For more information and to buy this book click here ISBN: CICERONE. Guides for walkers, trekkers, mountaineers, climbers and cyclists

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2 For more information and to buy this book click here ISBN: CICERONE Guides for walkers, trekkers, mountaineers, climbers and cyclists

3 WALKING IN AUSTRIA by Kev Reynolds 2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY

4 MOUNTAIN SAFETY All mountain activities have their dangers, and the routes described in this book are no exception. Anyone who walks or climbs in the Alps should recognise this fact and take responsibility for themselves and their companions along the way. While the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information contained herein was correct when the guide went to press, they cannot accept responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by any person using this book. International Mountain Distress Signal (To be used in emergency only) Six blasts on a whistle (and flashes with a torch after dark) spaced evenly for one minute, followed by a minute s pause. Repeat until an answer is received. The response is three signals per minute followed by a minute s pause. The following signals are used to communicate with a helicopter in an emergency only: Help required: raise both arms above head to form a V Help not required: raise one arm above head, extend other arm downward Note i: mountain rescue can be very expensive be adequately insured Note ii: mountain rescue is free to members of the Austrian Alpine Club (see Appendix A) Emergency telephone number: 140 (mountain rescue)

5 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Kev Reynolds first led mountain holidays in Austria in 1967, since when he has returned to walk, trek and climb there on numerous occasions. A freelance author and photojournalist, he has written and illustrated brochures on walking in Austria for the Austrian National Tourist Office, produced publicity material for local tourist authorities there, and organised walking holidays for travel companies in several Austrian provinces. A member of the Alpine Club, Austrian Alpine Club, and the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild, Kev was the first honorary member of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML). He is author of more than 40 books, including guides to the Alps, Pyrenees and Himalaya, and several on walking in southern England. When not trekking or climbing in one of the world s great ranges, he lives among what he calls the Kentish Alps and during the winter months travels throughout Britain to share his enthusiasm for the high places in a variety of lectures. Check him out on Alpine titles by the same author, published by Cicerone Press: Alpine Points of View Walking in the Alps 100 Hut Walks in the Alps Alpine Pass Route Chamonix to Zermatt Tour of the Jungfrau Region Tour of Mont Blanc Tour of the Vanoise Tour of the Oisans Écrins National Park Walking in the Valais The Bernese Alps Walks in the Engadine Ticino Central Switzerland The Jura (with R Brian Evans)

6 Kev Reynolds 2009 First edition 2009 ISBN-13: A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. All photographs are by the author unless otherwise stated. Dedication For mountain lovers everywhere. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS In four decades of enjoyment of the Austrian Alps I have benefited from the kindness, generosity and hospitality of countless people. In particular I have Marian Telsnig (onetime Press Officer at the ANTO) to thank for giving me many opportunities to explore her mountains and introduce them to others. Subsequent staff of the ANTO (too many to mention by name) have also been extremely helpful, as were Elke Basler at the Carinthia Tourist Office, and Horst Kaschnig, mountain guide in Bad Eisenkappel, who showed me around the Karawanken range. The late Cecil Davies, author of the first Cicerone guide to Austria, was always generous with information and advice, whilst officials at the YHA, Inghams and Thomson Holidays enabled me at various times to earn money in Austria by doing what I love most. It was a pleasure and a privilege to lead literally scores of walkers on routes in these mountains, and I gained much from them all. As ever, I m in awe of the Cicerone team in Milnthorpe who have managed to create this guidebook from my skeleton manuscript with their skills and talents my thanks too for their continued friendship, which counts for much. And lastly, for all the days and trails, huts, camps and cols we ve shared in mountains around the world, my love and gratitude for my wife makes this her book as much as it is mine. Advice to Readers Readers are advised that while every effort is taken by the author to ensure the accuracy of this guidebook, changes can occur which may affect the contents. It is advisable to check locally on such things as transport, accommodation and shops but even rights of way can be altered. The publisher would welcome notes of any such changes. Front cover: Crossing the Keesbach below the Plauener Hut (Route 32)

7 CONTENTS Introduction...11 Austria s Alps...11 Mountain Flowers...17 Wildlife...20 Getting There...22 Transport within Austria...24 Accommodation...25 The Austrian Alpine Club...29 The Routes...30 Equipment Recommended Maps...36 Using this Guide...37 Routes 1 Rätikon Alps: Routes 1 7 Brand, Schruns, Tschagguns, Gargellen Silvretta Alps: Routes 8 14 St Gallenkirch, Gaschurn, Bielerhöhe, Galtür, Ischgl Ötztal Alps: Routes Feichten, Plangeross, Mandarfen, Längenfeld, Sölden, Obergurgl Stubai Alps: Routes Sölden, Längenfeld, Kühtai, Gries im Sellrain, Neustift Zillertal Alps: Routes Zell am Ziller, Mayrhofen, Finkenberg Kitzbüheler Alps: Routes Westendorf, Brixen, Kitzbühel, Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau, Saalbach, Hinterglemm, Zell am See Kaisergebirge: Routes Kufstein, Söll, Scheffau, Ellmau, Going, St Johann in Tirol Dachsteingebirge: Routes Filzmoos, Ramsau, Hallstatt

8 9 Hohe Tauern: Routes Badgastein, Kaprun, Matrei in Osttirol, Kals am Grossglockner Karawanken: Routes Ferlach, Bad Eisenkappel Appendix A Useful Addresses Appendix B Bibliography Appendix C Menu Items Appendix D German English Glossary APPENDIX E Index of Routes...424

9 Map Key road route railway national border ridge river/lake cable car funicular railway tunnel glacier town/village habitation peak refuge col woodland/forest direction arrow

10 End of extract from WALKING IN AUSTRIA For more information and to buy this book click here ISBN: CICERONE Guides for walkers, trekkers, mountaineers, climbers and cyclists

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