Mallorca, Spain’s largest Balearic island, isn’t just about beaches and nightlife. Its dramatic landscapes, especially in the southwest around Calvià and Estellencs, offer outdoor enthusiasts a playground for mountain biking, hiking, and even some climbing.
Mountain Biking
Calvià: Base yourself in Calvià town, and you’ll find trails catering to various skill levels. Head inland for challenging climbs and descents through the Tramuntana foothills. The area offers stunning views and varied terrain.
Estellencs: For more experienced riders, Estellencs is your gateway to the Tramuntana’s heart. Expect steep climbs, technical descents, and jaw-dropping scenery.
Hiking
Calvià: The GR221 (Dry Stone Route) passes through here, offering multi-day treks with options for shorter day hikes. Explore the Galatzó valley or hike up to the Castell del Rei for panoramic vistas.
Estellencs: Hike a section of the GR221, taking in the rugged beauty of the Tramuntana. The trek from Estellencs to Banyalbufar is challenging but rewarding, with coastal views and terraced landscapes.
Climbing
While not as extensive as other destinations, Mallorca offers some rock climbing opportunities:
Calvià: The cliffs near Cala Vinyes have some sport routes, great for beginners and intermediates.
Estellencs: More experienced climbers may find some trad and deep-water soloing opportunities along the coast. Research and local knowledge are essential here.
Why Calvià and Estellencs?
Variety: These areas offer a mix of challenges and scenery, suiting different tastes.
Accessibility: Both areas have good infrastructure, with accommodation, bike rentals, and guided tours available.
Authenticity: Experience the ‘real’ Mallorca, away from the tourist crowds.
Tips:
Best time to visit: Spring and fall offer the best weather for outdoor activities.
Prepare: Pack appropriate gear and check trail conditions, especially for mountain biking and hiking.
Respect the environment: Stay on designated paths and minimize your impact.
Mallorca is waiting to be explored. Lace up your boots, hop on your bike, or grab your climbing harness – adventure awaits!
Germany’s longest suspension bridge isn’t just a thrill ride, it’s the gateway to a hiker’s paradise. If you’re looking for breathtaking views and trails to explore, Willingen’s Skywalk is your starting point.
Skywalk Spectacle:
Length: 665 meters of pure suspension bridge bliss
Height: Up to 100 meters above the ground – not for the faint of heart!
Views: Panoramic vistas of the Upland region, forests, and (on clear days) even distant mountain ranges.
Thrill Factor: The bridge sways gently, adding to the adventure.
Getting There and Ticket Tips:
Location: Willingen, Sauerland region (central Germany, easily accessible by train or car)
Tickets: Purchase online in advance to avoid queues, especially on weekends.
Entrance Points: Two options exist, each with its own advantages:
Valley Entrance: Requires a scenic uphill hike to reach the bridge.
Mountain Entrance: Accessible by car or a shuttle bus, minimal walking.
Hiking Beyond the Bridge:
Don’t just walk the Skywalk, hike it! Here are some trails to consider:
The Uplandsteig: This long-distance trail (155 km total) passes right by the Skywalk. Tack on a section before or after your bridge walk for a true hiking challenge.
Kyrillpfad: Named after a devastating storm, this trail loops around the bridge area, offering diverse forest scenery and viewpoints.
Ettelsberg Trails: Take a cable car up to the Ettelsberg peak (near the Skywalk) and choose from various trails leading down. These offer stunning views back towards the bridge.
Diemelsteig: For a multi-day adventure, this 110 km trail connects with the Uplandsteig, creating a huge network of hiking possibilities.
Practical Tips for Hikers:
Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots are a must, especially if you’re tackling longer trails.
Weather: Conditions can change quickly in the mountains. Pack layers and check forecasts.
Supplies: Bring plenty of water, snacks, and a map (or GPS app) if you’re venturing off the main paths.
Fitness: Be honest about your abilities. Choose trails that match your fitness level.
Respect Nature: Stick to designated paths, avoid disturbing wildlife, and pack out all trash.
Why Willingen is a Hiker’s Dream:
Varied Terrain: From gentle slopes to challenging climbs, Willingen caters to all levels.
Trail Network: Well-maintained paths are clearly marked, making navigation a breeze.
Charming Towns: Willingen itself is a lovely base, with accommodations and eateries to suit every budget.
Beyond the Hike:
After your adventure, Willingen offers plenty to do:
Mountain Biking: World-class trails for cyclists
Water Sports: Nearby lakes for swimming, boating, etc.
Winter Fun: Skiing and snowboarding in the colder months
Local Cuisine: Enjoy hearty German food and regional specialties.
Conclusion:
Willingen’s Skywalk isn’t just an attraction, it’s an invitation to explore. Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual walker, the Upland region is waiting to be discovered. So pack your boots, charge your camera, and get ready to soar above the trees!
If you ever wanna take a break, need to unwind, simply getting away from everything, this is your place to be: Jenesien, northwest of Bolzano. Here are some impressions from a long weekend.
And if you are looking for a wellness hotel, I can recommend the Hotel Saltus: no TV, no screen time, no social media, pure relaxation, peaceful and quiet, excellent food.
I for myself will take more days off for the rest of the year, simply taking care of myself, staying in balance and refueling my energy from these crazy past months.
Holy cannoli, this was my most intense hike so far: hiking over 200km along the coast, mainly on paved roads.
The Route
I wanted to do the Stoertebeker trail along the North Sea coast. My crazy idea: to make it more challenging, I wanted to finish the whole trail within four days, without knowing the location, the conditions or anything in this region.
The training plan
Together with a fitness coach, we created a four-week-training plan focusing on endurance and strength training, working out six days a week – on Wednesdays, I trained three times a day. Though endurance is key, you definitely need to integrate strength training, since this kind of hiking is a lot of stress for your body. Generally, long-distance hiking is an intense activity that requires some training. Don’t start such a trip without the proper preparation. Also, if you are new to long-distance hiking, you should go for a light, easy first tour.
These steps might help you to prep for your next ultra hike or thru hike:
I. Aerobic exercises: these kind of exercises are perfect for hiking, since they allow you to keep going for a substantial amount of time. Training your endurance will keep you going physically strong through your whole hike. I went for running, hiking and biking.
II. Walk: You need to walk on a daily basis. Walk to work, to the supermarket, your doctor’s appointment. Walk as much as possible.
III. Resistance Training: You need to build your muscular strength along with boosting your muscular endurance growing skeletal muscles. Skeletal muscles connect to bones that move the mechanics of your body. Building these muscles are important for long-distance hiking due to the intensity of hiking on the body – especially on paved roads. I myself focused on my legs, hips and core and admit that I neglected my arms, chest and shoulders a little. I definitely should have included more strength training for my upper body. That is one big learning for me.
IV: Use your gear: Pack as light as possible and only take along what’s really necessary. This one is crucial. A loaded backpack should not weigh more than about 20 percent of your body weight. For me, this is still too much, but when you have to take along your camping gear (tent, sleeping bag etc.), it is tough. Practice hiking and running with your gear, wear weights on your treadmill runs and train on similar terrain to figure out what works best for you. I tried all my different pairs of shoes and then had one pair customised for my feet so that I could manage it on paved roads. The same applies for the backpack: take the smaller and lighter version. You will regret everything else. Since every body is different, I can only share what worked for me: adidas terrex shoes and Ortovox Traverse 38 S (particularly suited for women).
V: Mental training: Believe me when I tell you that it is going to be tough and painful. But you need to prepare yourself and develop a plan to tackle possible obstacles, tiredness. I integrated meditation sessions and already knew how painful it can get. I just remembered my alpine crossing and knew how much it is gonna hurt at some point. You need to find your own way how to deal with it. In the end, for me, it was music. When things got rough, I listened to hard rock and metal, I even sang or rather screamed along. But, hey, it worked. So, you do you. But practice it, put yourself in uncomfortable situations and find out what works best to pull through. This is crucial because, honestly, about 30-40 % is your physical strength, the rest is your mental strength.
The check list
You can find my pack list on Instagram. Make sure to check 2 days prior your starting date because weather conditions and circumstances can change. This is what happened with me. I had pretty bad luck regarding the weather conditions so that I had to take along my heavier camping gear. Since I was mainly camping and temperatures dropped to 5-6 degrees Celsius, including some rain and heavy wind gusts, I knew I needed to stay warm. Also, when you hike alone like I do, take along some legal self-defence weapon, first-aid kit, share your route with friends and family and enable GPS-tracking just to be on the safe side. Have regular check-ins, let your folks know how you are doing.
The stages
Stage I: Leer – Emden – Pilsum – Greetsiel: 51.73 km – Tuesday, 10 a.m. till 8:30 p.m.
I know “hate” is a strong word, but I hated it so much. Wind gusts of over 30 km/h, some rain showers, walking on the so called dike was not possible due to the heavy wind gusts. At one section I tried to climb over a fence but then got struck by the wind and almost fell. For me, that meant that I had to go road hiking with 15 kg on my back. Yep, the most painful of it all. 50k on paved roads, through strong winds and rain showers. I hated every single second. It really, really sucked. That was the moment when I made some adjustments to my first stage. I initially wanted to hike 90k through the night, but no chance in hell. So I stopped after 51.73 km and needed some rest and a hot shower. I think I slept for 3-4 hours. Boy, it hurt soooooo much and I was freezing like crazy. There were moments when I thought to simply screw the whole thing, forget about it. – I definitely needed some motivational messages from my friends. Talking, yelling and sharing a bit of self-pity helped. Actually, it helped a lot. I won’t name the people here on the blog, since they know that I am talking about them and how grateful I am for their support. 💗
Stage II: Exploring Greetsiel – Norden – Norddeich – 31.43 km – Wednesday 5 a.m. till noon
I got up before sunrise and needed some coffee, explored the beautiful city of Greetsiel before I continued for the next 25k. This wind was killing me. AGAIN, strong winds, some rain, it was so freaking cold, my feet hurt. I told myself over and over again that I will pull through. It was mental. I needed my strong willpower, simply forget about the pain, just walk – just keep walking till you reach the beach in Norddeich. I reached it at around noon and wasn’t able to walk one single step further. I was just resting in my beach chair, couldn’t move, was just laying there in the sun, hoping to recover, afraid to look at my feet. But I knew at some point I had to take my socks off and take care of them. They hurt, blisters all over, man I felt like crying. So, I took out my first aid kit, used all the special foot care I took along and taped my feet. From this second onwards I knew that I will keep them taped till the end of my hike.
I was sleeping in a beach chair and it got really, really cold at night with some rain. Yeah, the images look romantic, it sure can be romantic, but not alone at night, when it’s raining, windy and about 5 degrees celsius. I woke up at around 2 a.m. and needed to put on additional layers cause it was so freaking cold – counting the hours till sunrise.
Mentally, this was my lowest point. I did not get enough sleep, my whole body hurt, my feet hurt even worse and I just had to cry. I was a real pussy, couldn’t stop crying in the morning because of the pain and tiredness. After having walked for about 5k, I just sat on a bench and cried, I knew I needed to let it all out. I mean, I was alone anyways. For the whole trip, there were no hikers, no other backpackers, only sheep on the dike and some annoying e-bike tourists. And since it was still pretty windy, nobody would hear me cry. Once again the messages from some of my friends helped. And it helped that I could just send them voice messages. I needed some time till I could pull through. But then I did.
Generally, this stage was the most annoying route. Man, I cannot stand these special kind of e-bike tourists: a special tribe of people that looks a little unfit, they completely block the trail and are yelling at you when you are passing by foot. They were everywhere during this stage. So, I just put on my music and walked, just walked. At some point adrenaline and other stress hormones kick in, you forget about your pain and your body just functions. You become a robot. But it helps. It really is amazing what your body can do.
In the afternoon I finally reached a great camping spot, took a hot shower and fell asleep pretty early.
Sometimes I tend to make my life unnecessarily more difficult than it needs to be. On Google Maps I found this cute camping spot in the middle of some forest, right at a lake. So, I thought to integrate a little detour going to Schortens, checking out this pretty place instead of going directly to Wilhelmshaven. Yeah, the joke was on me.
In the beginning of my tour, I had the best time. I slept amazing, had some great coffee in Carolinensiel and walked on sandy beaches in Schillig, one of my most favorite places on this route. And guess what, I finally had wind gusts coming from behind and the sun was coming out. Man, I loved it and put on my Greenday and Guns ‘N Roses playlist, sang along and just walked, smiled, had fun. The fun part has been pretty rare in the first two days. I even had so much fun, that I missed a turn and accidentally did another detour, went back and stopped at the beach in Hooksiel. Afterwards, I went to Schortens, to this supposedly beautiful camping spot. Well, the images look nice, but the lake is right next to a German Bundesstraße (federal road): pretty noisy, the service was awful and when you had to use the facilities, you had to gag cause it was smelling like a sewer or cesspool.
This was another cold night and I just wanted to finish my tour.
Once again I got up before sunrise and just wanted to finish this trip. I hiked as fast as I could – like there was no tomorrow. Sometimes I was even jogging with my 15kg backpack. I so didn’t care and just wanted to arrive, which I did. I think it was by far my fastest route. Completely out of breath and extremely happy, I crossed my finish line – and then arrived at the hotel in Wilhelmshaven. Hallelujah!
Active Recovery: From Saturday till Tuesday, I stayed in a hotel and worked on my active recovery – daily swims and sauna, some relaxing walks, lots of sleep and some private time. Sauna, swimming and lots of sleep helped me to fully recover. Sunday was a special spa and personal day somewhere else: sauna, relaxation and private time all day long. ☀️
It was a lot of stress to my body. Sometimes I couldn’t really eat, in fact, today, Tuesday, was the first day where I could eat three regular meals. And it still hurts. I can tell that my digestive system needs a little more time. On other days during my tour, I needed to force myself to eat something, and then it was almost next to nothing. I definitely pushed my body, but am pretty darn proud that I managed it. It might not sound as tough to you, but for me, mentally and physically, it was. Walking on paved roads is insane, it hurts like hell, you really need the right gear and good muscle strength. And when you have strong wind gusts and rain, cold weather coming along, it’s just tough. It just is.
Of course, I lost a few pounds, but mostly water, also some muscle mass and fat, but after my first check-up today, things look good.
Accomodations
I only share the accommodations and inspirations I can really recommend.
Sleeping Beach Chair: This is a very neat idea and I totally digg the whole concept. BUT: I would pick a different time and location next time. It really needs to be warm and you need to make sure that you have enough privacy. That wasn’t the case in Norddeich – I felt like a tourist attraction. Also, in Norddeich you have to bring your own sleeping bag.
This sleeperoo was initially on my bucket list for this summer, preferably in a more romantic setting, but I found out that they filed for insolvency. 😞
So, a romantic beach chair in Schillig or Hooksiel it is – but only during a hot summer night with enough privacy. 😌
Harlesiel Glamping: My host Markus was wonderful – excellent service beforehand, very accommodating, friendly and the lodge I booked was so warm and cozy. They really took care of the little details so that you could feel at home. And the facilities were just around the corner, all very clean and great taken care of, opportunities to cook and hang with others – really a great place. I would definitely come back. 🙃
My favorite places
My four favorite spots were in Pilsum, Greetsiel, Schillig and Hooksiel. I will share all specs and details on these little beauties later this week here on the blog. These locations are definitely worth a visit and I am positive that I will come back.
Recommendation?
Will I do it again? HELL NO! NEVER EVER! This whole trail is not for hiking – seriously! For biking, yes, but even then, I wouldn’t pick this particular route. The stage from Leer to Emden was pretty boring to me. Though Leer itself has its charm, the bike route isn’t sexy. Also, I don’t like mass tourism and there were too many of these “special” e-bike tourists that will just get on your nerves.
Do I regret it? NO! I am proud of myself, that I pulled through – again, thank you so much to the special people that supported me, listened to my WhatsApp messages and helped me pull through. It is amazing what your body is capable of.
Did I have fun? Honestly, most of the time I hated it. I was swearing, wining, yelling – I did have my fun moments, though. 😅
Will I do another thru hike close to my new home? A sure yes. I was already looking for some trails where I can walk on sandy beaches or something more “hike-worthy”. The bucket list is still in the making, but Denmark is surely on it and I will look at other places along the North Sea coast as well.
So, this is it for my recap on my thru hike. If you have any questions or wanna know more, just drop me an email or a DM on my social channels.
The Teutoborg Forest is a range of low, forested hills in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
Outdoor and sports enthusiasts will love this area. Here are some impressions from my 6-hour hike: 25.7 km, accumulated elevation 579 m and a heavy backpack.
We started at the Externsteine, then hiked to the Falkenburg Castle – including some detours – and ended up at the Hermann monument. The latter was actually pretty disappointing, especially since you had to hike on paved roads, but the area between Horn Bad Meinberg and Berlebeck was beautiful. 😌
So, if you are in this area, pick any of the endless MTB or hiking trails and enjoy yourself.
Shocking! Munich Mountain Rebel is leaving Munich some time in December. 🙃 My time in Munich has come to an end. I have been here for almost 20 years, with some breaks in between, where I lived in Berlin, explored Australia or spent some other time abroad. It played a huge chapter along my journey, helped me grow, I met amazing people, never stopped exploring and learning at my jobs and I met some of my best friends EVER, that have now become part of my family.
A personal note
I wasn’t sure, whether I should write a long blog post on everything or some of the greatest memories I made, but nothing would do justice. Besides, I don’t wanna bore you with half my vita here on this blog. I mean, I started my career, my profession, in Munich at the agency haebmau after some experience in the media industry. When you read my old yearbook entries I always wanted to become a journalist, but after time I discovered my love for brand strategies and digital marking – always “hungry” for more, wanting to create change and finding simple solutions for complex problems. Looking back, I am so grateful for all opportunities. Whenever something presented itself as a chance to broaden my horizon or to learn more, I grasped the opportunity with both hands. Whether it was with haebmau, Sony, Ketchum, fischerAppelt, Holtzbrinck, gutefrage.net, Rapid Peaks, wirhelfen.eu, the Fritzmeier Umwelttechnik, or the amazing brands and companies I got to work with such as Salewa, Weber Grill, Adidas, SAP, FC Bayern, BMW, Coca-Cola, Biotaurus, Kungs, Victorinox, Generali, or the endless projects I got to create during my 13 years of blogging at V’s World, having 500,000 readers every single month. I traveled the world, learned so many new things, not just on a professional and personal level, tried scuba diving, paragliding, went beyond my limits on trail running competitions, discovered mountain biking as a passion, fell in love with the great outdoors, learned the ropes of a mountaineering guide and so much more. As I said, I could never do justice saying “thank you” to everything that has happened during the past 20 years. And I am pretty sure I forgot someone or something.
Thank you, Munich
In retrospective, there were no wasted opportunities, no dead ends. Everything together made me who I am now and over time I found my purpose. Find your purpose and you will find your voice – and then everything automatically falls in place, no matter where you are.
The past years during the pandemic and now during the economic crisis and in times of war in Europe, many of us got to reflect, put things in perspective again and realized or remembered what is really important to every single one of us. For me, this means: my family and following my purpose to get things moving; creating solutions that have an impact in the brand marketing world and hopefully beyond – meaning, creating values and solutions that are useful or helpful in our world.
So, yes, now it is time. I am leaving Munich by the end of this year, just right before Christmas. I am moving to my family in Westphalia and am really excited about my next chapters. And no worries, there is lots of room for my outdoor adventures, there are bike trails in my hood, yes, I will still do some mountaineering tours, but also explore other mountain regions or national parks – and most importantly, spending more time with my family. Here you will find a little sneak peek of what is close to my new home.
You can keep following me on my social channels, I will continue to share my outdoor and travel tips here on the blog and regarding my profession, my love for brand strategies and digital marketing is forever. I will stay your Munich Mountain Rebel, just living somewhere else. And yes, I will definitely plan some trips to the greater Munich area to spend some time with my friends every now and then. 🙂
I am stealing this quote ’cause it fits. “Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
I hope you get some time to unwind and relax, simply cherishing the little things in life. I will offer my guided tours probably some time in May again. So, see you soon.
Man, this is the best Thanksgiving gift ever: lots of snow and the mountain trails all to myself. 🗻💗
You can take different routes on this tour, none of them is particularly difficult. However, there are some pretty steep passages, which makes the route I took more suitable to endurance hikers. For those who are not used to mountain tours in snowy conditions, I recommend hiking poles. Spikes are a must on this tour.
Though it was mostly cloudy and it was snowing all day long, I had a blast. Snow is just my element. I could have it all year round. 🌲🗻😌
Afterwards, I simply relaxed at the Arabella mountain Spa at lake Switzerland and fully enjoyed my first Sunday off in a very long time. 💗 And in two weeks, I will even have a whole long weekend off, going back to Switzerland. 😌
The first snow tour is always magical. 🏔❄️💗 Winter is my favorite season. The crisp winter air, I love the cold and the snow and a hot sauna afterwards.
One of my most favorite sceneries here at home are the mountain ranges at the Spitzingsee. When the sky is clear, you have these gorgeous views and can simply relax. This winter, my first tour was to the Taubenstein and Rauhkopf.
I decided to take some time off, hiking along the Alps from Munich via Austria to Italy.
Preparations Alpine Crossing
This one has been on my bucket list for quite some time. And after a crazy COVID year, some family stuff and starting a new job, it just felt like the right timing.
Since I am regularly doing longer outdoor, mountaineering or bike tours, I did not do any additional fitness training beforehand. I already did several long-distance hikes during the past months, long bike rides, many skiing and snowshoeing tours during winter, went up to the Zugspitze – I felt fit and ready. BUT, if you have never done anything similar, you definitely need to prepare your body. Long day trips with a heavy backpack, alpine terrain, generally have a good fitness. Although this route has only two or three difficult sections and the rest is rather medium – depending on your choice of routes – don’t underestimate it.
Packing
Pack light, especially when you do the tour individually with no baggage transfers and stuff. Only take what you REALLY need and be prepared for all weather conditions. My backpack weighed between 10 and 11 kg including 2 liters of water and it was alright. On my earlier hikes I used a similar weight to just get used to it. Below you see my packing list.
Since I was leaving during those severe rain storms, I was wearing my rain gear on the first two days. All in all, I needed to wash one pair of pants, but generally it worked out pretty well.
A little tip: use packing systems. They make your life so much easier.
Now, let’s start with the good stuff – the actual tour.
Alpine Crossing Diary
I created my own route and sometimes chose different paths and trails. Some changes were made due to the weather, others because a special tour was on my bucket list and it could be easily integrated within the actual route. This is something you will notice beforehand. There are different routes and stages for almost any fitness level. You can even book organized tours with baggage transfer.
I myself wanted to do it alone. To practice mindfulness, refuel my energy and find my inner balance again. So, here we go.
Stage I – Munich to Kreuth
If you like, you can even start the tour in Munich. 😎 Is it worth it? Nah, not really. From Holzkirchen to Gmund maybe, but only if you have never been there. However, if you wanna start with a bike tour as a warm-up, then this one isn’t bad.
Usually, the tour from Gmund to Kreuth would be a very nice and relaxing scenery to get ready for the tour. Very easy, gorgeous views and ideal to get yourself into the mood. Well, due to the severe flooding and the storm damages, it was a little downer in the beginning.
It was cold, heavy rain showers, thunderstorms
Why was I doing this again? Binge watching Netflix, Prime Video or Disney or reading a good book in front of my fireplace would be so nice right now.
I wanted to go farther, but thunder & lightning forced me to rest. ⛈⛰
Accommodation tip: Pop Up Lodge Kreuth; simple, quiet, peaceful & very cordial stuff.
Going to bed early, falling asleep to some audio book.
15k
⬆️ 501
⬇️ 416
Stage II – Kreuth to Achenkirch
Since the Wolfsschlucht was not accessible due to the flooding, I took the regular medium route. There is also a supposedly easier third option which takes about four hours to the Blaubergalm.
Emotional roller coaster. Due to the storms, many blocked passages, it was tougher than usual, different unplanned climbing sections.
5 am: too early to think or talk
BUT: The guy from my accommodation put a smile on my face 😌 They even had my favorite cake: marble cake. Special thanks to the Pop-Up lodge Wildbath Kreuth for so much kindness. 💗🙏🏽 It’s always the little things.
After 1.5 hours: Man, this sucks. The route was trickier than usual, the weather: foggy and more rain. Shall I stop, go back down and take the bus?
Then the sun came out, my sign to keep going ☀️ Till the bitter end. The ascent has some steeper passages, but they are manageable. Some parts were blocked by the storm, but I could climb over them. You should definitely also make a short detour to the Schildenstein. It is worth it.
Also, special thanks to the folks from the Blaubergalm. Thank you for the coffee and a friendly chat. When doing the alpine crossing alone, you cherish these moments even more. 🙏🏽🇦🇹
25 k
⬆️ 935
⬇️ 807
Due to more rain and thunderstorms I stayed at a nice little guest house, hosted by an elderly couple. Once again, I was welcomed with so much kindness. I don’t need much. If it hadn’t been raining like crazy, I would have slept outside. But I am so grateful & thankful for all the cordial gestures I have received so far. 💗🙏🏽🤗
Stage III: Hiking along Achensee Lake
Got woken up by another heavy rain shower & thunderstorm early in the morning. 😴 I really need more sleep 🛌 Today’s weather forecast: fog, rain, thunderstorm, 16-19 degrees celsius. But I am positive it will clear up ☀️
“When Angels Travel”
Host Peter Birnbacher
The elderly couple greeted me with a warm smile and a lovely breakfast. 😌🇦🇹 And guess what: no more rain, the sun was coming out ☀️
Today’s tour: along Achensee lake. VERY easy, kind of a recovery tour. In the morning I still had this energy high from the last tour. It felt like going for a walk. Though I wished I had my mountain bike with me. Man, this would have been an awesome ride. 🚴🏼♀️ In the afternoon my feet were burning and I decided to call it a day. Later that day I felt pure bliss. Too exhausted to think of anything, too exhausted to check any messages, my mind was at ease. I simply rested and experienced pure mindfulness.
Special tip: if you have time and are fit, make a detour to the Dalfazer Waterfall. 💦 It is worth it.
I fell asleep pretty early. – My accommodation isn’t worth mentioning. It was crap. Sleeping outdoors in my bivouac was a better choice.
Generally, for your accommodation I strongly recommend mountain huts, camping or a guest house. It’s part of the whole experience. 😌 BUT: Pick one part of the route where you spoil yourself. 🥰
19 k
⬆️ 357
⬇️ 240
Stage IV: Zillertal
My feet had recovered and I felt completely zen. 😌 Guess, the healing power of the mountains has kicked in. ⛰ The official route is pretty straight forward from the Spieljoch to Hochfuegen. Well, since I am a huge fan of the Zillertal region, I spent an extra day over there and did a few detours, for example to the Kellerjoch Mountain Hut.
It is just so breathtakingly beautiful and since the sun was out, why not enjoying yourself.
“The Mountains are calling and I must go ⛰”
6:45: I was a real sleepy head this morning. Everything was slower. Still didn’t sleep through the night, but that was okay. I had a feeling that today was going to be all chill. ⛰☀️💦
Started the day with some Yoga & stretching before breakfast and arrived at the Zillertal region pretty early, going for a hike. Glad I brought my binoculars with me so that I could do some animal watching.
In Fuegen I spoiled myself: my life, my body, my treat. 💗 I went for a 45-minute swim at my accommodation to revitalize my body and use different muscle groups. Afterwards I used the sauna and the steam bath including a nice salt peeling. That felt soooo good.
This night I slept like a baby. 😴🙏🏽 Special thanks to the very cordial stuff at Hotel Elisabeth. They have several guests doing the alpine crossing throughout the year and can accommodate to all your needs. Thank you for the lunch package 😌🙏🏽🇦🇹
19k
720 ⬆️
700 ⬇️
Stage V: Hochfuegen, Rauhenkopf & Melchboden
This was insane. I had the idea to combine two stages: getting to Hochfuegen and at the same day to Mayrhofen. ⛰🤘🏽 That was probably the toughest route, since I combined different sections and stages. But since I was well rested, I managed it.
It started with marmots, mountain goats 🐐 and cool climbing sections and ended with severe thunder storms and hail. 🙈
It was a 3.5 hour hike to Hochfuegen, not particularly difficult. Though at some parts, I wished, I had my bike with me. AGAIN 😅🚴🏼♀️
Then another 5 hours almost entirely along the official route. At first I hesitated, even took a detour with public transportation. But then my ambition kicked in, I went back and did it. The ascent was tougher than anticipated. I admit, I underestimated it a bit. But luckily I didn’t need my headlight or my bivouac and thank you Mr. Weatherman for waiting with the thunderstorm and hail shower that arrived later on.
Would I combine these two routes again? Definitely not. 🙈 But I don’t regret it either. 😌⛰ Especially with the many tourists along this tour. I admit, for me, it was a bit too crowded on this stage.
Generally, it is possible to combine different stages and make individual adjustments. Now that I have done this alpine crossing route, I surely would make some minor changes along this whole tour, trying to avoid as many tourists as possible. 😅 It seems to be pretty popular for organized hiking tours with baggage transfer. My special tip: always start early, if possible shortly after sunrise, to avoid crowds. Or do a sunset tour and sleep at a mountain hut. ⛰ 🛖 That is something I preferred 😌 Or sleep underneath the stars ✨ with your bivouac. 🥰 Alright, the latter is pretty difficult this „summer“.🙈 🌧
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I arrived in Mayrhofen pretty tired and wet, but very happy. 😌 The hut where I was supposed to stay was closed down due to the severe storm. Thus, I made some adjustments and went to the Gasthof Zillertal. Who cares about the additional miles. 😂 A typical laid-back surfer & backpacker hostel focusing on sustainability. 💚 Clean, great location, mountain view.⛰ What more do you need?🤘🏽
Two Grand Finales: Pfitzscherjochhaus & South Tyrol in Northern Italy
Due to the pandemic craziness and an increase in cases, I changed my final destination to a beautiful waterfall near Sterzing, near the valley of St. Jacob. I wanted to avoid these tourist crowds in Sterzing, although I did walk further down to get a view of the town, but didn’t wanna stay overnight. Furthermore, I felt so zen and chill that I just didn’t wanna end my tour walking down some concrete road – that is not my interpretation of a meditative endurance hike. Thus, I rather chose a calm nature spot. This was my grand finale and my most favorite scenery along this tour. ⛰ 🇮🇹 😌
„Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you’re climbing it.“
5:20: getting up was tough, very tough. 😴 I used horse balm for my whole body, was too tired for some stretching or morning yoga 🧘♀️ It was literally the final countdown. But too early to talk, needed my sunglasses. For the first two hours my body was more like a robot doing what needed to be done to reach the first stop: Schlegeisspeicher with views of its glacier.
A little tip. If you have enough time, also go to the mountain hut Olperer Hütte. It is so worth it. 🥰
Now this was my favorite part of the tour so far, walking up to the Lavitz Alm and from there to the Pfitscherjochhaus. The views were so beautiful that at one point I had happy tears in my eyes. Also, you had several opportunities to refill your drinking water. On that tour I drank more than 3 liters.
Hello Italy. 🤘🏽🇮🇹 What better way to celebrate the border crossing than ordering a Spaghetti Bolognese at the Pfitscherjochhaus 🍝 I love this place. Thank you so much for the great hospitality. I will be back soon.
After a short break I went a little further along the Pfitztal and found a nice view spot. It was time to celebrate – I reached my final destination. ⛰🇦🇹💚🇮🇹🥾Well, maybe I will celebrate the next day after some rest and sleep. 🤣 Seriously, everything hurt and I was too tired to do anything. 😴
BTW: From here you can go to lake Garda, another five days or so. But this is something for another chapter. 🙂
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The morning after
Holy cannoli 🙈 This explains A LOT 🤣 And yes, my feet were burning, I definitely needed a professional foot care and just wanted to rest.
127.8 k (accumulated)
4,417 ⬆️ (accumulated)
3,946 ⬇️ (accumulated)
5:30 a.m.: What day is it? Boy, it felt like I had such a long deep sleep phase. 😌 Did this really happen? Did I finish my planned tour? Did I really walk all this? 🥾 Are my feet🦶still working? Today I inhaled the beautiful air & nature around me ⛰ and cherished all my memories. Still needed some time to digest it all – daydreaming with a smile on my face. 🙏🏽
But you know what? I really missed my bike. Cannot wait to take my pretty grasshopper on a little recovery ride. The emphasis is on recovery. 😅🚴🏼♀️
My personal tips for an alpine crossing
Get in shape and build up a solid fitness being able to hike for 6-8 hours with a heavier backpack
Hike, hike and hike throughout the year ⛰
Don’t wear or use new clothes, shoes and gear
You need good hiking / mountain boots 🥾 and a backpack that works for you – if you are not sure, have it fitted by your sports or outdoor expert
Pack light – rather wash some clothes than bringing along too much stuff. Most backpacking experts have lived by the rule of thumb of 30%, or one third, of the hiker’s body weight as a standard weight limit to caution potential hikers (Ray, 2009). This is still pretty heavy! I used all my stuff, but wouldn’t carry more than 12kg, including water. Try to calculate a MAXIMUM of 8-10 kg.
Take excellent care of your feet and only wear hiking socks made of merino wool 🧦
Prevention is key to a pain free journey. For your feet I recommend to use marigold ointment EVERY evening after a tour and use Heel Blister Bandages every day on your pressure points and on those spots where you developed calluses. Also, use horse balm after every tour on your body, including shoulders, upper and lower back, hips, legs, knees, ankles and feet. This way you will prevent muscle aches and soreness. And one last thing, tape the areas where you are sensitive. I for example sometimes tape my knees, hip or lower back for more stability.
Prepare the route according to your own needs. If you wanna spend an extra day somewhere like I did, go for it. If you wanna combine stages or shorten one, do it. I did a mix of different routes and stages and have zero regrets. The most important thing is for you to enjoy it, feel happy and all zen.
Have a plan B ready for every route. It could be weather conditions, or you don’t feel well, just about any unseen circumstance. Prepare an alternative, just in case not everything is coming along according to your plan. I would calculate with 7-10 days.
Go at your own pace, don’t overdo it and ignore overly ambitious tips or comments. Your body, your pace, your rules.
EAT! I know the feeling when you lose your appetite during or after long endurance hikes. But be careful. Especially for the difficult sections, you need it for your strength. Eat healthy and take care of your body.
And the last thing: Have fun! 💗🤘🏽⛰
It is a great opportunity to get away from it all and at the same time an exercise in endurance and perseverance, both mentally and physically.
Would I do it again? This exact same route probably not, though I found some awesome tours I added to my bucket list. 😌 But it was an exciting and wonderful experience: meditative, pure medicine even. 💚 Yes, there were ups and downs, even pretty tough moments, but this is all part of the experience – just be open to it.
These endurance hikes simply put you out in nature, out in the great outdoors, where your everyday life completely fades into the background and your only cares become the weather forecast, water sources along your route and the upcoming mountain views . ⛰ If you are up to it, you will test your limits, reflect on things and get a hole new perspective. Pure mindfulness. 🙏🏽
And my first hot shower felt like seventh heaven, especially since I didn’t have one for 2 days – yep, can happen out in the great outdoors. A quick wash at the river sometimes has to do it.
I haven’t had a coffee ever since and only crave healthy stuff. Guess, the body cleanse was a nice side effect. Yep, everything feels good. 😌☀️ But now I need to catch up on some sleep. 🥱
