Katrinberg cable car and hiking

Richard’s birthday!
Today we took the bus into Bad Ischl again with the aim of riding the cable car up nearby Katrinberg.
When we arrived in Bad Ischl the Friday market was in full swing - selling everything from vegetables, fruit, cheeses and bread to local crafts. We had not planned for this but it was great fun and we slightly weighed ourselves down given the hiking to come with strawberries, apples and one or two other things (more soap included).
Then walked up to the cable car and took the long ride up the mountain - takes about 20 minutes and goes pretty much straight up.
The views, even from the cable car station, were spectacular. Much closer to the Dachstein and its glacier than when we were on the Postalm.
Chose a round hiking route that turned out to be quite tough. Up steeply to the cross at the Katrinberg peak itself (where some people had come up on the via Ferrara - I’d love to do this!). Then on to the Elfenkogel - another cross but not too much more climbing.
It was very hot - better than in the valley but still quite hard for climbing. Toby wasn’t highly amused by the experience but managed well with a bit of noise.
The route down was meant to be a bit of a shortcut from the main route and turned out to be ‘for experienced hikers only’ tho not signposted as such at the top of the trail, only at the bottom! We did manage but it was quite tricky in parts.
Our reward was to chill out in an idyllic spot with food, drinks and deckchairs. Pretty perfect and clear views to the Dachstein.
After taking the cable car back down we wandered back to the bus - Richard bought an alpine hat and we ate ice cream.
Dinner at the hotel sitting outside in the garden - another delicious meal and for about the first time I didn’t over order! Toby enjoyed his panko mushrooms and prawn pasta - he’s eating all sorts of of new things and seems to be enjoying it.Read more