Tiroleans think nothing of crossing the border by foot to shop and today we’re taking a walk around the Glock.
All of which I found on my Top Flight for Schools hiking trip out to the Austrian Alps.
When our guide did just that for a quick hop into Bavaria.
While the rest of us were gasping for breath having climbed up (some of us on our hands and knees).
To the gated border crossing.
Open and hut case
Our Alpine friends, of course, think nothing of hiking from one mountain post to another.
Which is why huts and diners are set up along the way.
And watering holes where water is the most in-demand commodity.
And they charge a pretty Euro or five for the luxury, more a necessity, of a glass of spring water.
Of course these being the Alps then there are new hiking routes being carved out all the time.
All with wonderfully expressive names.
In peak form
And today we bring you The Glocknerkrone.
The Glocknerkrone in East Tirol traverses the most impressive peaks of the Glockner’s southern flanks on a six-stage tour.
Hikers come into close contact with the mountain landscape.
And the Hohe Tauern National Park with its unspoilt peaks.
Over a route length of 65.6kms and elevation differences of 3,737 metres.
The tour, classified as moderately difficult, starts in Matrei in East Tirol and leads in six stages to Kals am Großglockner.
Overnight stays are made in some of Kals’ finest mountain huts.
Such as the Sudetendeutsche Hut, Kalser Tauernhaus or the Luckner-Hut. www.glocknerkrone.at
They tell us that in addition to the Edelweißwiese and the Spinevitrol power place, extensive alpine pastures await you.
Jewels in the sun
The five jewels of the Glocknerkrone include:
The Sudetendeutsche Hütte , the Kalser Tauernhaus , the Lucknerhütte , the Glorerhütte and the Alpengasthof Glödis Refugium .
And on the Höhenweg Glocknerweg you will also meet:
The Äußere Steiner Alm , theBergeralm , the Stüdlhütte and the Salmhütte , where you can strengthen yourself during your hike.
So go out, take a walk around the Glock and climb every Austrian mountain.
And maybe carve out a new track for yourself.