Vie ferrate in Bella Italia - Day III

Our last day in Italy has come. We drove just some kilometers south to Dro and parked the car behind a sports field. In less than 10 minutes, we reached the entrance to the via ferrata "Rio Sallagoni" (Difficulty C - B/C).

It was a real adventure to climb in a narrow canyon. After the first part, there was a broad green sandy area finishing again in a tight canyon.

We crossed the creek on top with a rope bridge and then continued uphill. We crossed several times through the water and climbed next to a little waterfall through a tight hole upwards.

The next climbing part contained another rope bridge over the creek. The secured via ferrata ended at the wooden bridge and a trail led up to the Castello di Drena. 

We decided to go on (difficulty A/B - B) that challenged us even a bit more and I got some wet feet.

Then I did not care anymore to always stay on top of the stones. At the end, a final rope led up to a little vineyard. Nearby was the castle and a little cafe. There we enjoyed a final drink and evaluated our course.

To reach back to the parking lot, we took a trail that crossed the street twice and that had a last rock to climb down. 

It was a fantastic weekend and I am planning already the next tours.

Vie ferrate in Bella Italia - Day II

I nearly overslept and had just 10 min for breakfast that was better than dinner. We drove in direction of Lago di Ledro and parked the cars in Biacesa (418 m). 

From there we followed the road uphill to the fork of "Sentèr dei Bech". This trail went through the wood and along the southern slopes of La Rocca. 

View from trail

On the way up to the chapel San Giovanni (858 m) we climbed the first via ferrata "Sentiero delle Laste"  (easy). The ferrata was still in the forest and interrupted several times by normal hiking passages. 

San Giovanni

From the chapel we took the "Sentiero Foletti" (difficulty A/B) that crossed the rock wall and rounded the la Rocca a bit more. The end was very easy. 

 Then we went on "sentiero Foletti" (difficulty A/B) and headed up to the top of La Rocca (1090 m).

After a break on the top for pictures, relaxing and food, we got our lamps out and headed down the last via ferrata for today - "Sentiero dei Camminamenti" (difficulty A/B). This one led through caves in the mountains that were used during the world wars. 

 In one cave, we had to climb down a long ladder. Beware of the dead ends.

Back at the chapel, we used the normal trail down back to the car. In Arco, we ordered big ice-cream cups to reward ourselves. In the hotel after another round in the pool, we learned about knots, ropes and mountain weather.

Vie ferrate in Bella Italia - Day I

Early Friday morning, I met some other mountain enthusiasts in Munich and we left in direction of Lake Garda. We wanted to take part in a via ferrata course of the German Alpine Association. 

We were six participants and one guide and after an equipment check we drove to Arco. We parked the car at a camping site in Prabi and took the trail uphill to start the via ferrata "Sentiero attrezzato del Collodri" where our guide explained us how to use the equipment. 

start of the via ferrata

Then we climbed for 45 min (difficulty A/B) to the top and had a great view on Arco and Lake Garda. 

the final rope

The cross of Collodri is at 340 m. From there we went to some exercise rocks where we tried climbing some meters without protection - up was easier than down. 

Collodri (340 m)

Going down we used an easy trail to Arco where we enjoyed ice-cream and checked the outdoor stores for sales and offers.

Arco

We drove back to Pietramurata to check into Hotel Daino. I got a room just for myself (45€ per night incl. half-board). After the feedback I read on different sites I asked for a room to the back. I swam several rounds in the hotel pool before the three course dinner. It could have been much better. Later, we sat outside and spoke another hour about the theory.

Castello di Arco

Mount Schönberg (1621 m)

I was a bit unlucky with my vacation planning. First, Condor cancelled my flight to Sharm-el-Sheikh so I could not attend the AIESEC Alumni conference there. Then, my DAV tour to Germany's highest mountain Zugspitze was called off due to bad weather.

So I made a fast decision to make a day tour with DAV to Mount Schönberg. I met another hiker in Munich and we drove to the meeting point between Kreuth and Lenggries. We were 11 mostly women and followed our tour guide through the forest along a creek.

After half an hour we reached an Alm (alpine pasture) with cows and a hut. We walked down the forest road to a little chapel and then left the road.

We headed uphill on a very steep trail for another half an hour till we hit the forest road again.

Then we made a change of plans and took a longer way around the mountain before heading to the top.

Not only we made it there, but also some para gliders preparing for take off and some cows according to their droppings all over the place. We ate lunch while enjoying the view of the surrounding valleys.

We left the top as clouds were building up. We took the forest road downhill and crossed the Alm again. On the last part of the trail, we nearly got lost and missed the trail to our parking.

Mount Pendling (1563 m)

After working the last months more or less without break, it's now time again for some tours and trips. The last five months will hold more tours and trips: 6 countries and 55 days away. Starting with a day trip to the Kufstein area in Austria and climbing Mount Pendling.

It was an easy tour starting from the parking area in Schneeberg. First, we walked on the forest road but soon were heading deep in the wood on a lonely trail without any signs.

After half an hour, we came to a crossing with a signpost and continued our way uphill and through the wood.  From then, more and more people were on the trail and on the forest road we could see mountain bikers.

After crossing the forest road we made it fast to the cross on the first top where we had a small rest. A bit further is the second cross with a fantastic view on the valley.

Around the next corner, there was the Kufsteiner House (Pendlinghütte) where we took our lunch and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

Downhill we followed the forest road for a while but when that got boring we took a trail and landed on another view point with a bank. After one and a half hours we were back in the valley - just in time to eat an ice-cream before the rain started.

Skiing at Lofer Alm

For the last day of the holidays, we chose a ski area on the way back home. 

Slopes

Almwelt Lofer was a family area so most of the pistes were blue and red. The black slopes 10 & 12 were mainly black because of the steep ski lifts and 12 was mostly a narrow way. 

If you take the right exit from the ski lift, you can reach a little powder paradise - just don't follow the piste curve.

Powder paradise

Snow/ Weather

The sun shone the whole day making it a perfect Sunday. The snow was well done and had a good grip in top. In the valley very soft and warm. 

Restaurant 

We had lunch at the Main Alm restaurant. Unfortunately, we had to wait very long for the food to arrive.

Specialties

Wifi was in a lot of places and even worked in the gondola for the first 50-100 meters. On the Alm, there are two big ski school areas with a lot of fun stuff for the kids.

So this was the end of this year's skiing holiday and skiing season - no injuries, lot's of sun and snow.

Skicircus Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria

Slopes

200 km of slopes offer you a big choice between blue, red and black. The main slopes are fitted with snow machines. 

The area offered three different circuits: Ski Circus - once around the whole area including Leogang. On Tuesday, we made this circuit and covered more than 40 km on slopes and more than 7000 vertical meters.

map of the skiing area

The next day, we started off at the same point but went in the other direction for the Hinterglemm Circuit. From the West Top we took several times the Skiroute 6 on which you can enjoy the powder snow if it freshly snowed. 

Saalbach circuit - mainly blue slopes lead around Saalbach. After 16 km and nearly 3000 vertical meters you are back at the start.

A great piste is No. 68 from the top of the Polten chair lift to the village of Viehhofen. After 7.5 km downhill we arrived just in front of the ski bus stop. The bus brought us to the Schönleiten gondola where we could change in another bus or take the gondola for another round. 

Snow & Weather

Due to the warm temperatures the snow was very soft, watery and was piling up in little hills - to use a Bavarian word: Sulz. The sun was shining at the start of the week and a lot of sun screen was necessary. 

On Wednesday, it started snowing and we had some powder on the top. At the end of the week the sun came back.

View to Westgipfel

Restaurants

Rosswaldhütte on slope 28. Sun terrace split in self-service and served area. Normal Austrian food - we took Leberkäse and Würstel with Pommes. Nothing special and no wifi.

Bärnalm at the top of Bernkogelbahn. On two sides there is a sun terrace with a good view on Schattberg and Zwölfelkogel. We shared a grill plate that was delicious and continued with a cherry-choco cake. Wifi.

Sonnalm on slope 34 & 38 at the valley station if the Sunliner chairlift was our lunch location on Wednesday. We sat in the terrace below a sun umbrella that also kept the snow away. We enjoyed a pancake soup and Wiener Schnitzel. The dessert menu caters mainly to the strudel lovers, so we left for cake to the Bärnalm. Wifi. 

Sky Rest was the place for another lunch situated on the top if Schattberg East. Not only the location was higher but also the prices. We had fish (the lemon was missing) and pancake soup (I had had better ones). The apricot pancakes for dessert were very sweet. On sunny days the view must be fantastic. Wifi.

There was only one restaurant on slope 68, so when it snowed heavily on Friday we turned into the Hecherhütte for lunch. Inside was a wooden fire waiting and an old-fashioned furniture. Try avoid sitting in view of the door as there is a lot of cold air coming in whenever opened. Spaghetti Bolognese was okay. When people at the table started smoking it was time for us to head out. And the sun was back!

On Saturday, we chose to check out the Westgipfelhütte and its sun terrace. Fortunately all places outside we're already taken as a heli was landing short after for some emergency rescue. Inside we ordered Peasant salad and Westgipfel Toast and finished it with Sacher cake. 

Specialties 

Wifi spots at several valley and top stations - working fine but you have to accept the terms every time you use it. 

At six spots there is a snap shot station -  you can download the picture later from the Internet or send as e-card.

Snapshot:-)

At the end of valley was a tree top trail but we did not walk it as our legs were already wasted from skiing and jumping. 

From Westgipfel you can do tandem paragliding flights to the valley.

 My new carver!

Victor's new carver?!