Up by the riverside in the Gastein Valley

Gastein - riverside ride

Waterfall in Bad Gastein

Gastein Ladies

The Gastein Valley is ideal for a leisurely bike ride, especially on a lovely warm sunny day. We took Mr T upstream in the morning towards Bad Gastein. We passed the Gasteiner bathing lake where tourists and locals were enjoying the sun and on past the golf course and Ladies Tennis competition. The Gastein Ladies takes place here every year. Players ranked just outside the top 30 compete on clay.

As we approached Bad Gastein the river cascades down the mountain so we left the bikes walked up the path, past the rushing water, to the town centre.

A massive area in the town centre has been bought up for re-development and it looks a little bit sad at the moment. Previously grand building are left empty. There are still plenty of nice hotels, bars and posh shops still operating though. We found a nice shady spot for a cold beer. Back home for lunch and then a cycle North, down the valley on acycle path, to the village of Dorfgastein. We could not avoid a detour and stop at Schmaranz for a bio beer on the way back to Bad Hofgastein. Mr T hired his bike, it cost 12 Euros for 24 hours. He bore the pain of saddle soreness manfully, in other words, he complained endlessly.  Anyway, he had recovered sufficiently to wander into town in the evening for some 'oompah' music and dancing.