The Land of Apple Strudel and Mozartkugeln

Ah, I still remember it like it was yesterday, my first trip to Austria. I was just four years old, and my folks decided to take me to the mountains for that fresh, clean mountain air. At the time, I was having a bit of trouble with my respiratory system, so a few weeks in the mountains were supposed to do wonders for me. I remember my mom telling me we were going to a land with really tall mountains, and when we got to Tyrol, I blurted out, “well, these mountains aren’t that tall!”

Fast forward to now, and I’ve definitely learned my lesson – you don’t just casually climb a mountain. Nearly every year, I gear up at least once to trek through the Austrian Alps. Sometimes it’s for a day hike, other times for a challenging hut-to-hut trek. When you’re in Austria, you just can’t sit still. The mountains are calling to be explored, most often on foot.

Hiking in Austria is for everyone. For the adventurers who like to rappel down mountain faces on steel cables, for the wanderers who enjoy strolling across the alpine meadows, and for families who often can simply take a cable car up to enjoy the peace and beauty of the highest peaks.

Not feeling like being active for a day? Then Glamping Natterer See in Tyrol is totally for you. It’s nestled right in the heart of stunning nature, and places like the fortress town of Kufstein are just a stone’s throw away. This spot was my base last summer for a long and active weekend in the Kaisertal. I spent a night in the city and then slept in a mountain hut against the granite walls of the Wilder Kaiser. After the hike, a big slice of homemade cake hit the table, followed by a hearty dinner, a hefty mug of beer, and of course, apple strudel for dessert. Mountain air makes you hungry, and thankfully, they know exactly how to deal with that in Austria. I’ve indulged in Knödel, Kaiserschmarrn, and those deliciously greasy Spätzle with tons of cheese more times than I can count. And a Wiener Schnitzel with fries? I can down that without breaking a sweat. If you ever find yourself in Kufstein, I highly recommend eating at Hotel Tiroler Hof – the schnitzels they serve up are simply divine.

Now, I can almost hear you asking: all that food? Don’t you end up gaining a ton of weight on vacation? Nope, because I’m active all day, my metabolism is firing on all cylinders. When I’m not hiking in Austria, I’m biking, skiing, via ferrata climbing, or doing something else that gets the adrenaline pumping. Austria is a paradise for outdoor adventurers. Still on my Austria bucket list are paragliding, canyoning, and rafting. Oh, and I’d love to climb the Grossglockner someday, although that might be a bit ambitious. But then again, never say never. For now, I’ll just pop another Mozartkugel in my mouth and dream about the next time I head back to Austria.