I encountered just after moving to the Czech Republic.
Looks like a very nice place.. I hope someday I can go and visit for a week or so in this relaxing places..
I love open spaces when I’m hiking. In Switzerland, I loved walking amongst fields dotted with cows.
Nifty choice of shots!
Oh, I had to go look up meadow and field — thought they were the same. Love all your shots, but especially the meadow. Beautiful, Michael, very beautiful.
Totally amazing pictures of beautiful fields! My favorite is the field of grapes, it is really wonderful!
An absolutely beautiful collection of scenic fields. I love the Etrechy and the Rockies photos. How lucky for both of you to stumble upon these landscapes.
I”m with you there, Sabrina. Perfect ingredients for a scenic outing.
I like the fields, but you’re right. They’re not what I would think of when thinking about hiking :) I like the one of Eastbourne best because it has something of everything: sea, hills, fields :)
Oh yes, Andi, I totally agree. Fields can be rather a welcome site after going through a forest.
Lisa, As I understand it, fields are for growing crops on (wheat, corn, etc), whereas a meadow is for grazing (cows, sheep, horses, etc) and picknicking (for people like me)
That tour in the Sonoma County sounds inviting, Cathy.
I agree. Fields and meadows are beautiful places for hikes. Love your selection of places. I enjoy walking through vineyards and there’s a group that does tours through several of them in Sonoma County.
You’ve proven that fields can be just as beautiful as forests! That vineyard in the St Germain en Laye castle grounds sure is gorgeous.
Love all the landscapes (particularly the one in the Rockies) but you have to tell me – What’s the difference between a field and a meadow?
Yes, Debbie, California is one of my planned hiking destinations. Hopefully, in the nearest future.
Come on over, Sophie. You know where to find us.
I enjoyed seeing the fields you’ve passed while hiking! Grape vines seem to everywhere. They do ‘pretty up’ landscapes sometimes (at least here in California).
So many lovely spots in France I’ve yet to see…
Hah, if only I can marry hiking with baseball. That would be a dream, Jeremy.
I definitely love the fields. So colorful and peaceful. Wide open landscapes are beautiful and we have a lot of that out here in California. However, with the title of this post, I was expecting something about baseball. :)
Yep, Spring is the time to take those hiking boots out, Jackie.
Leigh, you have to come to Germany and hike along the old industrial heartland. It’s an all different landscape. True, not pastoral but still quite interesting. Just think, in 100 years, what would remain of Manhattan and how would people view it?
Oh, the hope of spring in these photos and the wanderlust desire to pull out our hiking boots. We’ve still got snow in the mountains around us in Washington State, but the meadows and fields are turning green.
I always love a field of grapes (love your photos) or flowers. France conjures up memories of fields of sunflowers and poppies for me. I’m happy with a pastoral scene too – industrial ones not so much.
Absolutely, Bob.
Thanks, Muza-chan.
Escape, Pamela.
Where there are grape vines, wine isn’t far away. :) I like the hills of Eastbourne area pictured, quite a geographic variety.
Great article and photos, I love your site :)
The beautiful blue skies and wide open spaces make me wish I could go hiking tomorrow rather than going to work.