[Story /Experience Share] Gmunden, Austria || Never ever try to hike alone and what you should notice before entering the mountain during winter in Austria

 

[Story /Experience Share] Gmunden, Austria

Never ever try to hike alone and 

what you should notice before entering the mountain during winter in Austria

Usually, its snows in Austria during winter, and most of the time, it is cloudy. Whenever you got this kind of weather, usually people have a low willingness to go outdoor. However, since it was my first weekend off at the time. I was so excited to go outdoor and explore this amazing country no matter what happened. Even tho the weather sucks, I am willing to go out and start my own adventure. 

At that time, the city Wels is where I stay. And it is only 30 mins by train to visit city Gmunden. Kind of close. Before I took this trip, I had done lots of research. To see what I can not miss while I am in the city. I do also ask some of my friends if they are interested in the trip. I guess because I told them I was trying to go for a hike, no one is actually interested. It is fine, I can do it myself. After packing some food and drinks, I hop on the train to Gmunden. Once you arrive at the Gmunden train station. Walk toward the lake. And you should arrive by the lake in 10-15 mins. 

The view of the street once you walking down toward the lake.

Once I arrive at the lake, the first thought is that "wow, it is actually no one around". There are just a bunch of pigeons and strong wind with lake water. Right, the wind comes with water. That is how strong it is. I guess because it is the weekend so all the stories are not open. Recommend you all, if the weather sucks and it is the weekend, do not go out. Stay at your place or go do some indoor activities. That is the best option for you. Cause, in such bad weather during the weekend. First, you can not get awesome pictures. Second, no food, drink and shop to go for. 

Pigeons by the lake to warm each other up.

After spending some time at the lake, it is time for me to go for the hike. I am excited about it because hope that the view is a little different from the ground. Walking for a while, it starts to snow. I know it is not really a good sign for someone who is going for a hike in the mountain. However, at that time, the only thing in my mind is, "WHAAAAAT, it is snowing!!!". I am one from a subtropical country, never saw snow in my entire life so far. I am so exciting it is snowing and just following my path, finishing the road, and getting to the top of the mountain. 

SNOWING!!!

Start to feel like a hike.

You can always find the sign if you're on the right path.

Once getting closer to the top of the mountain, it snows harder. But it is not like a storm or anything crazy, just compare to the ground, you can obviously see the snowflake. It is kind of nice for me. I got my hiking boots with me so the slippering ground isn't a problem. However, the low temperature is. Due to the low temperature, my smartphone shut down without any warning. I am shocked. The only thing I can do is to charge it with my power bank to see if I can restart it. Thank god, it works!! Because I use Google Maps on my way here. I will probably not survive without my phone working as usual. Be careful with the low temperature, because the phone itself might shut down and you can easily tell that the power of the phone drops way faster than it is on the ground or indoor. Always bring an extra charger with you while hiking. It may save your life. Excluding the accident, the view on the path is amazing!!

The snow is covering the surface of the pine tree.

 Not sure why it falls, but you can obviously tell the snow is thicker

A bench you can rest on the way to the top of the mountain.

Not the perfect weather, but the scenery is great.

My original plan is to visit a place called "Laudachsee". However, I found myself half an hour behind my schedule. Plus it is snowing and I miss calculate the daytime I have before getting here. It is the other thing I will like to remind you. Winter in Austria, the sun goes down around 4-5 in the evening. It doesn't last as long as you thought. Plus, the day I go for a hike is a cloudy day. It kind of shortens my time. So I decided to change my destination to a place I just Google called "Baumwipfelpfad Salzkammergut". It is an artificial architecture use as the lookout. Shape like a honeycomb made of wood and metal. After I arrive, the place is closed. Very disappointed. First I thought it is an open area for anyone at any time. Guess I am wrong. It only opens during summertime. Kind of pitty that I don't get the opportunity to have a peek on the top of the architecture. 

You can see the building from far away.

Closer look

This is how you feel about the architecture once you're right under it.

After spending some time around here. It is time to leave. Trying to get to the ground as soon as possible. After all, I didn't meet anyone on the pathway. Second, my phone does just shut down once without any warning and the sun is running down. Hope that I can use the shortest time back to the train station. Therefore, I google if there is any shortcut back. Luckily, there is a way 30 mins faster than the one I get here. I am down to go with the new path. At first, everything goes smoothly. The road is easy and comfortable to walk on. The best part is that the landscape is totally different from the one up here. It is closer to the mountain next to it, so that looks more spectacular. 

The landscape on my way down.

A different angle of the view on my way down to the lake.

The view is taking my breath away. However, the following path is also taking my breather away in a bad way. The road suddenly changes into a very steep path and full of rocks and mud. Somehow with snow on it. I guess everything now is reasonable. Because this path is 30 mins faster, so it may be steeper. After experiencing some terrifying and risky hike. I can now finally see the lake and its main road around. Which means I am super close to it. Here comes the other challenge. The pathway I am going is blocked by a gate made of metal. Here is the photo below. 

This is the gate, and I took it after I pass it. 

For me, it is like I can never pass it. The gate is just super high. The only chance left is to cross the fences around. However, there is a small river under it. Although it is only a small river, nothing can go really bad, it is around 0 degrees out there. Not really want to risk touching the water. In the end, I choose to go over the wooden fences to pass the road. And I am glad I am safe. On the way down, thinking about why there is a gate and it is closed. The only reasonable answer I can think of is the hiking road up there is still muddy and kind of dangerous. The government closes it for people not to get close to it. 

The story doesn't end after I cross the fences. Once I am next to the main road around Lake. I am Speechless. The reason is that I found out I am in someone's background. They do have a huge background. The gate and the fences I just cross it is probably not to warn the people not to get close to it. It may because it is a private area and not open. Thank god that no one is around, and the gate in front of the house is really low. It is around my knee. I just let myself out and close the gate myself. Just too crazy. After all this, I arrive at the Gmunden train station around 17:45. Not bad timing. 

Few things I would like to remind you 

if you're having a hike in Austria during winter

1. Bring a power bank with you | The weather up in the mountain can change at any second, and your phone may shut down without any warning and the power of the phone may drop rapidly without notice. 

2. Daytime you have | The sun goes down around 16-17 during winter in Austria, schedule your plan and the time you can use. 

3. Changing road | During the hike, you may have to deal with any situation. Sometimes you're running out of time, behind schedule, or whatever. If you're changing the original pathway, think twice before it or google it. You will never know what is in front. If you're not sure, heading back is always a good way and a safe way. 

4. Bring a flashlight | It is always a good habit to bring one of them with you while hiking. You will never know if you can make the road before sunset or not. it gonna be a great idea to have one in your bag. 

At the very end, hope you enjoy the article and don't make any of my mistakes during the hike

Be safe. PEACE

The view part of Gmunden city from the top of the mountain across it.