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2024 Austrian Alps

August - September 2024
Meeting in Brand with 9 friends for hiking in the Austrian 🇦🇹 Alps followed by a road trip through Italy 🇮🇹 and Switzerland 🇨🇭. Read more

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  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
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Friendship, Group travel, Hiking, Nature, Photography, Sightseeing, Vacation, Wildlife
  • 19.7kkilometers traveled
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  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps

    Arrival in Switzerland

    August 30, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    We touched down in Zürich, Switzerland, greeted by a picture-perfect sunny day. Despite our flight, AA92, being delayed by nearly four hours, Sixt kept our rental car reservation ready, which was a relief. Ursula’s brother, Wally, and his girl friend Marli welcomed us with open arms, making us feel instantly at home in the serene countryside of Thurgau, an agricultural gem of Switzerland.

    Wally’s backyard is a little haven, complete with fruit trees and thriving tomatoes plants. After a 14-hour journey, we’re absolutely exhausted. The kitchen crew is preparing a light dinner, but staying awake feels like a real challenge. I know myself—sleep is not far off!

    Tomorrow promises to be exciting as we’re invited to one of Wally’s friends for an authentic Swiss Raclette dinner. Looking forward to it!    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps

    Tägerschen, Switzerland

    August 31, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 82 °F

    I woke up to a gorgeous, sunny day, with the scents of Switzerland's countryside filling the air.

    In the morning, Wally’s landlady, Ruth, invited us over for a chat and a glass of wine. At 91, she’s nothing short of incredible—staying fit with regular gymnastics and swimming. She’s sharp as a tack, managing her finances and even trading stocks. Truly inspiring!

    Later in the afternoon, we headed to Tägerschen, about 20 minutes away, to visit Wally’s friend Claude. He has a lovely home with a pool—just what we needed to cool off on this warm Saturday. As the sun dipped behind the farmhouse next door, dinner was served. Claude treated us to a delicious Raclette with all the fixings, paired with a special Italian red from the Abruzzo region of Italy . Time flew by quickly among such great company and engaging conversations as jetlag reminded me it was already 11:30 PM .

    It was a wonderful day and evening!    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps

    Kurt & Renata

    September 1, 2024 in Switzerland ⋅ 🌩️ 79 °F

    After a relaxed, late breakfast, we made our way to Oberwinterthur for a short visit with our friends, Kurt and Renata. They had recently moved from Zürich to this town, and we were excited to see their new place and catch up on how they were adjusting. Their apartment in a modern building was impressive, offering a breathtaking view of the city and the distant mountains.

    A late afternoon thunderstorm rolled in, cooling the air as Wally grilled veal sausages for dinner. These sausages, a specialty of the St. Gallen region, are a delicacy we always look forward to enjoying!

    Tomorrow, we head to Brand in the Austrian Alps to meet up with (other) older friends for a week of sightseeing and hiking before continuing on a road trip through Northern Italy.    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps
    1

    Arrrival in Brand, Austria

    September 2, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    We arrived in Brand, Austria, just in time for a brief afternoon rain shower. Brand, a charming tourist resort in western Austria, is nestled at an elevation of 3,310 feet, located about five kilometers from the Swiss border and eight kilometers east of Liechtenstein.

    Our group leader, Peter, who knows the area well, had arranged accommodations for everyone at Hotel Tannleger. Our room on the second floor is both modern and cozy, with all the essentials for a comfortable stay.

    The hotel also offers a lovely wellness center, complete with a Finnish sauna, steam room, and infrared room, which I plan to enjoy after our daily hikes.

    Another great benefit staying at Hotel Tannleger was the digital guest pass for the entire duration of our stay, granting us free access to local buses and several mountain lifts in the region.

    Dinner at the restaurant Guffer55, situated accross from the church, was exceptional. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Peter’s brother, Freddi, whom I met for the first time. He’s a retired business executive with a career spanning several countries, including the United States and Canada, and now resides near Lausanne in the French-speaking part of Switzerland.

    Tomorrow, we’re gearing up for a hike up to and around Lünersee, which sits at an elevation of 6,463 feet.    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps
    11

    Lünersee, Austria

    September 3, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    Today, we hiked up to the stunning Lünersee and followed a trail that circled the picturesque blue lake.

    The Lünersee lake dam was built in the 1950s. It collects water from the surrounding mountains, which is then used to generate hydroelectric power, contributing to the region's renewable energy supply.

    Four of the more experienced hikers—Peter, Jörg, Freddi, and Bernhard—took on an extra challenge, adding a side loop to the Totlalphütte at 7,824 feet. They later rejoined us at the Lünersee Dam restaurant.

    We were fortunate to have a semi-sunny day, just perfect for this adventure.

    Dinner this evening was at Heuboda, a charming restaurant in the town of Brand.    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps

    Brand - Glingaweg -> Panoramaweg

    September 4, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    This morning, six of us hit the trail early, knowing rain was in the forecast for the afternoon.

    We took on the steep Glingaweg trail, which winds through a gorge with waterfalls, and made our way up to Melkboden Alp, where we treated ourselves to some delicious apple strudel and cider.

    From there, we followed the Panoramaweg towards Parpfienzalp.

    The well-marked trail climbed along a small creek through the forest before leveling out and leading us to our destination, where the rest of our hiking group was waiting.

    Along the way, Jörg and I spotted edible wild mushrooms and started collecting them. Jörg, an avid mushroom hunter, always carries a bag and a Swiss Army knife in his backpack—just in case.

    The total five-hour hike was stunning, with nice views of the Brand valley—and not a single drop of rain! Unfortunately, my arthrithis knees started hurting badly and we wrapped up the adventure by taking the free gondola down to the Village.

    Tonight, we’re splitting up for dinner. We’ll be joining Wally and Marli, who are saying googbye to us tomorrow. Wally reserved a table at Restaurant M75, and the menu looks promising!    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps
    11

    Panoramaweg #2

    September 5, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    At 9:40, we gathered at the main bus stop for today’s adventure. We started by taking the regular bus, then switched to a smaller one that navigated a long, narrow, winding road up to Tschengla, where our 3.5-hour hike began.

    The trail along the gently ascending Panoramaweg led us to Burschasattel, once again offering breathtaking views. Along the way, Peter’s brother Jörg continued adding wild mushrooms to his growing collection—a wonderful gift from nature if you know what to pick!

    We passed cows grazing on steep alpine fields, meadows, and ski slopes. The thought crossed my mind: how much longer will I be able to snowboard, given my worsening knee problem?

    Almost at the top, we stopped at the Frööd restaurant and enjoyed an assortment of delicious pastries and refreshing drinks. Afterward, the more adventurous hikers continued to the summit of Loischkopf, while the rest of us took the gondola down to the Brand base station.

    Back at the hotel, I relaxed with another sauna session and rested my knees before we all headed to a rustic hut above the local golf course for a BBQ dinner.

    A light evening rain cooled things off but had stopped by the time we walked back to the hotel in the dark for a good night’s sleep.    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps
    1

    Hiking high above Lech

    September 6, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Today, Peter drove us to Lech, Austria, a destination often compared to the prestigious St. Moritz in Switzerland.

    We started by taking a gondola up to Oberlech, followed by a chairlift to Petersboden, where our hike began.

    The ascent to Kriegeralpe was a gentle climb along a pleasant gravel road, and we couldn’t resist stopping at the alp restaurant to indulge in a delicious prune tart topped with whipped cream. The weather was ideal—sunny with a few clouds and temperatures in the 60s—perfect for hiking.

    Afterward, we hiked for another hour, reaching a stunning viewpoint before splitting into two groups. One group made their way back down to Lech, while the more adventurous hikers continued to Buzensee before looping back to meet everyone in Lech. The hike once again offered breathtaking views of the valleys below and the surrounding mountains.

    Dinner tonight was at Romantikhus, where we enjoyed the best culinary experience we've had in Brand so far—a generous treat from our friends Bernhard and Elisabeth.    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps

    Stein in Walsertal, Austria

    September 7, 2024 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Today, we ventured into the beautiful Walsertal, starting with a gondola ride from the charming village of Sonntag across the valley to Stein.

    From there, a rather steep trail led us through lush alpine pastures and small pine forests, winding ever higher until we reached the Wandfluhhütte.

    After a well-earned rest, some of us continued on to Alpe Breithorn, where we enjoyed local snacks while soaking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. On this sunny Saturday, the trails were bustling with fellow hikers and tons of mountain bikers.

    On our way back to Brand, we made a quick stop in Bludenz for some shopping before returning to the hotel for a refreshing shower. We ended the day with yet another delicious dinner at Guffer55, a perfect closure to the hiking portion of our trip.

    Tomorrow, we embark on a 9-day road trip through southern Tirol, northern Italy, and back to Switzerland to reunite with Wally, Marli, and meet up with Anina and Jeremy. Adventure awaits!

    Looking ahead, I wonder where we will all meet next year for a new hiking adventure.    Read more

  • Traveler2024 Austrian Alps
    1

    Start of our 8-day Road Trip

    September 8, 2024 in Austria ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    This morning, we bid farewell to our hiking friends and embarked on our 8-day road trip.

    Our first stop was Innsbruck, where we explored the Swarovski Visitor Center and exhibition. It was fascinating to see the various creative uses of glass and man-made crystals. (Check out the pictures below!)

    As rain clouds rolled in, we decided to head towards the Brenner Pass and find a place to stay for the night. Google Maps led us to Gasthof und Pension Schützenwirt in Steinach.

    Our double room in this beautifully renovated farmhouse was simple but charming. For dinner, I had a delicious beef goulash, while the mixed salad, made with fresh ingredients straight from the farm’s vegetable garden, was a real treat. Ursula opted for a classic Wiener Schnitzel with Pommes.

    The evening became even more memorable when the restaurant owner, Mr. Klotz, joined us at our table. We shared stories from our lives, making for a delightful and enriching conversation.

    Tomorrow, despite the forecasted rain, we’ll be making our way towards South Tirol and the Dolomites. Adventure continues!    Read more

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