Day 28 Sankt Johann to Gaudeamushütte

An early wake and we are packed and eating breakfast at the hotel by 7 am. We bus to the train station and then take a 1.5 hr train ride to Sankt Johann station. This is actually the start of the Adler Weg but during planning we made the decision to do the middle portion first. 

Having learned a few things over the years, we decided to take a taxi the 5 km to where the trail leaves the paved road. This avoids the hot sun and the hard road walk and we are happy to not have the compulsion to walk EFI (every something inch) as this is about vacation, time together and enjoyment, not walking each inch. 

The trail heads steeply up the mountain in beautiful deciduous trees. We move slow as there are plentiful wild strawberries and everyone is picking and munching. 

Before long we are at a huge cave and climbing area that we explore and then move on from and in another ½ hour we are sitting below a huge waterfall eating lunch and enjoying the cool shade. It’s been dry so the water falling is limited but still very enjoyable and I stand under one of the falls to get cooled down. We drink deeply from the pipes d spring at the base of the rock from its cold origin. 

We leave lunch after an hour and continue to follow the edge of the cliff for several kilometers and then climb higher to an overlook where Kitsbühl, a large ski area, is laid out below us. From there we head down and are at the hut eating Kaiserschmarrn by 2 pm, probably the best one we’ve had!

One of many handfuls of strawberries. Makes for slow but enjoyable walking.

Large cave with numerous bolted routes starting inside. Kaiserbergen, the name is the range we are hiking for the next 5 days is famous for its climbing.

Waterfall ‘rain’

This area of the alps has endless views and sections like this but it never gets old.

View out over Kitzbühel ski area and town

Often a cross at the top of a mountain

Andrew reveals his perfect hiker hair and forehead tan line after wearing a bandanna all day