Plan Your Trip Austria Outdoors - Austria - page 74

Walk Descriptions in This Guide
» The times and distances for walks are provided only as a guide.
» Times are based on the actual walking time and do not include stops for snacks, taking photos, rests or side trips. Be
sure to factor these in when planning your walk.
» Distances should be read in conjunction with altitudes - significant elevation can make a greater difference to your
walking time than lateral distance.
SNOWSHOEING
Tired of the crowded slopes? Snowshoeing is a great alternative for nonskiers. On a sunny day, there's little that
beats making enormous tracks through deep powder and twinkling forests in quiet exhilaration. If you imagine
snowshoes as old-fashioned, tennis-racquet-like contraptions, think again: the new ones are lightweight and
pretty easy to get the hang of.
Many resorts in the Austrian Alps have marked trails and some offer guided tours for a small charge. It costs
roughly €15 to €20 to hire a set of snowshoes and poles for the day.
Safety
Most walker injuries are directly attributable to fatigue, heat exhaustion and inadequate
clothing or footwear. Falling as a result of sliding on grass, scree or iced-over paths is a
common hazard; watch out for black ice. On high-alpine routes, avalanches and rock falls
can be a problem. A few common-sense rules will help you stay safe when walking:
» Always stick to the marked and/or signposted route, particularly in foggy conditions. With some care, most walking
routes can be followed in fog, but otherwise wait by the path until visibility is clear enough to proceed.
» Study the weather forecast before you go and remember that weather patterns change suddenly in the mountains.
» Increase the length and elevation of your walks gradually, until you are acclimatised to the vast alpine scale; this will
help prevent altitude sickness and fatigue.
» Where possible, don't walk in the mountains alone. Two is considered the minimum number for safe walking, and
having at least one additional person in the party will mean someone can stay with an injured walker while the other
seeks help.
» Inform a responsible person, such as a family member, hut warden or hotel receptionist, of your plans, and let them
know when you return.