25th August 2010

Well today we tried our first guided hike. We drove to a close suburb and parked in time to catch the 'Wanderbus' or Hiker's Bus. There were 2 guides on board, one to take the easy hike and the other to do the harder hike. They checked our shoes as we got on board the bus and took us a while to work out why. If you didn't have good hiking shoes you couldn't go up into the mountains. But if you didn't have good hiking shoes that was ok because you could get free use of shoes from the tourist office. The overall service of the free guided hikes is brilliant. One couple didn't even have a backpack so they lent them one for several days. So they had free use of shoes, backpack, hiker's bus, guide. What can be better. We didn't have to worry about where to go for the day, how to get there, where to park etc... We just had to get to one of the seven  pick-up points.

Today we went to the Wetterstein Mountains and the Wetterstein Hutte. We hiked for 3hrs15minutes, firstly through the forest on rough track covered with tree roots, then on narrow gravel track to the hut and then the return via gravel forestry road. We enjoyed the hike, gaining 600m in height to get to the hut. And as usual, it was busy. Another hot day and it was a relief to arrive at the hut, have a cold drink and some shade. And, as usual, the hut was situated in a fantastic location. Right at the base of the Wetterstein Mountain. After a short break, I was keen to go up further and closer, but that is one of the short-falls if you are with an orgainsed group, you can't do your own thing. But we had some great views and were satisfied with that.

We decided to take the harder hike and our guide was named Heinz. He was great. Skinny as a rake and I can understand why, when he guides a lot of these hikes during the summer. Here is Heinz with one of the group. He set a fast pace, but we were able to keep up ok.

23rd August 2010

Late start today. Not sure where to go today. Don't think we will join the guided tour as it has the same views as yesterday. A quick look through one of my hiking books and I found the answer. Off we headed to Seefeld in Tirol. A nice little town part way up the mountain NW of Innsbruck. Our first stop is the Tourist Information Office where they have free hiking maps/information. Then off to find a park for the car and the start of our hike.

We hiked to a small lake called Moserer See. Not much there other than the lake but nice views of the Austrian National Park along the way. Also views of the Karwendel mountain range and the Harmelekopf at 2224m. Another nice view was of the Inn River as it flows through a small town,Telfs.The path was mainly along forest roads and made for cool and pleasant walking. They have been having a heat wave here so have had a few very hot days. The hike took us about 4 hours and got us back into town by the time the shops opened. The shops close in Austria for lunch. Usually between 12 and 2.00pm. The only shops open are the cafes and restaurants. But they then open later to compensate.

24th August 2010

Today was forecast to be raining so we decided to go back to Seefeld in Tirol for some shopping. A nice couple of hours of strolling the streets and then back home. Later went for a short drive up a gravel road near our apartment to Kemater alm, the start for a high level hike that we might try on the week-end. Outstanding views so should be worth it.

22nd August 2010

Well today we joined our first guided hike. We got to the tourist office early and sat on a seat outside awaiting the arrival of the guide. And the people just kept rolling in. Must have been 50 people at least. And 1 guide. We walked about 20minutes up the street to the base station of the Muttereralmbahn (mountain lift) and free of charge, caught the lift to the top and the start of the hike. The guide gave us all some information about the surrounding area, took us for a walk around a lake and then, with our return ticket in our pockets, we set off on our own and hiked further than most of the others. It was a nice hike, through forestry roads, undulating up and down and without any great difficulties. We hiked for 3.5 hours and I estimated that we hiked about 15km. We came across Gotzneralm and had lunch and a cold drink before heading back to the starting point, down the lift and home. Not sure if we like these guided hikes though. But we will try again. We hope that there so many because it was a Sunday.

This is Gotzneralm where we had lunch. We are still amazed that you can walk for hours and come across this in the middle of the forest. And so packed we could not find a seat.

21st August 2010

We found the apartment yesterday, but I think by sheer fluke. I had printed out directions from Google Maps and I think it takes you via the shortest route. How we ever foung it I just don't know. But find it we did and our host Maria is so nice. Even though she doesn't speak english, her daughter who lives with her does, and so does the daughter that lives next door. So we all manage one way or another. The apartment is really nice and has wonderful views, similar to Forstau.
This is the view from our kitchen window. Imagine trying to cook tea with this to distract you.

View from the lounge room.

View of  Maria's house.

As in Forstau, we get a tourist card called Club Innsbruck Card. It gives us free of charge, Innsbruck mountain hiking programme, all the cross-country buses and the hiker's buses. Each day a full programme of free events is published and Maria leaves a copy at my door. The only trouble is trying to fit it all in. Free farm tour, free Tyrolean evening/concert, free carriage ride with donkey carriage, learn asphalt curling, free night lantern hike to a mountain inn with an evening of Tyrolean music (this is on every Tuesday night), to name a few. And these are just for the next couple of days.

Today we had an easy day just settling in and driving to one of the areas where I want to do some hiking, the Stubaital. We have decided to join the guided hike tomorrow. We meet the guide at the local tourist office. I am amazed at the variety of hikes that they guide. I thought it would only be just local, but they are in all the  areas that I was hoping to do some hikes so this is just great. They even go into Germany. I don't have to worry about getting to the hiking areas or working out which hike, it is all organised. And they have what they call kombiwandern, where there are 2 guides and you choose on the day whether to take the easier hike or the harder. There is a guide for each. Brilliant. We will see tomorrow what it is all about.

20th August 2010

Today we had to say goodbye to Annabel and our wonderful little apartment at Forstau and head towards Innsbruck. One of the sights that I did not want to miss seeing was the Grossglockner Hochalpinestrasse, but to date, the weather was not good enough to go and see it at it's best. So, I just had to hope that the Gods were smiling down on us and gave us plenty of sun today. I had read so much about this road and seen heaps of photos on the internet, I was hoping that it lived up to it's reputation. And it excelled all. We had to pay a toll to drive on the road, Euros22, but I think you will see from the photos that it was more than worth it. The section of the road subject to the toll is about 35km long. Right from the toll booth, the road starts to twist and turn as it makes it's way higher and higher. The mountains preside on one side and the road snakes it's way up on the other. The goal for everyone is the Grossglockner, the highest moutain in Austria at 3798m high, part of the Hohe Tauern National Park. It is a stunning setting and the effort to build this road must have been enormous.

The highest mountain is the Grossglockner.

One of the things that amazed us, was the number of cyclists who rode the strasse. I can think of better things to be doing than sweating my guts out riding up to the top. Incredible. We were in awe of these guys. Girls as well. They also encourage motorcycles. They even have a section called 'Bikers Point'. At the information centre overlooking the Grossglockner and the glacier, you can see the blue lockers that they provide for bikers to lock up their gear while they go sightseeing or hiking or walking on the glacier.

This is a small town at the southern end of the Hochalpinestrasse, Heiligenblut. The mountain in the background is the Grossglockner.

Well we had to drag ourselves away from the Hochalpinestrasse and head to our next apartment, at a small village south of Innsbruck called Grinzens. I hope we can find it.

19th August 2010

We had such a big day yesterday, today is for some sight-seeing. Our guest card has us a free day in Salzburg, so off we go. We have been there before, but so long ago, it was nice to go back for another look. We drove to a local suburb and caught the train as parking in Salzburg is very difficult. Salzburg is a nice city but rather spoiled by the thousand of tourists all cramming in such a small space. Not that I can talk, we were amongst the tourists!!

Then it was off home to pack for an early start tomorrow for our next accommodation near Innsbruck. Here are a few piccies of Salzburg.....