Tag: hiking

Gleirschklamm & Karwendel Mountains in Tyrol

Posted in Sports & OutdoorTagged , , , , ,

Since Austria is now considered a safe travel destination, I wanted to share some of my favorite spots in the regions of Scharnitz and Seefeld.

Gschwandtkopf in Seefeld

This is a nice, easy trail running route with amazing views of the Austrian Alps: Wetterstein Mountains, Karwendel, Ötztal & Stubai Alps. Just make sure to use the hiking / snowshoeing trail and not the forest road. Elevation gain: 400 m, 10k – depending on the route.

Isar Trails in the Karwendel Mountain Range

The source of the Isar is in the municipality of Scharnitz in Tyrol, surrounded by the mighty Karwendel mountain massif. Even today, the river is still part of the culture and history of the Alpine region. The source of the Isar, also known as “by the rivers”, can be reached from Scharnitz on foot, by bike or e-bike. The crystal clear, blue water accompanies visitors along the beautiful Hinterau valley. Here, you can basically pick ANY route. The views are breathtakingly beautiful.

However, make sure to carry along plenty of water during summer, since it gets incredibly hot in The Valley. Also, use sun protection and cover your head. When planning a tour, check the weather conditions. During a hot summer day, you might need longer than the given time frames on the signposts and in the afternoons, there is often a high risk of thunderstorms. Hence, I recommend to start early in the morning. I mostly do 6-7 hour tours in the Karwendel mountains, and it is always worth it.

Gleirschklamm

This is one of my favorite gorges in the area, starting directly at the train station of Scharnitz. Most of the time, I do the longer round tour via the Isar valley, roughly 20k, elevation gain: 600 m, ca. 4 hours.

A huge plus: it doesn’t get too crowded. But be aware that it does get extremely hot during the summer months. Though the water is pretty refreshing, make sure to cover your head and drink lots of water.

I hope, some of these spots inspire you and that you get to enjoy this beautiful mountain summer.

xoxo

Snow Day Trips Near Munich

Posted in AllgemeinTagged , , , , , ,

One thing 2020 taught us is to you cherish the little things in life. Here I put together some of my favorite tours during the lockdown, exploring our home mountains near Munich 🏔

Sport Sessions at Lake Spitzingsee

Whether you take a little hike to the Obere Firstalm, go fatbiking or explore the cross-country trails, it is one of my favorite places for a short sports session.

Recovery Hike at Lake Tegernsee

After a tough workout I love to go for a little recovery hike at lake Tegernsee – especially the Hoehenweg from Gmund and to the Neureuth mountain hut.

Snowshoeing Kreuzwankl

For those who are fit, I recommend a snowshoeing tour in Garmisch. You start at the valley station of the Hausberg, take the hiking route up to the Kochelbergalm. There you check your mountaineering gear and put on your snowshoes hiking up to the Bayernhaus, then even further to the Kreuzwankl skiing slopes and to the Trögelhuette with majestic views of the Zugspitze.

During the lockdown all slopes and cable cars are closed so that you need to be fit enough to climb up in deep snow and also hike back down. Elevation gain with some very steep passages: 800 – 1,100 m, 17-21k.

Lake Eibsee

Once you are already in Garmisch and did a great snowshoeing tour, take a relaxing recovery walk along the lake Eibsee and just breathe: a nice 8k walk to refuel your energy.

Josefstal at Lake Schliersee

Another magic recovery tour is the hike from lake Schliersee to the Josefstal waterfalls. A calming route with beautiful views.

However, always make sure to check weather reports, bring the right equipment & safety gear, lots of fluids and always listen to your body. Only go on tours you can manage & remember that touring in snowy & icy conditions is more difficult & might take up more time as well. Stay safe and healthy!

Kreuzeck & Bernadeinsteig

Posted in AllgemeinTagged , , , , ,

During fall season, this area around the Kreuzeck is a secret tip: not crowded, endless trails for mountain bikers, climbers, trail runners and hikers. On my last tour I also discovered a magical spot for a snowshoeing tour in winter. As soon as the cable cars are up and running again after the winter COVID lockdown, I will share it with you.

But for now, I will leave you with my fall impressions.

Fall excursions in Davos

Posted in AllgemeinTagged , , , , , ,

I love the in-between season in Davos: gorgeous fall colors, blue skies, first snow – magic is in the air. Here are some day tour inspirations.

Sunrise Tour Strelapass

Get up early and hike up to the Strelapass where you start your day with a nice breakfast and beautiful views over the Davos mountain range.

Schatzalp Lunch

I could die for their Swiss „Rösti“. Although this place is a bit too touristy for me, every now and then I like to stop by for lunch.

Flüelapass

Ready for some magic? This is by far one of my favorite areas for sporting activities. In 2021 I will be back with an awesome bike & hike tour up to the Schwarzhorn.

Sertig Valley

Yes, I know, I have already published so many posts on it. But it is a classic and always worth a tour for everyone: mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers.

Dischma

During fall season this valley reminds me of Iceland: mystery & love is in the air.

Burger at Lokal Davos

After a great long day tour I often crave my favorite burger at Lokal Davos, best burger place in town, if you ask me.

Stargazing at Lake Tegernsee

Posted in Sports & OutdoorTagged , , , , , , ,

For lovers of the outdoors, there’s nothing better than sleeping under the beautiful night sky and really feeling that connection with nature. Here are two of my favorite tours.

Wallberg

You will experience one of the most beautiful sunsets and sunrises on top of the Wallberg mountain. Especially during summer, this is a magical unforgettable experience. Just make sure to dress in layers and bring some warm clothes, since temperatures can drop to 4-5 degrees Celsius at night – even when it’s hot during the day. It is definitely a classic, which makes it pretty crowded during the day. But one hour before sunset or sunrise, you barely meet anyone and can enjoy these beautiful moments.

During perfect weather conditions you get to watch paragliders above you and have majestic views of the Karwendel mountains, Großglockner and the Zugspitze.

Riederstein

This a top tip. The Riederstein is a popular mountain peak among local trail runners. But right before sunset or sunrise, you will barely meet anyone – most of the time you get the chance to be by yourself.

During the Perseids meteor shower in August, this is my secret tip for you. Hike up at around 7 p.m. and enjoy a little picnic watching the sun go down. Afterwards, simply enjoy the changing colors of the sky, the mood, the atmosphere, watching the mountain town go to sleep. Between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. you will experience the most gorgeous night sky making it a secret spot for stargazing, spotting the milky way and countless shooting stars.

This summer we saw the most magical shooting stars so far, just got goosebumps from watching this incredibly beautiful sky, cherishing this moment. It is certainly one of the most unforgettable experiences and don’t forget to make a wish upon a shooting star.

It is moments like these that make life worth living and let you forget about anything else. My personal recommendation: After watching the sunrise hike down to Rottach Egern, enjoy a breakfast at café Max I. Joseph at the Seeforum (reservation is recommended) and take the boat back to Tegernsee, enjoying a relaxing day at the lake.

Wild Camping is prohibited

One last thing, though. Wild camping is illegal in Bavaria. So, please be careful and appreciate mother nature when you are out there. No trespassing, no wild camping, no tent and don’t leave any trash.

For those of you who need a little rest after sunset and before sunrise, bivouacking is within a grey area and is allowed when taking a break or as protection from the weather. But the border from taking a break to camping is quite vague.

Bivouacking means staying in the open without a tent and is not regulated by law. You can sleep in your sleeping bag for one night and protect yourself from the weather with a tarpaulin. In both cases, fire, noise, or damage to property is still prohibited.

To avoid trespassing, you should ask the owner of the property if you can camp one night. Usually, it is not a problem to obtain permission from a private landowner. This is almost always possible, especially in rural areas.

Nevertheless, I hope you get to enjoy one of these magical moments. If you are interested in a guided tour with me, drop me a dm.

xoxo

photo credits: Munich Mountain Rebel

Klosters Lake Schlappin

Posted in Sports & OutdoorTagged , , ,

I recently did the Klosters Circuit Tour Stage 6 – Russna – Schlappin. A beautiful tour leading to an even more beautiful destination: the small Walser settlement Schlappin and the Schlappin Lake in the middle of magnificent mountain scenery.

This section of the Klosters Circuit Trail leads past houses and stables, across meadows and through the forest until you reach the Walser settlement Schlappin. Schlappin was inhabited year-round up until the 17th century. And still today hikers have the possibility to stop and rest there or even stay overnight. If you would like to stay in Schlappin overnight, please click here for more information: http://www.schlappin.ch

At Hotel Alpina (opposite the train station) follow the signpost in the direction of “Alpenrösli”. At the church, cross the street and follow the road uphill right next to the bus stop “Kirchplatz”. Continue to follow the signposts in the direction of “Alpenrösli Berggasthaus”. Here you have the opportunity to combine the experience of the magnificent viewpoint with a refreshment in the Berggasthaus. From Alpenrösli follow the signs through the forest downhill towards “Klosters” and later towards “In da Mura”. The path, which is marked by signs, leads across a meadow and between houses. As soon as you reach the main road, follow the signs towards “Schlappintobel” and “Schlappin”. The path leads down to Schlappinstrasse. Follow the road for a while until you reach a signpost where “Schlappin” is written twice. To avoid having to follow the road all the time, take the Wiesenweg. This will lead you to Schlappin. As soon as you see the lake, cross the bridge and reach the Walser settlement Schlappin.

Definitely a nice little tour for a relaxing day out in the mountains.

xoxo

photo credits: Munich Mountain Rebel

Swiss National Park Zernez

Posted in Sports & OutdoorTagged , , ,

For those of you who are looking for peaceful, quiet tours with barely any tourists, I recommend a day trip to the Swiss National Park. I call it little Canada, a 90-minute train and bus ride from Davos Klosters. You simply take the train to Zernez and from there you just hop on the bus which will drop you off at all the different hiking stops.

Fuornbach

One of my favorite spots is the Fuornbach. There is just one spot right down at the river bank that reminds me of Canada and my great times in Alaska. I could just sit there for one or two hours, having a picnic, doing nothing. This is a place you just fall in love with.

I combined the walk along the river with a nice little hike near the Italian border. You can either hike to the Fuorntal or to Alp la Schera – both are very easy hikes for the whole family. No special requirements or difficulties, just beautiful nature.

So, if you are looking for a relaxing summer far from the crowds, this one should be on your list.

Just one little side note, if you decide to take your car. There are construction works on the road, which can be annoying if you are planning a road trip. Currently, public transportation is less stressful.

xoxo

Winter Hiking Day Trips near Munich: Lake Tegernsee & Seefeld

Posted in Sports & OutdoorTagged , , ,

I recently read an article on the benefits of winter hiking. Scorching more calories, building muscle, lasting fat-burning effect – AND: empty trails. Do you need more arguments to get up? Whose new year’s resolution was to get fitter, healthier? Well, then move your butts and pick one of these hiking trips near Munich.

Lake Tegernsee

This one is easy. I mean, I have shared so many different hiking routes already. Whether you hike from Gmund to Rottach-Egern, hike up the Wallberg or take a shorter route, the views are always breathtakingly beautiful. My favorite tour is the winter hiking route up the Wallberg. Always worth it!

Seefeld in Tyrol

This one is perfect for a day trip. Just take the Flixbus from Munich to Seefeld and exit at the Rosshütte Valley station. It is not even a two-hour drive. So, very relaxing.

During winter, it is a pretty similar path to the summer route, only with minor changes. Simply follow the ski-touring sign and you are good to go. You can either hike, go touring or snowshoeing, this is up to you. It is an easy two-hour hike and afterwards, you can enjoy the little winter village, watching the cross-country athletes, go iceskating or simply sip some hot punch.

As you can see in the pictures above, it doesn’t matter what the weather is like. Just get out there, have fun and enjoy the great outdoors. Your mind and body will be thankful.

xoxo

photo credits: Munich Mountain Rebel

Lake Eibsee at the Zugspitze

Posted in Sports & OutdoorTagged , ,

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.

xoxo

photo credits: Munich Mountain Rebel