After a very long, chaotic, traffic-laden journey by road from Scotland to Harwich, we finally arrived at the docks. It had been a tiring drive, filled with delays and detours, but we made it. We stayed here overnight to catch the morning ferry.
Taking the ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland offered a scenic and relaxing start to our European road trip. On arriving in the Netherlands, a picturesque drive through Holland’s charming towns and vibrant landscapes awaited us. The journey continued as we headed towards Germany to the city of Stuttgart. Here we were catching up with a friend we had met whilst hiking the GR20 in Corsica last year.
Stuttgart – Saturday 27th July 2024
Stuttgart is known for its rich automotive history and vibrant cultural scene. The legendary Sting was even performing in the city square, making our reunion with Mike even more special as we enjoyed our evening meal and drinks together listening to the music in this dynamic and lively city.
Innsbruck – Sunday 28th July 2024
Leaving Stuttgart the following morning, the journey to Innsbruck in Austria promised stunning scenery and a sense of adventure. As we drove through the picturesque landscapes of southern Germany, we passed by charming villages, lush forests and rolling hills. Crossing into Austria, the breathtaking views of the Alps greeted us with their majestic peaks and serene valleys.
Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Alps, is a picturesque city renowned for its stunning alpine scenery and rich cultural heritage. Surrounded by towering peaks, the city offers a unique blend of natural beauty and vibrant urban life. Its charming Old Town features colorful medieval buildings, the iconic Golden Roof and the impressive Imperial Palace.
Innsbruck is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering world-class skiing and hiking opportunities. With its combination of historical charm, modern amenities and breathtaking landscapes, it captivates visitors with its enchanting alpine allure.
Innsbruck – Monday 29th July 2024
Day one saw us hiking the Top of Innsbruck to Goetheweg Ridge. This trail offered some stunning panoramic views of the Karwendel mountain range and the Inn Valley below. The trail followed the ridgeline, providing us with a mix of gentle slopes and more challenging sections, all set against a backdrop of rugged peaks and lush valleys.
Named after the famous German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who was inspired by these very mountains, the hike is both a physical and I guess cultural journey, offering us some stunning natural views.
Innsbruck – Tuesday 30th July 2024
Day two saw us hike the Patscherkofel Summit Hike in Innsbruck across the valley from yesterdays hike. This was a delightful alpine trek that provided us with stunning vistas and a satisfying climb that was both beautiful and tranquil. The Patscherkofel Mountain, is known as Innsbruck’s “house mountain.”
There was ample opportunities to pause and take in the breathtaking views of the Inn Valley and the surrounding peaks of the Tux and Stubai Alps. At 2,246 meters, the summit offers a 360-degree panorama that is truly spectacular, making the effort well worth it.
From here we then headed to KitzbĆ¼hel to stay the night. This drive took us through some of Austria’s most beautiful alpine landscapes. We travelled through charming villages and lush meadows, with the towering peaks of the Alps as a constant backdrop.
KitzbĆ¼hel – Wednesday 31st July 2024
Arriving in KitzbĆ¼hel, nestled in the Austrian Alps, we found a picturesque town known for its medieval architecture, vibrant aprĆØs-ski scene and renowned skiing and snowboarding slopes.
With its cobblestone streets and vibrant cultural scene, KitzbĆ¼hel offers a perfect blend of traditional charm and modern luxury. In winter, it transforms into a skiing paradise, hosting the legendary Hahnenkamm race, while summer invites visitors to explore its lush meadows, hiking trails and golf courses.
KitzbĆ¼hel – Thursday 1st August 2024
Next day we hiked The KitzbĆ¼heler Horn, one of the most iconic peaks in the Austrian Alps. Rising to 1,996 meters, it provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
In winter, the KitzbĆ¼heler Horn transforms into a haven for skiers and snowboarders, with a variety of slopes catering to all skill levels. Come summer, it becomes a paradise for hikers and cyclists, with well-marked trails leading through lush meadows and diverse flora.
After our hike we headed along the valley to the lakeside town of Zell am See. We had read this was a picturesque town in the Austrian state of Salzburg renowned for its stunning alpine scenery and crystal-clear Lake Zell.
Nestled between the majestic peaks of the Hohe Tauern mountains and the serene waters of the lake, this popular year-round destination offers a variety of outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking and boating. Here there was a blend of traditional Austrian architecture and modern amenities, making it an attractive enough spot I guess, but it wasn’t really for us so we moved on.
Grossglockner High Alpine Road – Friday 2nd August 2024
Driving over the Grossglockner High Alpine Road was a mesmerising experience that took us through some of Austria’s most breathtaking landscapes. This iconic route, which winds through the Hohe Tauern National Park, offers 48 kilometers of thrilling hairpin turns, panoramic views and dramatic elevation changes, peaking at Hochtor Pass at 2,504 meters above sea level.
As we ascended, we passed through diverse climatic zones, from lush meadows and dense forests to rocky alpine terrain, with a massive drop in temperature, a huge increase in cloud and some rain just to add to the atmosphere.
The road provides numerous viewpoints and information points where you can stop, take in the awe-inspiring scenery and learn about the region’s geology, flora and fauna. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a photography buff, or simply looking for an unforgettable drive, the Grossglockner High Alpine Road promises an adventure that encapsulates the majestic beauty of the Austrian Alps.
Pasterze Glacier Hike – Saturday 3rd August 2024
Nestled in the heart of Austria, the Pasterze Glacier Hike offers an unforgettable experience.
The hike provides a unique opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the Eastern Alps’ highest peak, Grossglockner, standing tall at 3,798 meters (12,461 feet). This adventure through Austriaās pristine wilderness is more than just a trek; it’s a journey through time, showcasing the power and beauty of glacial landscapes shaped over millennia.
Our journey begans at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hƶhe, a renowned viewpoint and starting point for many mountain adventures. At an elevation of 2,369 meters (7,772 feet), this vantage point offers panoramic views of the Pasterze Glacier, Austriaās longest glacier, stretching 8.4 kilometers (5.2 miles).
The trail allows you to get up close to this ancient ice, feeling the chill and witnessing the glacierās slow but powerful movement.
We encountered crevasses and moraines, which illustrate the immense force and movement of the ice over time.
One of the most profound aspects of the hike is observing the impact of climate change on the glacier. Over recent decades, the Pasterze has receded significantly, providing a stark visual reminder of our changing planet.
Reaching the end of the Pasterze Glacier Hike brings a profound sense of accomplishment. The breathtaking views, the crisp alpine air and the humbling experience of standing beside an ancient glacier create memories that will last a lifetime. This hike connects you with natureās raw power and beauty.
The alpine meadows and rocky outcrops are home to a variety of flora and fauna. We even got to see a couple of marmots.
Auf Wiedersehen Austria š¦š¹ and Ciao Italy š®š¹ !
Mary's Outdoor Adventure's 
hi Mary forvsome reason I canāt read anything on your blog . Have you forgotten to add photos? A. Lena xx
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Hi there….yes for some strange reason it’s not bringing it up until you click on the but that says ‘pages 1,2’….once tou click there it should open up. I’m not getting enough wi-fi to go on and properly check. Let me know if this works, please? X
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Hi Mary/Andy another amazing trip you are both having to add to your travels. It brought back good memories for me as it took me back to being 20. We were on a skiing trip in Kitzbuhel everywhere looked so lovely covered in snow. Have to admit we never got off the nursery slopes. I have very fond memories of our time in Austria. I also met a guy called Wolfgang we kept in touch for a while.
It is good to see you are both back in your happy place doing what you love doing. Lots of love Theresa xx
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Hi there….ow wow, that’s amazing you’ve been to Kitzbuhel. I said to Andy I would love to see it in snow, although in summertime it’s beautiful I can imagine winter time being even better! Love the sound of Wolfgang, what a name!! Yes, it’s definitely great to be back on the road as time of late has been so limited! Although one more year to go then the world is my oyster š….it’s in the planning already š® š«¢
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Hi Mary keep on starting message the phone rings !!
It was lovely to see pictures of Austria at this time of year. Guess it wasnāt quite as challenging as when you did GR20 perhaps different sort of challenges. A guy in our walking group 70 years old went off to do GR11 he had to cut his trip short as he tried to make a hot drink after putting his tent up in the dark and spilled hot water on his foot. Sheila his wife was relieved that he turned back as the whole family were concerned he had gone off on his own. They are quite experienced walkers climbers. I think he pushed himself on that particular day and was over tired.
It was great you caught up with your friend was that the guy you met on the GR20.
Lots of love Theresa xx
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Yes, I guess when you’re there, you always think of how it would look in a different season.
The GR20 was a whole different level in terms of the endless hours of hiking for days on end with very little food and the conditions in the ‘campsites’ and I use that term very loosley cause as mentioned before we were mainly pitching our tents on boulders and on strange angles we had very little respite. This is a whole different ball game and a walk in the park in comparison lol.
Shame for the guy you know having to cut his trip short – he will be gutted, albeit and annoyed he has done something ‘silly’ to impact so much on his trip!
Yes, Mike was the Irish guy we passed on day one who we didn’t think would make it lol. And after getting to camp very late that night, he was for packing it all in. We however convinced him to keep going and from there on in he stayed with us the whole trip, setting off 2-3hours ahead of us in the mornings so we would catch him at the more ‘technical’ points and he had our help. It was so lovely to meet up with him and his family when we were clean, relaxed and able to eat and drink, but we suffered badly the next day and had to delay our travels, lol. X
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