Autumn with the family in Austria

Up with the Natrunbahn

'Here we go!' Full of enthusiasm we set off with a gondola from the Natrunbahn up the mountain. Yesterday we arrived in Maria Alm, a village in the Hochkönig area, which is located in the Salzburgerland. At our accommodation we all received a Hochkönig card. With this we have free access to various lifts and can do various activities for free or at a discount. The Natrunbahn takes us up to the mountain station at 1168 metres. From there we start the 'forest slide walk'. This is yet another way to get down the mountain. Slides between 35 and 50 metres long will help us quickly get a long way down. The walking route runs through the forest. I smell the scent of pine forest. In the distance we see the first long tube. The slide is called Flash Gordon and is 48 metres long. The children clamber up, cheering. My husband and I do not want to miss this fun and quickly follow. We whizz down at a good speed.

Sigmund Thun Gorge

About a forty-minute drive from Maria Alm lies Kaprun. In the winter I have been skiing here a lot, but the area also has a lot to offer in the fall. Today we visit the Sigmund Thun gorge, which is on the way to the Kaprun ski area. The gorge is 'only' 320 meters long, but looks spectacular. Long ago the gorge was eroded by glacial ice. The result is a narrow, high gorge through which crystal clear water flows and waterfalls crash down. It is humid in the gorge. The children keep it cozy with their hoods pulled tightly around their heads. A system of wooden stairs and walkways runs into the gorge. We quickly climb up. We go further and further into the gorge. I feel small when I think of the enormous forces to which these rocks are exposed. How mighty to walk through here.

Hiking to the Hochmaisalm

For a few days I have been looking up. Halfway up the mountains there is already snow. We love it. Today I have chosen a walk that will definitely take us to some piles of snow. With 'bottom-sliding sledges' and ski pants on we set off. From Hinterthal we walk to the Hochmaisalm. The path winds us upwards. The higher we get, the more beautiful the view. And then there are the first patches of snow! The children cheer and a snowball fight immediately breaks out. When we arrive at the Hochmaisalm, we are tired from the battle and from the tough climb up. We enjoy the hot chocolate. With new energy it is time to use the sledges. A little above the Hochmaisalm a white section of slope awaits us. Sledges on and go!

Triefen Waterfall

I love hiking. My family knows that too. Sometimes I have to wrap hiking up nicely to get everyone excited to come along. Today I want to hike to the Triefen waterfall. This hike is only about four kilometers, so it is very doable with children. There is a geocache at the waterfall. This is my trump card for today. My children always enjoy looking for a geocache. With good energy we set off. I feel the warmth of the sun on my face. Around me I see trees with red, yellow, orange and green leaves. When I look further, I see the high mountain peaks of the Hochkönig massif and I hear the babbling of the river. After about two kilometers we reach the waterfall. The place enchants me. No enormous force of water here, but lots of small drops that drip off mossy rocks at a rapid pace. We can even get behind this curtain of water. That gives a magical feeling. And yes, there is always a child who sees the fun in just standing completely in the beam. We laugh out loud and walk back with two dry children and one dripping child. This was an autumn to never forget.

For more family adventures, take a look at our collection page . Or be surprised by our Austria blogs !