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!
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.
I am honest: one of my most favorite gorges in our region is the Gleirschklamm. It is less touristy, has gorgeous views and is a little more adventurous than others, especially in combination with a longer mountaineering tour.
Is the Partnachklamm Gorge worth it?
Well, the Partnachklamm gorge is probably one of the most touristy attractions. It surely is very pretty, has intense colors and great caves. BUT: it screams mass tourism. Yes, it is worth a visit, if you have not seen it before, but I strongly recommend a weekday during off-season. Otherwise you will have horrible queue lines and it is way too crowded. During winter, you can book a guided tour with torches. That is definitely a little more special, but also VERY popular.
Due to the pandemic, you currently still have to wear an FFP2 mask on your hike through the gorge.
For people who don’t live near the mountains, it is pretty impressive, since it is rougher & wilder than other gorges. Also, if you wanna climb up the Zugspitze via the Reintal, it is a nice tour. But frankly, it didn’t make my top ten list because it is just too touristy. Sorry!
Leutaschklamm
The Leutaschklamm is also a very popular gorge, but for me personally a little more relaxing. Maybe it has to do with my love for Tyrol and its scenery.
The Leutasch Gorge is a gorge near Mittenwald and Unterleutasch in the Bavarian-Tyrolean border area. It is very steep-sided and with a total length of 1,650 metres it is the longest accessible gorge in the Eastern Limestone Alps.
There are many more beautiful gorges to come. So, stay tuned and enjoy this great, refreshing mountain summer.
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.
What I love about Davos is that there are so many different trails and mountain paths that you can actually be alone, if you feel like it. During any day of the week.
One of my favorite spots is the Rinerhorn because there are so many different routes up and down this local mountain. Although it has been attracting more and more tourists, it is still more popular among locals, which I love.
Whether you wanna go mountain biking, running or hiking, this one has it all and I always discover something new. If you are a trail runner or hiker, don’t take the cable car – walk or run up the mountain either via Davos Clavadel or Sertig; it is so worth it.
Winter season brings out the romance in me. I just love the holiday season. This year I discovered a true fairy tale in Lenzerheide, Switzerland.
The Zauberwald Lenzerheide is one of the most magical Christmas markets I have ever seen. You get to enjoy pretty cool art and light installations, live concerts, even some poetry and traditional Christmas booths with hot cider, local food and craftsmanship – surrounded by the majestic mountains of Lenzerheide.
Right now it is my favorite Christmas market, EVER. I got goosebumps, happy tears and could really feel the magic of the trees – breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful.
How to get there
It is pretty close to Munich. Hence, I took the Flixbus to Chur (a three-hour ride from Munich for 15 EUR) and from there I hopped on the PostBus to Lenzerheide – a 40-minute ride from Chur. If you prefer a little road trip, it only takes two hours and half from Munich.
I recommend to stay for a whole weekend. Lenzerheide is just so pretty. I can really picture myself living there. You find many great deals online. I stayed at the Hotel Sarain Active Mountain Resort, which was all I needed. My recommendation for the Zauberwald Lenzerheide: book a priority ticket online. This saves you a lot of hustle. If you start early at around 5 p.m. it is not too crowded, either.
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All in all, I spent 150 EUR for a whole weekend, including entrance fees, accommodation, bus fares and food expenses.
“Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
Denali National Park and Preserve encompasses 6 million acres of Alaska’s interior wilderness. Its centerpiece is 20,310-ft.-high Denali (formerly known as Mount McKinley), North America’s tallest peak. With terrain of tundra, spruce forest and glaciers, the park is home to wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and Dall sheep. Popular activities in summer include biking, backpacking, hiking and mountaineering.
Every year, travelers take to the famous Stampede Trail in the Denali borough. It is known from the book & movie “Into the Wild” – the true story of Amercian adventurer Christopher McCandless, born February 12, 1968 in El Segundo, California.
He was found dead on September 6, 1992, at Stampede Trail, Alaska. The adventurer died from starvation and possibly poisoning at age 24 while camping alone on a remote trail.
The trail keeps attracting adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. Unfortunately, many come unprepared – just like Christophier McCandless himself. Hence, the bus has been the source of multiple rescues since it was made famous, first by Jon Krakauer’s book published in 1996 and then by Sean Penn’s 2007 film.
The Wilderness in Alaska
I am pretty adventurous myself and LOVE the great outdoors. I climb mountains, hike at night all by myself, sleep on mountain peaks and try to push myself beyond my limits. But I only take calculated risks and know the difference between the great outdoors in the European Alps and the wilderness in Alaska.
The trail is located near the northern boundary of Denali National Park in a small finger of State of Alaska public land that extends into the national park. Of course, I wanted to see the bus, but the weather conditions were just awful. Traversing the beaver ponds, “mud flats,” and crossing the Teklanika River are major obstacles. There was no way I would be able to make it all by myself. Hence, I turned around, which was wise.
Also, I did not camp out there – especially not alone. I had no gun, was not familiar with the terrain and the weather was just unpredictable. So, this time I decided to better be safe than sorry.
Majestic Mt. McKinley
However, the trip is so worth it. The highest mountain in North America has been the goal of aspiring high altitude climbers since it was first climbed in 1913.
I admit, I wanna learn more about high-altitude climbing, finding out what I would be capable of. I will definitely go on more climbing trips back home. Cannot really explain it, but it is the mountains where I feel most alive.
So, apologies: I don’t have a picture of me in front of the bus, but I made some great memories, anyways.
About 5 percent of Alaska’s area is covered by more than 100,000 glaciers — that’s about 29,000 square miles (75,000 square kilometers), or more than the entire state of West Virginia. While a few of Alaska’s large glaciers are advancing, 99 percent are retreating, the book, “Glaciers in Alaska,” states.
True Magic in Alaska
“Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart.”
A true saying from a Native American. Alaska is treating me well. Almost seven months after my mountain bike accident I feel good again. Happy and peaceful. I don’t have a big itinerary or major plans, I simply take each day as it comes, just following my heart.
And there it was. This pure beauty! For a moment, I was holding my breath, got goosebumps all over. Breathtakingly beautiful – simply magical. Honestly, no words can describe this experience. Untouched nature. One of the most gorgeous and impressive scenery I have ever seen so far. But see for yourself.
Glacier Sightseeing in Alaska
Alaska’s melting glaciers are losing 75 billion tons of ice a year. According to a recent study, Alaskan glaciers melt 100 times faster than scientists previously estimated. One could write a whole book on glacier melting, its causes, climate change and so on.
But right now I just want to share one of my most magical moments with you. It is true what people say: “Alaska is too big to see in one lifetime, even for a resident. But there are wild pieces that can be explored from different angles – riding in a helicopter, standing on a glacier, and of course vista gazing from a big wide deck with a fresh Alaska grown meal.”
Best glaciers to visit in Alaska
As I mentioned earlier, there are about 100,000 glaciers in Alaska. I went on a little glacier expedition, learning about some of them. In Alaska there are several glaciers that calve icebergs that do not move very far from their source. So, that is pretty cool to watch.
Below I put together my personal recommendations.
Matanuska is one of the largest glaciers, but it’s also the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States.
Mendenhall Glacier.
Spencer Glacier.
Portage Glacier.
Knik Glacier.
Hubbard Glacier.
Kahiltna Glacier.
Just a little side note: Blue ice occurs when snow falls on a glacier, is compressed, and becomes part of the glacier. Air bubbles are squeezed out and ice crystals enlarge, making the ice appear blue.
If you are specifically looking for glaciers you can walk on, these are my favorites:
Exit Glacier (near Seward)
Matanuska Glacier (near Anchorage)
Mendenhall Glacier (near Juneau)
Worthington Glacier (near Valdez)
Childs Glacier (near Cordova)
Portage and Byron Glaciers (near Anchorage)
Middle and Explorer Glaciers (near Anchorage)
I will leave you with these tips and will keep exploring this beautiful country.
xoxo
photo and video credits: Munich Mountain Rebel, unsplash.com, pexels.com
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.
