Austria - Autumn in the Gastein Valley - Sunshine in Bad Hofgastein

Bad Hofgastein - Follow the Red and White Stripes - 3rd October 2013
Walking in Bad Hofgastein
Bad Hofgastein is only just along the valley from Dorfgastein but the scenery is very different. The mountains are more rugged and go much higher. Walking paths from the top of the Kleine Scharte Lift take you off in all directions. Up means tricky with walks to summits, down means views of the valley. Up means mountain climbing instruction with wires to grab and down means Alm Huts for Lunch and Beer. We are firmly in the down camp. Mind you, walking down is hard on the legs. Trouble is, if you have a seasons pass for the lift, (abt. 80 Euros) its too easy to jump on and find yourself in wonderland.
Top of the mountain
Today we turned right and our route took us North initially and then down H2 to Maurachalm for a drink and then to the BaersteinAlm for lunch. Clear blue skies, autumn colours and mild temperatures. The cows are already down the mountain, only their deposits remain.
Autumn Colours
We will ski over this in two months
Rugged alpine pastures above Bad Hofgastein
TW takes a rest
Old Zirben Pine
In the heather and the shrubs
Valley view - looking North
Beer stopping point - the Maurachalm
Location: Bad Hofgastein, Austria

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