Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Walking & Hiking
Der Berg ruft
(the mountain calls) is what Austrians say as they gallivant off to the hills at
the weekend, and what shopkeepers post on closed doors in summer. And what more ex-
cuse do you need?
For Austrians,
Wandern
(walking) is not a sport, it's second nature. Kids frolicking in
alpine pastures, nuns Nordic-walking in the hills, superfit 70-somethings trekking over
windswept 2000m passes - such universal wanderlust is bound to rub off on you sooner or
later.
With its towering peaks, forest-cloaked slopes and luxuriantly green valleys, the coun-
try's landscapes are perfectly etched and the walking opportunities are endless. Strike into
Austria's spectacularly rugged backyard, listen closely and you too will hear those moun-
tains calling…
Weather
If there's one rule of thumb in the Austrian Alps, it's to never take the weather for granted.
It may
look
sunny but conditions can change at the drop of a hat - hail, lightning, fog, tor-
rential rain, you name it.
Check the forecast before embarking on long hikes at high altitudes. Tourist offices also
display and/or provide mountain-weather forecasts.
Österreichischer Alpenverein
(ÖAV, Austrian Alpine Club;
www.alpenverein.at
)
A reliable web source for weather
forecasts for the alpine regions.
Snow Forecast
(
www.snow-forecast.com
) Up-to-date snow forecasts for major Austrian ski resorts.
Wetter Österreich
(
www.wetter.at
)
Day and three-day weather forecasts, plus up-to-date weather warnings.
