Austria - An Early Summer Diary in Bad Hofgastein - Day 6 to 10
Day 6
Good day for a walk up to the Neudeggalm for a drink followed by a Picnic Lunch. The Neudeggalm is above the middle station so it is around 1hr 30 mins from the valley. On this Sunday it was quite busy with walking groups and locals.Very friendly atmosphere. We walked down and took the train from the middle station after our picnic.
Day 7
We left the Gastein Valley today and headed through St Johann on a 45 minute drive to Wagrain. Wagrain's Grafenberg lift is open on a Monday and gave us the opportunity to use our SkiAmade Summer lift pass. The lift itself is about 30 years old so it rattled its way to the top of the mountain. We assumed the lift station would have walking maps but sadly not. We had to rely on the little yellow signs and opted for an approximately 2 hour walk down to the village. Have skied here a few times so nice to see the hills in Summer A pleasant walk on a mild dry day with a necessary pause at the Sonn Alm half way down. On the way home we stopped in St Johann at the Kika department store. TW is a keen shopper so taking her on a long walk before hitting the tills is an excellent tactic. There were welcome complaints of her being too tired to walk around. Must remember for next time.
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| Walking up via the Toboggan Run |
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| Cattle appearing from the forest |
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| TW meeting the locals |
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| View to the Valley |
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| The Aeroplanstadl was closed but the bears shared our picnic |
We left the Gastein Valley today and headed through St Johann on a 45 minute drive to Wagrain. Wagrain's Grafenberg lift is open on a Monday and gave us the opportunity to use our SkiAmade Summer lift pass. The lift itself is about 30 years old so it rattled its way to the top of the mountain. We assumed the lift station would have walking maps but sadly not. We had to rely on the little yellow signs and opted for an approximately 2 hour walk down to the village. Have skied here a few times so nice to see the hills in Summer A pleasant walk on a mild dry day with a necessary pause at the Sonn Alm half way down. On the way home we stopped in St Johann at the Kika department store. TW is a keen shopper so taking her on a long walk before hitting the tills is an excellent tactic. There were welcome complaints of her being too tired to walk around. Must remember for next time.
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| Wagrain - at the top of the Grafenberg |
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| TW on the trail |
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| View to the North from Wagrain |
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| This is my meadow - Lovely Austrian Cow |
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| Lunchtime view towards Kleinarl from the Sonn Alm |
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| TW on the home run to Wagrain |
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| Goat goes to ground in Wagrain |
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| Almost back to Wagrain |
Day 8
Took the long and winding road on my Bike to Biberalm today. Its a 900m climb so it took a while. Getting back down was dramatically quicker. Nice dog at the Biberalm, through the stick for her a few times which we both enjoyed. Few jobs to do in the Apartment so made a start as the weather is a bit cool.
Day 9
Today's walking on the Schlossalm had a ski route H2 theme. A climb from the Middle Station to the top via the MaurachAlm in warm sunshine. Still very quiet. Only saw one small group of Scandinavian walkers. We had a wander around the Lake at the top, could hear the Marmotts singing but did not see any. TW got to sit on her favourite bench overlooking the valley. Bit of lunch in the Kleine Scharte lift station before taking a ride down to the middle in the Cable Car. Wandered across to H2a and clambered down the piste and then the toboggan run to the village. Needed a snooze before setting off for an evening concert given by the local Trachtenmusikkappelle (one of the two town bands) in the Kursaal. A very good evenings entertainment.
Day 10
TW heard the bands playing in town and hurtled off on her bike to watch a procession. We did not realise it was a public holiday today, all the shops were closed. Tonight's Dinner could be interesting. Corpus Christi is 60 days after Easter and, as ever, is a good excuse for a party. Meanwhile, I headed off up the valley towards the Graukogel. Its quite a climb up to, and through, Bad Gastein towards Windischgratzhohe and the middle station 1481m. From there I took the forest road down to Grunen Baum and joined the bike route back to home. Arrived back at the same time as TW who had been up to the Kleine Scharte and had explored a new walking route that heads towards the Kaserebenbahn. Did a few chores and then watched the World Cup, England v Uruguay. 2-1 defeat.
Took the long and winding road on my Bike to Biberalm today. Its a 900m climb so it took a while. Getting back down was dramatically quicker. Nice dog at the Biberalm, through the stick for her a few times which we both enjoyed. Few jobs to do in the Apartment so made a start as the weather is a bit cool.
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| View to the South and Bad Hofgastein |
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| The road home |
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| My mate at the Biberalm |
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| Ebony and Ivory - Nice goats at Biberalm |
Today's walking on the Schlossalm had a ski route H2 theme. A climb from the Middle Station to the top via the MaurachAlm in warm sunshine. Still very quiet. Only saw one small group of Scandinavian walkers. We had a wander around the Lake at the top, could hear the Marmotts singing but did not see any. TW got to sit on her favourite bench overlooking the valley. Bit of lunch in the Kleine Scharte lift station before taking a ride down to the middle in the Cable Car. Wandered across to H2a and clambered down the piste and then the toboggan run to the village. Needed a snooze before setting off for an evening concert given by the local Trachtenmusikkappelle (one of the two town bands) in the Kursaal. A very good evenings entertainment.
Day 10
TW heard the bands playing in town and hurtled off on her bike to watch a procession. We did not realise it was a public holiday today, all the shops were closed. Tonight's Dinner could be interesting. Corpus Christi is 60 days after Easter and, as ever, is a good excuse for a party. Meanwhile, I headed off up the valley towards the Graukogel. Its quite a climb up to, and through, Bad Gastein towards Windischgratzhohe and the middle station 1481m. From there I took the forest road down to Grunen Baum and joined the bike route back to home. Arrived back at the same time as TW who had been up to the Kleine Scharte and had explored a new walking route that heads towards the Kaserebenbahn. Did a few chores and then watched the World Cup, England v Uruguay. 2-1 defeat.
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