Austria At Its Most Authentic
Wanderlust Travel Magazine|November/December 2021
A land of lakes, peaks, hikes, heartfelt songs and naked saunas, Salzburgerland dishes up classic Austria at its most authentic
Stuart Forster
Austria At Its Most Authentic

Gruss Gott!” exclaimed a cheery hiker as he crunched purposefully past me on a broad mountain path strewn with pebbles. This traditional greeting - frequently used for brief encounters across the Salzburgerland translates literally as “greet God', but originates from a phrase meaning ‘may God bless you'. As I looked around, sun blazing down on the Alpine peaks, I thought: surely it's hard not to feel blessed here.

The hiker was lithe and tanned, effortlessly swinging his walking poles and carrying his mid-sized pack; his gait suggested an ability to cover significant distances with ease. As we passed on the slopes of the Schmittenhöhe, a mountain that peaks at 1,965m, I wondered if he might be about to complete the Hohe Tauern Panorama Trail, a ten-day, 152km hike through Hohe Tauern National Park, opened in May 2021, which ends (or begins) at the lakeside town of Zell am See, just down below. I doubted I'd be moving as freely on my tenth consecutive day of trekking here. But the beauty of these mountains is that they have trails for walkers of all abilities, including intermediates like me.

Indeed, this part of Austria has drawn me back repeatedly since childhood. I love the walking, the language, the culture, the cuisine; it's among my happy places. So I'd returned for a few days exploring around Zell am See and Kaprun to reacquaint myself with a region where spending time outdoors comes all-too-easy after what felt like way too long indoors in recent times.

WALKING ON AIR

Perhaps I'd try the Panorama Trail another time. For now, I satisfied myself with a number of other pleasurable walks amid the Salzburgerland mountains. The infrastructure here - from well-waymarked routes and handy cable cars to mountain huts serving up snacks, beer and hearty meals - means it's easy to explore.

Denne historien er fra November/December 2021-utgaven av Wanderlust Travel Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra November/December 2021-utgaven av Wanderlust Travel Magazine.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA WANDERLUST TRAVEL MAGAZINESe alt
Vermont, USA
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Vermont, USA

The Wanderlust team relocated to New England for part of this issue, as we explored a lush state filled with outdoor escapes, historic towns... and lashings of maple syrup

time-read
6 mins  |
October/November 2023
Unique North America
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Unique North America

See a side to the USA and Canada beyond the big cities and discover incredible stories and special wildlife with our pick of the trips

time-read
5 mins  |
October/November 2023
The call of the Rockies
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

The call of the Rockies

From historic ski lodges to rustic backcountry cabins and a mock-Scottish castle, we pick the stays in Canada's Rocky Mountains that make the most of their setting

time-read
6 mins  |
October/November 2023
A new dawn for the Garifuna community
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

A new dawn for the Garifuna community

When the Garifuna people settled in Belize, they had to carry their traditions and culture with them; now a new trail is inviting visitors to explore this heritage through local communities

time-read
9 mins  |
October/November 2023
On the edge of history
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

On the edge of history

In south-west Colorado lies the largest archaeological preserve in the USA, a series of vast cliff dwellings whose residents 'vanished' overnight. But was the answer to their disappearance in plain sight?

time-read
10+ mins  |
October/November 2023
Tigers burning bright
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Tigers burning bright

As India celebrates 50 years of its Project Tiger conservation scheme, we visit the reserves of Madhya Pradesh to see how its success has impacted a tiger population that once looked in danger of disappearing

time-read
9 mins  |
October/November 2023
SEASON'S GREETINGS
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

SEASON'S GREETINGS

From fiery fall foliage to art fairs and harvest festivals, opens up a wealth of across the USA and Canada autumn experiences

time-read
10 mins  |
October/November 2023
Waking a sleeping GIANT
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Waking a sleeping GIANT

A slow drive along the North Wales Way, from the English border to Anglesey, reveals not only a land of incredible local food and castles, but a region that is slowly reimagining itself

time-read
8 mins  |
October/November 2023
The rebirth of old JEDDAH
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

The rebirth of old JEDDAH

As efforts to restore Al-Balad, Jeddah's historical district, take hold, we get an exclusive peek at how art and culture are taking centre stage

time-read
10 mins  |
October/November 2023
Star-studded escapes
Wanderlust Travel Magazine

Star-studded escapes

Wilderness, history and wildlife combine at some of Britain's most iconic stargazing sites, as more and more travellers are looking to the heavens

time-read
8 mins  |
October/November 2023