I love summer nights out in the mountains. Hiking up at night, finding a cozy sleeping spot and then waking up to the sunrise. Pure happiness!
First stop: Ankelalm
This is one of my favorite night tours. Right around midnight you take the train from Munich to Fischhausen-Neuhaus and follow the sign up to the Ankelalm. It is a 90-minute walk, pretty easy. Up there you will find a perfect spot to camp at night. Just me and my sleeping bag. Nothing more.
After a few hours of sleep you get woken up by chippering birds and the morning light.
Climb to the Brecherspitz
Just after sunrise, you can pack your stuff and climb up all the way to the Brecherspitz where you have magical views of the Schliersee and Spitzingsee. After a little break at the top, take down the way to Spitzingsee via the Obere Fistalm and enjoy a lovely breakfast.
“It’s not where you take the trail… It’s where the trail takes you!”
Just breathe
I just had one of these unforgettable runs. It was an early Saturday morning in Davos, Switzerland – foggy, rainy and quiet.
Hence, I just put on my running gear and decided to go for a run. No plans, no special route, I just followed my gut and discovered one of the most magical trails.
From Davos Platz I took the route up to Clavadel and to the Clavadel Alp. The views and the atmosphere were just amazing. From there I took the trail to the Ischalp and went back down to the valley. This run definitely made my top 10 list.
If you are ever in Grisons, Switzerland, you should check it out.
Mountain biking, trail running, climbing, hiking, mountaineering, SUP, wellness – they have it all, right at lake Eibsee at the Zugspitze.
A friend and I stayed at the Eibsee hotel, just for the weekend to refuel our energy. Since we basically had no plans at all, we just started hiking up the mountains, simply following our gut.
It was insane. In one day we had rain, hail, snow, thunder and sunshine. Totally crazy. But we just kept going, trying to find the perfect view of the lake and ended up in Austria. A 24k hike through crazy weather conditions. But the view was worth it.
Afterwards, we just chilled at the spa and had a wonderful time, simply enjoying ourselves.
I spent three days with one of my closest friends and blogger colleague Andrea at the AMERON Davos. We wanted to go mountain biking, simply enjoying the great outdoors and having a magical time together. As it turned out: it was the coolest girls’ trip in a long time.
The best Mountain Bike ride EVER
It was Saturday morning, 4:30 a.m. – I got up pretty early doing some functional training and going for a swim afterwards, getting ready for our mountain bike tour. The AMERON Davos akindly reserved two rental bikes for us so that we could explore the magical trails in Davos. I know, in my Instagram story most of you voted for an E-MTB, but guess what, deal with it. In Munich I am training with my sexy hardtail so that I convinced Andrea NOT to take an E-MTB, especially since we are both in pretty good shape right now.
At first the weather wasn’t really promising, it was all foggy, windy and cold. But we did not care and decided to simply roll with it. If it was going to rain, who cares. You can still have the ride of your life – no matter what the weather looks like. AND, as it turned out, a good genie was with us and the sky cleared up, literally having the best mountain bike ride EVER.
We combined different routes: part of the Jakobshorn trail to Teufi and then along the Dischma Valley. Not too difficult so that we only needed to walk or carry our bikes at two sections. Darn, it was so awesome. Andrea and I were high on endorphines and we loved playing with our bikes. We totally digged it and did not care about anyone or anything.
The best part: we went downhill as fast as we could. When it wasn’t fast enough, we hit the pedals and sounded like a little coyote when cheering for each other. The AMERON Davos literally made my mountain bike dream come true.
AMERON Davos
I already introduced the AMERON Davos in my Instagram Story, which is featured as a highlight on my profile. The four-star Swiss Mountain Resort made our girls’ mountain bike trip just perfect. As a certified bike hotel, the AMERON is continuously improving their service for all bike enthusiasts. Over a long weekend Andrea and I discovered the diversity of the region on an extensive mountain bike tour and then relaxed in their 850 m2 VITALITY Spa. What more do you need?
Guests benefit from a free use of the bicycle cellar incl. Pro-Tool Station and also have a free ride on all mountain railways incl. free bike transport. If there is anything else you need, they try to make it possible, closely working together with local bike shops.
The Accomodation
Andrea and I stayed in a 29 m² premium double room with a south-facing balcony. The room is furnished in a modern, Alpine chic design with natural materials, quality wood and silky materials, creating an atmosphere which makes you feel at home straight away. A selection of different pillows and mattress toppers also ensures you have a great night’s sleep. Rooms start at 150 CHF per night, which is more than fair.
Honestly, there is nothing to complain. We both felt pretty comfortable, loved the natural lighting in the room and slept like little babies.
The Food
With a focus on sports and fitness, the hotel offers a huge variety of healthy food options. But seriously, when you are on a girls’ trip, you have fun – you don’t count calories or talk about the best diet for your current training schedule.
Hence, Andrea and I became a huge fan of the CANTINETTA Lounge & Bar. You can relax in the evening with a wonderful glass of wine or choose from their huge Gin selection, enjoying one or two, or maybe three, Gin Tonics. Their bar menu also has a tempting selection of pasta, pizza and home-made burgers. We went for the home-made pizza and loved it: thin crust, fresh ingredients, on the point. Afterwards, we got to try their new Teranino Rose Cocktail, which was just heavenly. We both fell asleep with a huge smile on our faces.
The Spa
Until this weekend I only stayed in bike hotels that did not have any spa or wellness center. And I admit: I just love to go for a relaxing swim after a tough workout, relaxing in the sauna afterwards. Thus, I am a fan of their 850 m² Vitality Wellness and Spa Centre.
It can be pretty crowded over the weekend, but after figuring out the perfect time, you can really enjoy the quietness and peacefulness, refueling your energy. Both, sauna and steam bath are excellent, as well as their relax area. An ice cold water pool would be the cherry on the cake, but the crushed ice makes up for it. All in all, Andrea and I really had a magical time over the past three days and we can both recommend this hotel, definitely coming back for our next sports & outdoor adventure. Once again, special thanks to the whole staff for making this possible.
What’s next?
Well, any kind of outdoor sports is dangerous for me, since I get addicted quite easily. After this awesome bike ride on Saturday we went on another little tour on Sunday morning. But since we had to leave in the early afternoon, there just wasn’t enough time. Andrea and I both weren’t ready to drop off our bikes, were riding against the clock.
Man, now being back home in Munich, I am already dreaming of my next bike ride. – On Wednesday I will pick up my pretty little bike from the shop and then taking it for a spin along the Isartrail. But I am honest: I want more. The speed ride downhill in Switzerland was one of the best adrenaline rushes I have had in a long time. I wanna do it again. Also, I would LOVE to bike along a ridge trail, taking in the magic of the mountains.
In October I will be back in Davos, on my private vacation, enjoying a time off – being completely off the grid for a week. No collaborations, no work, no pressure, just enjoying myself. With more than 1300 km of cycle paths – from easy single trails to downhill parks – Davos is a paradise for mountain bikers. Maybe I will just give it a try, riding along a more difficult trail. PROBABLY – if the weather is fine. I am not sure, if I will do it alone or with a guide, I just know: I want more, finding out what I am capable of enjoying mountain biking as a new sport.
Till then, ride on and have the times of your life.
13 weeks after my accident I was ready to get back on my MTB! New bike, new plans, new look. I went on a 22k intermediate trail course and it felt soo good.
I admit it will still take some time till I get my full strength & fitness back, but I am back on the trails. So watch out for my pink little ride!
Specialized Rockhopper Comp Women
Whether you’ve been riding trails for decades or you’re just starting your XC journey, the Women’s Rockhopper Comp 29 takes your rides to the next level.
It starts with a new A1 Aluminum frame that has optimized tube shapes which save weight while dramatically improving aesthetics. To go along with these clean new lines, the new Rockhopper also has internal cable routing to further clean up the frame. Lastly, the Sport XC 29 geometry adjusts the reach, angles, and standover height to make for an improved fit across the size range. This is sure to keep you ripping and confident while heading both up and down the trail.
This Rockhopper comes with a no-nonsense spec featuring a full Shimano drivetrain, dependable Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, grippy Ground Control tires that add traction over any trail, and an SR Suntour XCM 29 fork with a custom Multi-Circuit damping that eliminates the “pogo” feel commonly associated with coil forks. You’ll also find that Specialized paid special attention to the needs of female riders, which is why every width and length of the components is tailored to women, while the Body Geometry Myth Sport saddle is sure to deliver comfort, mile after mile along the trail. For me, the ideal hardtail for the Isartrails.
“Fight – Smile – Love!” – das ist das Lebensmotto von Extremsportlerin, Coach & Model Gela Allmann. Für mich persönlich ist Gela eine sehr große Inspiration. Sie transportiert so ein positives Lebensgefühl und inspiriert mich mit ihrer unglaublich motivierenden Art immer wieder aufs Neue. Wenn ich nach neuen Bergtouren stöbere oder auch, wenn ich mal gerade ein Formtief habe, schaue ich mir ihre Instagram Stories an und alles erscheint so viel leichter und positiver. Es gibt einfach so Menschen, die einen begeistern, andere positiv mitreißen – Menschen, zu denen man aufschaut. Für mich persönlich ist Gela genau so eine Person.
Sport-Idol Gela Allmann: eine wahre Heldin
Gela Allmann (34) wuchs in Markt Indersdorf auf und studierte Sportwissenschaft in München. Sie ist Diplom-Sportwissenschaftlerin mit dem Schwerpunkt Sportmanagement und verfügt über einen Master in „Sport, Medien und Kommunikation“. Als Profi-Sportlerin im Team Dynafit Germany war sie vor allem als Bergläuferin sowie Skibergsteigerin aktiv. Zudem arbeitet sie erfolgreich als Model, Moderatorin und Coach.
Bei einem Foto-Shooting für die Zeitschrift Fit for Fun verunglückte Gela im April 2014 auf einem Berg in Island schwer. Kurz darauf scheint ihr Leben als Sportlerin und Model zu Ende zu sein. Nach einem quälend langen Sturz 800 Meter über Felsen und Eis gleicht ihr Körper einem Trümmerhaufen. Doch sie hat überlebt und begibt sich mit überwältigendem Kampfeswillen auf einen zähen, schmerzhaften Weg: von der völligen Bewegungslosigkeit im Krankenbett, kleinen Etappenzielen während der Reha bis zum ersten Berggipfel nach dem Unfall. Alleine beim Lesen und Schreiben dieser Zeilen bekomme ich schon wieder Gänsehaut.
When you click on the video, a connection is established to Youtube.com. For more information, check the Privacy Policy
Doch sie hat es geschafft, nach diesem Schicksalsschlag neu anzufangen und hat sich mit ihrer magischen, positiven Art zurück ins Leben gekämpft.
Interview mit Gela Allmann
Da ich selbst gerade wieder intensiver ins Training einsteige und bald als großer Outdoor-Fan in der Schweiz die Trails erkunde, habe ich es einfach mal als Gelegenheit genommen, Gelas Story zu erzählen und mir zugegeben auch ein paar Tipps von ihr geholt.
Wie bist Du damals zum Bergsport gekommen?
“Ich gehe schon immer mit meiner Familie in die Berge, habe aber doch 1,5h Fahrt entfernt gewohnt. Mit Anfang/Mitte 20 als ich dann ein eigenes Auto hatte und selbst losfahren konnte, bin ich von München aus oft zusammen mit meinem damaligen Freund los. Irgendwann habe ich mich dann jede freie Minute ins Auto gesetzt und bin zum Berg gefahren, habe immer mehr Freunde mit gleicher Passion kennengelernt und bin selbst immer schneller die Berge hinauf – bald im Laufschritt, weil ich die Kombination aus Laufen und Berg- und Naturerlebnis absolut faszinierend fand.”
Was bedeutet der Bergsport für Dich?
“Berge bedeuten für mich immer Freiheit, Naturerlebnis, Kopf frei bekommen, durchschnaufen, Zeit zu Reflektieren, eigene Grenzen austesten, Sport und Bewegung, Spaß mit Freunden – all das, was ich liebe und mich auch sehr erfüllt.”
Was sind Deine drei Lieblingsorte in den Bergen?
“Ach, am liebsten mag ich es direkt vor der Haustüre. Ich lebe nun in Fischbachau, quasi zwischen Spitzingsee und Schliersee und liebe alle Berge, die ich gleich mal by fair means besteigen kann. Besonders angetan haben es mir auch die Dolomiten und ich liebe das Zillertal.”
Liebst Du eher den Bergsommer oder den Winter?
“Beides ist gleich gut und es ist wunderbar, dass es beide Jahreszeiten gibt und Sommer wie Winter so geniale Sportarten bereithalten. Wenn es Neuschnee hat und der Schnee glitzert in der Morgensonne, du stampfst durch den frischen Powder, das ist großartig. Aber genauso schön ist es in luftiger Kleidung und leichtem Equipment im Sommer mit Stöcken einen Gipfel im Stechschritt zu erklimmen und die langen Sommerabende am Berg zu genießen.”
Wie sehr hat der schlimme Unfall damals Dich verändert und woher hast Du die Kraft genommen, wieder hochzukommen?
“Der Unfall hat mich in erster Linie körperlich extrem beeinträchtigt. Mein rechtes Bein ist bis heute recht stark betroffen. Ich hatte einen Abriss des Fußhebernervs und habe hier keine volle Funktion mehr. Zudem fehlen mir im rechten Knie alle vier Bänder, der Meniskus und ich habe einen stark geschädigten Knorpel, was mir eine Laufbelastung derzeit nicht wirklich möglich macht. Ich gehe also mit Stöcken bergauf und fahre mit der Bergbahn wieder hinunter oder mache eine Kombination aus Bike & Hike – steige wenige Höhenmeter wieder ab. Der Weg, überhaupt wieder dorthin zu kommen hat mich ein halbes Jahr stationären Klinikaufenthalt und eine Reha und Physiobehandlung bedeutet, die bis heute andauert.
Psychisch und mental hat mich der Unfall in zweiter Instanz sehr geprägt. Ich bin sehr viel dankbarer für jeden Tag, jeden Moment – ich habe die Endlichkeit des Lebens gespürt, da wird man sehr demütig vor dem Geschenk des Lebens. Zudem bin ich kompromissloser und ehrlicher mir selbst gegenüber geworden. Ich weiß, dass niemand anderes die volle Verantwortung für mein Leben trägt als ich selbst. Damit liegt es auch an mir selbst, ob ich im Leben glücklich bin oder nicht. Ich kann mich jeden Tag mit meinen Gedanken und Handlungen aufs neue dazu entscheiden, genau das zu tun, um ein glückliches Leben zu führen. Erst wenn ich wirklich glücklich und im Reinen mit mir bin, kann ich auch andere glücklich machen und Verantwortung für sie übernehmen – das habe ich lange nicht verstanden.”
Woher nimmst Du Deine unglaublich positive Energie?
“Also ich muss sagen, ich habe eine ganz tolle und starke Familie hinter mir, die mir tolle Werte mitgegeben hat. Hier liegt definitiv der Ursprung meiner positiven Energie. Ich weiß, dass ich nicht alleine bin – auch in der Zeit nach dem Unfall waren meine Familie, mein damaliger Partner und viele Freunde für mich bedingungslos da. Das gibt unglaublich viel Kraft. Ich ziehe auch einfach sehr viel positive Kraft aus der täglichen Dankbarkeit fürs Leben. Wenn es mal nicht so rund läuft sage ich mir: “Schlimmer geht immer!” Und dieser Spruch trifft eigentlich auch wirklich immer zu. Ob wir Situationen positiv oder negativ einstufen, das liegt in unserem eigenen Ermessen. Ich hatte so unglaublich viel Glück bei meinem Unfall. Ich denke, ich bin ein Glückskind: Ich kann gar nicht anders, als Dinge positiv zu sehen. Ich bin am Leben und habe doch sehr viele der Fäden selbst in der Hand. Scheitern, Hindernisse und Krisen gehören dazu – ich sehe sie als Lehrmeister, um an ihnen zu wachsen.”
Du bist nicht nur Skitouren-Profi, sondern auch eine Expertin in Sachen Trailrunning. Was muss man alles als Hobbyläufer beachten, um in den Sport einzusteigen?
“Hahaha, ich war – das muss ich gleich dazu sagen. Man muss Spaß daran haben und auf das eigene Gefühl hören, sich nicht selbst überfordern. Dann kommt alles andere von ganz alleine. Unter Druck und Zwang verkrampft man sich meist nur. Es geht ja beim Trailrunning auch darum, die Berge zu genießen und während des Laufens eins mit der Natur und der Bewegung zu werden, in den völligen Flow zu kommen, die Gedanken loszulassen. Das ist genial.”
Welche Ausrüstung sollte man sich zulegen und wie trainiert man für seinen ersten Lauf am besten?
“Ich empfehle leichtes Equipment – jedes Gramm mehr geht am Ende auf die Gelenke. Wichtig sind gute grippfeste Traillaufschuhe, leichte Trail-Stöcke, ein Headband oder Mütze, ein leichter Rucksack für den Transport von den wichtigsten Utensilien: Trinken, ein/zwei Riegel, eine Sonnenbrille, Sonnencreme, evtl. ein Wechselshirt und immer eine leichte Windjacke oder ähnliches, falls am Berg doch einmal ein Wetter aufzieht. Das darf man nie unterschätzen. Ich habe auch immer ein Handy für den Fall der Fälle dabei – sollte tatsächlich einmal Hilfe nötig sein.”
Ich weiß nicht, wie es Euch geht, aber ich habe schon jetzt wieder Sehnsucht nach den Bergen. Auch ich liebe dieses unglaublich tolle Gefühl auf dem Gipfel, die Ruhe, Gelassenheit und Freiheit in der freien Natur.
An dieser Stelle ein ganz großes Dankeschön an Gela für dieses tolle Interview. Für mich ist und bleibt sie eine wahre Inspiration, jemand zu dem ich aufschaue und der mich immer wieder daran erinnert, wie viele Sachen eigentlich total nebensächlich im Leben sind. – An meine männlichen Leser: Tut mir leid, Jungs. Gela ist glücklich vergeben und zwei bezaubernde Jungs in ihrem Leben. Aber ganz ehrlich: Wenn es jemand verdient hat, dann sie. Ich wünsche ihr und ihrer kleinen, zauberhaften Familie alles Glück auf dieser Welt, mit vielen magischen Bergmomenten.
English Summary: Gela Allmann – German Athlete, Coach & Model
Gela Allmann (35) is a German athlete, coach and model who was a successful professional Skimountaineering & Alpine Running athlete at the Team Dynafit Germany. For me personally, she is a great inspiration, always motivating others with her positive energy.
Her contact with skis was at the age of four. Gela has always been fascinated by mountains and by endurance sports like running. But it took her more than 26 years to discover her passion for the competitive sports Mountainrunning and Skimountaineering. In fact, she first started skitouring at the age of 26 when some friends took her to a skitour in the Alpbachtal – she was totally hooked, right from the start.
In April 2014 she had a terrible accident, falling down a descent over 800 altitude meters of pure ice and snow during a fotoshooting in Iceland. Gela broke several bones in her whole body, cut the main artery of her right leg as well as the nerve, which is responsible to lift her right foot. She was literally between life and death and had to undergo many surgeries, fighting for her life.
She truly had some guardian angels and came back even stronger, inspiring with her positive attitutude towards life. For me, she is a true heroine.
For those of you who love the combination of hiking, a little free-climbing and trail running, I got a special tip for you: the Fockenstein at Lake Tegernsee.
With public transportation, take the train from Munich to Gmund and then the bus to Bad Wiessee. Hop off at Söllbach and then follow the hiking path to the Aueralm via Sonnenbichl.
After a short stop at the Aueralm, go up to the Fockenstein. Make sure not to take the easy forest road. Just about 100m north of the Aueralm, you can make a right, heading into the woods.
That’s where you wanna go, hiking and climbing via a small ridge all the way up to the Fockenstein.
This route is a bit more difficult with free-climbing sections, if you like, but it is also less crowded.
On top of the mountain, you can enjoy magical views over the Bavarian and Austrian Alps. When the weather is good, you can see the Zugspitze as well as the Großglockner. Simply beautiful.
When you are ready to go back down, follow the sign to the forest road, back to the Aueralm. A pretty cool trail for runners. Love it! All in all, it is a nice little day tour, around 22k – elevation gain: ca. 1,000 m.
Oh man, I LOVE the winter season. While others stop running as soon as temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius, I get more and more excited. I spent the weekend in Davos and went on a magical trail run in deep snow. It was my favorite kind of running weather: cold, lots of snow, challenging conditions – out there all alone.
Trail Running in Deep Snow
No matter what time of year, running on trails has a lot of physical and mental benefits. I myself prefer running in winter, being able to hit a new PR. Given the more difficult conditions – snow-covered ground, slippery, sloppy, icy… – my body is working much harder than it usually would, so that I become much stronger. Also, my heart works a bit harder pumping blood to the muscles, which means: in the end I will get fitter with less effort.
My muscles need to adapt to uneven terrain and thus become stronger, more responsive and resilient. I just love pushing myself to the limits during winter. Running through some of the toughest, hardest and challenging conditions makes me mentally tough, getting ready to tackle the new season with increased vigor and a solid base of fitness.
The right running gear
Wearing the appropriate gear, being seen in the dark and staying warm and protected in the face of dangerously cold conditions must always be a runner’s top priority. As you know, it is all about the right layers. When it is not too cold, yet, I simply wear two layers. But as soon as it hits 10 to 15 degrees below Zero Celsius, I need to put on a third layer.
During fall and summer season, I love my Dynafit running gear and for this winter season, I wear Kari Traa: winter running tights, Kari Traa Rett running shirt (it is the ultimate hybrid base layer for high-energy outdoor activities always keeping you dry and warm) and the Kari Traa Tove running jacket. It combines warmth and weather protection with high breathability. For dry feet in any condition, I wear my Salomon Speedcrosss Pro, together with my Gore Tex waterproof running socks. – Since I get cold hands quite easily, I wear two pairs of gloves: Gore Tex windstopping gloves and some fleece gloves on top. For my head, I need a warm wool hat with fleece lining.
No matter what you decide to wear, make sure not to save at the wrong end and always wear functional sportswear to stay warm and protected.
Staying safe during winter trail running
Winter running is first and foremost about safety and comfort. Weather, snowpack structure, terrain, and time of day are factors in determining safety during the “snowy” season. Always check your route and the weather conditions before going on a run in deep powder – especially when you are running out in the wild. Knowledge of these factors will help with reading avalanche terrain and conditions to increase safety in backcountry travel.
I myself always run out in the wild, sometimes taking ski touring routes, which means it can happen that I tend to gravitate towards avalanche terrain. That is the reason why I needed to learn to assess conditions, the snowpack, weather and wind banners while I am out there by myself. Of course, I always prepare beforehand checking the local forecast and any warnings, but sometimes things can change and conditions are not what they appeared to be on paper.
BTW: For every winter trail runner, I highly recommend taking an Avalanche Research and Education Level 1 course!
Winter Trail Running in Davos Klosters
This weekend I was still suffering from a cold and was knocked out with a high fever for two days. I looked and felt like crap. But although I am still not fit as a fiddle, I needed to get out there the next day, as soon as I felt a little better. Many runners probably know this feeling. When I cannot run, it feels like torture. Hence, I decided to go out on a relaxing recovery run.
Man, there was so much fresh snow. I felt like I was in heaven and had fun running up the mountain, taking short fast steps with high knees. When the snow was too deep, I simply used my feet and legs as a “shovel” and was singing Christmas songs. Although breaking a trail on fresh snow requires a great deal more effort, I was smiling, having fun. Mainly, it is all about a proper technique: shorten your stride and speed up your cadence, practice looking at the trail placing your steps quickly and work on a forefoot or midfoot strike. These little tips really make the difference.
After a while the conditions changed. Heavy snowfalls, strong winds. First I thought I could keep going, but as soon as the lighter snow caused me to sink fairly to my hips, I knew it was time to turn around. With changing winds and snow structure it would not have been safe to keep going up. Thus, I turned around and ran back down.
Definitely the right decision and all in all, a great recovery run – total elevation gain: 600m. Not too exhausting, but not too easy either. And I had this huge smile on my face afterwards.
During my private vacation in Switzerland I focused on my trail running training and simply wanted to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors. Although I have discovered mountain biking as a new sport, which I LOVE, I will always be a runner. Running up steep, high mountains, testing and challenging my personal limits, running farther, higher, faster. This is my biggest drug. I am a running addict!
Latschüelfurgga – Strelapass – Weissfluhjoch
For those of you who are looking for a nice 20k run in alpine terrain, I got this special tip for you. Magical, beautiful and empowering. I started in Davos Platz and ran/hiked up the way to Latschüelfurgga. There were many snow fields up there, which slowed me down, but it was also amazing. Most of the time I was all by myself, wearing a tank top, enjoying the sun, taking in these beautiful surroundings and just running through snow.
Then I took the route to the Strelapass. This time it was a bit too crowded for my taste. Too many hiking tourists so that I ran pretty fast in order to be alone again. But nevertheless, it is always gorgeous.
At the Strelapass I decided to run along the “Felsenweg”, all the way up to the Weissfluhjoch summit. I have seen magical images of the mountain ranges from some mountain bikers and so wanted to see it for myself. I loved the rocky surroundings, it was a bit rougher than the Strelapass, exactly what I needed. The way up to the Parsenn Station and then to the Weissfluhjoch summit is pretty steep. When trails are steep, breathing becomes harder, legs fatigue more quickly, and you tend to feel every painstaking step. Shortening your stride and taking quick steps help maintain efficiency on climbs. Short strides also help keep you in a more upright position, always standing tall – which I did.
WOW – the views up there are heartbreakingly beautiful. I saw the spot where they build the igloo village during winter season and some of the most magical mountain ranges. The Weissfluhjoch summit itself was rather disappointing, since it is a major tourist attraction. My recommendation: don’t take the funicular, hike or run up the summit. It is so much better. The same applies for going down. And if you are lucky, you get to see a group of alpine ibex climbing cliff face.
Up there – just breathe. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath in and out, then opened my eyes and had this huge satisfying smile on my face. All in all, it was a 20k run with an elevation gain of roughly 1,324 m. A magical tour!
This hot spot is nothing for the faint-hearted: the Sertig waterfall in the Sertig Valley in Davos. The ideal place for ice climbing and snowshoeing in Graubünden.
Ice Climbing
Climb a frozen waterfall with ice axe and crampons and explore your own limits: Ice climbing attracts more and more adventurous winter sports enthusiasts. If you want to try this extreme sport yourself, you will find ideal conditions at the waterfall in the Sertigtal valley all winter long.
Carabiners rattle, hooks clink, ice splinters trickle. With one hand you hit an ice axe into the wall and ram the crampon into the ice. A little break. Take a deep breath and carry on. Step by step you climb the cascades of the frozen waterfall, which shimmers in the light in different shades of blue. The last piece of freedom. That’s how an ice climbing adventure in the Sertig valley could feel like. Even if you want to put crampons under your shoes right now: Prepare yourself well first – and take your first steps in the ice together with a mountain guide.
Snowshoeing
For those of you who are not fit enough to climb the waterfall – just like me – explore this magical spot on a snowshoeing tour. You can simply start at the Bergführer Restaurant, enjoying the Sertig Valley, walking your way up to the waterfall.
Beware, the last bit to the Sertig waterfall is very steep. It is nothing for the faint-hearted and you need to be fit! Milos and our guide Beat went straight to the top, touching the ice while I did a little detour through deep powder. It was breathtakingly beautiful and simply magical.
However, this tour to the Sertig waterfall is not for beginners! If you are new to snowshoeing, simply stick to the easy valley tour and don’t go up all the way to the waterfall. For health and fitness benefits, snowshoeing is great for you. It provides a cardio workout while also building strength, agility, balance and endurance. The best part is, you get to do it all in the beautiful outdoors!
Mountain Guide
I can recommend the Bergführer Davos Klosters as well as the Schweizer Schneesportschule Davos. Whether you wanna do a snowshoeing tour, go skiing or try something adventurous, these folks put your safety first and can make almost anything possible. I especially liked their individually tailored tours that suit your personal interest and fitness level. Special thanks to our guide Beat, who ROCKED!
