Sarah was keen to climb Mont Jolly. So we climbed it again but this time walked on to the pretty village of Les Contamines-Montjoie. Stunning! A long steep hike.
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Showing posts with label Mountains. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mountains. Show all posts
Saturday, 27 July 2019
Friday, 26 July 2019
Train up Mont Blanc
We had a fantastic day going up the 100 year old MTB (Mt Blanc Tramway). We went to the top (Nid d'Aigle at 2362m) and had lunch near the glacier. We descended to the net station (Bellevue) and walked to Col de Voza (1663m) and did a loop walk to Bellevue. Stopped and had ice cream at Hotel Prarion which had amazing views over Mt Blanc.
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| Mt Blanc at Col de Voza |
Mont Joly 2025m
The boys walked to the top of Mount Jolly. Directly opposite is Mont Blanc at 4,600m!
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| View of Mont Blanc |
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Mountain biking from Lofer, Austria
Whilst in Lofer, Austria I did one of the best bike rides I have ever done. It did a complete circuit round a range of mountains. It was fascinating seeing the mountains from a variety of view points. The day was near perfect although hot at 32 degrees. The ride was quite long at 70 km but the climbing was all over by 40km. Again the free maps provided by the tourist office were flawless and helped make the 70km's fly by.
Web link
http://lofer.com/en-summer/mountain-biking/gps-mountainbiketours
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| View back towards Lofer at the around 25km |
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| Satellite Image of the route and the mountain range |
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| Ride profile |
Web link
http://lofer.com/en-summer/mountain-biking/gps-mountainbiketours
Thursday, 25 July 2013
Hike to Saarbrucker Hutte in the snowline!
We took the Silvretta Hochalpinestrasse (High Alpine Road) with a dizzying number of hairpin bends today up to Silvrettasee (2030m) where the GB Rowing team were busy doing altitude training.
Went on a walk from Vermuntsee (1743m) up to the Saarbrucker Hutte at 2538m and much to Alex and Charlie's delight found ourselves above the snow line with time to throw snow balls and make snow angels.
On the way home hurtled down the very fast Alpine roller coaster at Golm which was terrifically good fun.
Felt a bit hot and sticky after all that so time for a quick dip in the scenic pool at Braz and Wiener schnitzel and chips at the pool cafe!
Went on a walk from Vermuntsee (1743m) up to the Saarbrucker Hutte at 2538m and much to Alex and Charlie's delight found ourselves above the snow line with time to throw snow balls and make snow angels.
On the way home hurtled down the very fast Alpine roller coaster at Golm which was terrifically good fun.
Felt a bit hot and sticky after all that so time for a quick dip in the scenic pool at Braz and Wiener schnitzel and chips at the pool cafe!
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| Vermuntsee |
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| Charlie the mountain goat |
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| Just keep walking! |
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| Saarbrucker Hutte |
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| Golm Alpine Roller Coaster |
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| Gee, that was FAST! |
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
Climb Every Mountain!
Well we truly are in the 'Sound of Music' territory! We did a bit of yodelling, some 'Lonely Goatherd' and 'Edelweiss', (although struggled with some of the words) and dragged the kids up one of the local peaks, Grubhorndl (1747m). I have to confess we didn't start at the bottom but took the cable car part way up. (The boys took their bikes and parked them for a good downhill run after the walk... which was so good they took the cable car up and did it again!)
We said 'Hello' to a few friendly cows, admired the scenery and the many 'hasta la vista' points and bribed the kids with pastries from the local Konditorei. It was fantastic.
In the evening we loafed around Lofer (sorry!) where they have a street market every Tuesday. There was music, food, beer, bouncy castle, kids entertainment and face painting. All very agreeable!
We said 'Hello' to a few friendly cows, admired the scenery and the many 'hasta la vista' points and bribed the kids with pastries from the local Konditorei. It was fantastic.
In the evening we loafed around Lofer (sorry!) where they have a street market every Tuesday. There was music, food, beer, bouncy castle, kids entertainment and face painting. All very agreeable!
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| Our intrepid hikers |
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| Another peak bagged! |
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| Panorama from top of Grubhorndl |
Rodelbahn!
More adventures!
We took the cable-car up to the top of a mountain then came hurtling down on a summer sledging track (Rodelbahn). 1.6km of track, 61 curves and 2 jumps... 100% fun according to Alex.
In the afternoon Alex and Charlie went on an excursion to some local caves... Lamprechtshohle. They had a treasure hunt and found crystals, listened to local legends, made cement to make a castle and had a fire with jacket potatoes. This was another free event that was organised by the local tourism board. All these free activities are really fantastic and of high quality (they even have leaders who speak English.)
We took the cable-car up to the top of a mountain then came hurtling down on a summer sledging track (Rodelbahn). 1.6km of track, 61 curves and 2 jumps... 100% fun according to Alex.
In the afternoon Alex and Charlie went on an excursion to some local caves... Lamprechtshohle. They had a treasure hunt and found crystals, listened to local legends, made cement to make a castle and had a fire with jacket potatoes. This was another free event that was organised by the local tourism board. All these free activities are really fantastic and of high quality (they even have leaders who speak English.)
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| Up the cable-car |
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Family Mountain Bike Trip, Kayaks and Bergmuzik!
As Rog had such a great day cycling we decided we should have a family cycling outing. We have brought bikes for Alex and Charlie with us but not for Rog and I. The vast majority of Europeans camping have bikes with them (generally fitted on very well designed racks on the front or back of the caravan). We rented mountain bikes, one with a chariot for the girls as Charlie's legs seem to suddenly stop working about 100m from the campsite.
I found a route which looked interesting... maybe a bit ambitious. It was a 14km loop to the end of one of the neighbouring valleys but involved a 590m vertical climb.. Mmmmm... Cycling uphill with two (not insubstantial) girls in the chariot was a very good work out!!
Fortunately we were saved by finding a lovely cafe at the top which specialised in sausage in bread and ice-cream (and had a big box of Lego!!). There was a group of 'old-timers' in traditional costume and a lad playing the accordian.
All our efforts paid off with a fantastic down hill run (the chariot was flying... literally!) back to the camp-site.
We went into Lofer in the evening and it was the medal presentation of the ICF Wildwater Junior Canoeing World Championships. The racing had been taking place on the river in front of our caravan for the preceeding few days. We had met the Australian team at the bakery the day before!
Then to finish the day there was a concert of traditional Bergmusik (mountain music). It was really something as the band of about 30 musicians were all in traditional dress and paraded into the village square.
I found a route which looked interesting... maybe a bit ambitious. It was a 14km loop to the end of one of the neighbouring valleys but involved a 590m vertical climb.. Mmmmm... Cycling uphill with two (not insubstantial) girls in the chariot was a very good work out!!
Fortunately we were saved by finding a lovely cafe at the top which specialised in sausage in bread and ice-cream (and had a big box of Lego!!). There was a group of 'old-timers' in traditional costume and a lad playing the accordian.
All our efforts paid off with a fantastic down hill run (the chariot was flying... literally!) back to the camp-site.
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| The beautiful Alps around Lofer |
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| The girls in their chariot! |
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| Saved by the cafe |
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| The victorious Swiss team |
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| Bergmuzik in Lofer |
Two Mountains in one day
Today we went up the cable car from Lofer, near Salzburg in Austria. We used the excellent Salzberger Saalachtahl (Salzberg Card) which gave us unlimited free rides on the cable car. We were given the card free when we checked into Camp Grubhoff. It also gives discounts and free entry to a variety of other attractions in the area.
We split up at the top and Sarah and the kids went back down. I continued on my bike up another 7.5km (900 vertical metres) to Mount Schwarzeck (1565m). This is easily the hardest cycling I have ever done but the views at the top were worth it. It was a stunning clear day and there were mountains as far as the eye could see. There were a few walkers on top of the mountain but it was very quiet given it was mid July. I then cycled down 3.5 km (300m vertical) downhill. I climbed to the top of Mount Dietrichshorn (1542m) on foot which was a very steep climb at times by via ferreta. Then a 7.5 km (1000 vertical metres) adrenaline filled decent to the pretty village of Reith.
Austria has a reputation as an expensive country however we have found that it offers excellent value for money and a lot of things that in other countries (especially Italy) you would have to pay for are free. An example of this are the free detailed mountain-biking and hiking maps. There are well maintained walking and cycling paths with good signage that corresponds to the maps. 10/10 Austria!
We split up at the top and Sarah and the kids went back down. I continued on my bike up another 7.5km (900 vertical metres) to Mount Schwarzeck (1565m). This is easily the hardest cycling I have ever done but the views at the top were worth it. It was a stunning clear day and there were mountains as far as the eye could see. There were a few walkers on top of the mountain but it was very quiet given it was mid July. I then cycled down 3.5 km (300m vertical) downhill. I climbed to the top of Mount Dietrichshorn (1542m) on foot which was a very steep climb at times by via ferreta. Then a 7.5 km (1000 vertical metres) adrenaline filled decent to the pretty village of Reith.
Austria has a reputation as an expensive country however we have found that it offers excellent value for money and a lot of things that in other countries (especially Italy) you would have to pay for are free. An example of this are the free detailed mountain-biking and hiking maps. There are well maintained walking and cycling paths with good signage that corresponds to the maps. 10/10 Austria!
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| Planning the ride down |
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| Me at the top |
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| The route back to Lofer |
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| Camp Grubhoff (Our excellent campsite) |
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| Beehives on the mountain. |
Thursday, 30 May 2013
Albayzin, Granada
Went into Granada this morning to wander through the streets of the Albayzin district which is on the other side of the gorge opposite the Alhambra. It's the old Moorish district with narrow cobbled streets, white houses and spectacular views over to Alhambra.
Alex and Charlie really enjoyed getting some 'treasures' from the shops, especially having their names written in Arabic.
Had a fabulous meal at the restaurant at our campsite with spectacular views over the reservoir and mountains.
Alex and Charlie really enjoyed getting some 'treasures' from the shops, especially having their names written in Arabic.
Had a fabulous meal at the restaurant at our campsite with spectacular views over the reservoir and mountains.
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| Shops full of 'treasures' |
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| Alhambra with Sierra Nevada mountains in background |
Sledging in the Sierra Nevada!!
Went on a drive up into the mountains today, up incredible roads clinging to the sides of the mountains with more hairpin bends than you can shake a stick at.
There were incredible view over the valley and surrounding peaks. We drove up a bit further and who would have thought it but ended up in the snow with a bunch of kids skiing ad sledging. Despite completely inadequate attire (sundresses and crocs) we hired a sledge and off we went! Remarkably good fun despite very cold feet!!
There were incredible view over the valley and surrounding peaks. We drove up a bit further and who would have thought it but ended up in the snow with a bunch of kids skiing ad sledging. Despite completely inadequate attire (sundresses and crocs) we hired a sledge and off we went! Remarkably good fun despite very cold feet!!
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| Charlie and Alex |
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| Panorama looking down over the valley |
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| Mum and Alex get some air! |
Saturday, 25 May 2013
Hiking the Sendero Vereda de la Estrella
Found the trail this morning!!!
Did a fabulous hike on part of the well known Vereda de la Estrella trail. It followed a river up towards the snow capped peaks in the Sierra Nevada national park.
Truly magnificent scenery and the wild flowers were beautiful.
Alex and Charlie did very well as we ended up walking over 8.2km and climbed 600 metres!!
Did a fabulous hike on part of the well known Vereda de la Estrella trail. It followed a river up towards the snow capped peaks in the Sierra Nevada national park.
Truly magnificent scenery and the wild flowers were beautiful.
Alex and Charlie did very well as we ended up walking over 8.2km and climbed 600 metres!!
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| Snow capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada |
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| CM says the purple flowers give him indigestion |
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| Just keep walking!! |
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