Seidlwinkl and Rauris: Austria Part 6

On our penultimate day, we took a walk up the Seidlwinkl valley, about further up the valley from Rauris.

The Seidlwinkl is alleged to be one of the prettiest valleys in Austria, and accessible only during the non snowy season. Once the white stuff falls, that's it, you can't get up there. We drove to the car park and a couple of the party waited for a regular mini bus that goes up the stony tracks to the three alms that are in the valley, and we'd meet them at the first one. The initial climb is fairly steep and gives you a good work out, but after a kilometre or two the valley flattens and widens, sided by steep mountains.

A waterfall in the Seidlwinkl

There are numerous waterfalls cascading down the valley sides, into the icy clear river that tumbles its way down the valley. Soon after the track flattens and the valley widens you are greeted by the sight of the Gollenhenalm, the first alm in the valley. Here we met up with those who caught the mini bus, and has a nice coffee/hot chocolate. It's a small alm, that also serves cake and food. These are generally family owned/leased, and run in the summer months, but of course as this valley closes in the winter, the family move out for the duration. 

Gollehenalm - the first alm in the valley

After being suitably refreshed we continued down the track towards our next destination, the Palfneralm. In the meadows alongside the river, cowbells clanged as the herd munched their lush green grass. Soon, they'd also be moved out of the valley for the winter.

It was a sturdier bridge than it looks!

After about 30 minutes walking along a mostly flattish track, we arrived at the Palfneralm. This is the second of three (or maybe four) that run into the valley, but this was as far as we were going today.

Palfneralm 

 

By now it was time for a snack, and we variously ordered goulash/noodle soup, bread meat and cheese, apple strudel and of course a refreshing drink of choice - usually the local Steigl beer for the boys, or Radler (like a lager shandy using cloudy lemonade), or Almdudler, a sparkly type herbal drink.

The food was wonderful, home made and delicious. Following the meal, the alms hostess plied us with a complimentary schnapps made from infused cranberries - really nice - so much so, a couple of bottles were purchased for later consumption!

After we were sated, it was a gentle walk back down the valley to pick up the cars.

The Seidlwinkl valley near Palfneralm

The Seidlwinkl

And then, before you could say what a week that's been, it was our last day. We reprised our first day trip up the Hochenbalm in Rauris, but exactly a week after our first trip up, all the snow had gone - at least up to 1,700m were we got to.

What a difference a week makes.
Exactly 7 days apart - top our first day, bottom 7 days later

The lack of snow, at least meant we were able to sit outside at the alm and enjoy our refreshments - in fact, it was pretty warm!

Luckily not deep (here at least)

There might have been no snow, but there was also less cloud, so the views whereas always, fabulous. as we walked down from the top cable car station to the middle station, catching glimpses of Rauris four to five hundred metres below. There was even the opportunity for a rest now and again!

A quick lie down to catch breath

Walking down to mid station

We have walked all the way down from this spot before, but it's a long old walk, and frankly we were glad to jump into the cable cars at mid station and see Rauris getting closer

Almost at mid station

So that, pretty much was that. We had a fabulous time. Drank far too much, ate probably too much, but walked plenty to combat both the former sins. The fresh mountain air did us all good, and the company was fabulous. 

This was my second time here, and we'll definitely be back - I've only come in summer/early autumn, so I'd love to come in the winter when it's proper snowy (although Anne I think is less keen).

It's a beautiful part of the world, and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

You'll be pleased to know, dear reader, that our trip back was wholly uneventful. Our flight times on our home journey meant we had a six hour stop wait over at Frankfurt, so no danger of missing our connecting flight, and plenty of time for getting sustenance. I must remember next time though, that if we go via Frankfurt again we need at least 2 hours between connecting flights. 50 minutes just won't cut it!

Thanks for following these posts. For now, auf weidersehen!

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