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Tag Archives: Hiking

Hiking Around Salzburg, Austria – A Fit and Fun Getaway

06 Thursday Feb 2014

Posted by Adriana Falco in Exercising, Health and Wellness, Healthy Getaway, Hiking

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Alps, Austria, Berchtesgaden Alps, Eisriesenwelt Werfen, Gaisberg, Gerlospass, Hiking, Hohe Tauern National Park, Limestone Alps, Mount Kehlstien, Salzburg, Salzkammergut, Untersberg

week90aIt’s a hiker’s dream. Fields that are alive with absolutely breathtaking endless peaks and valleys in and around enchanting Salzburg, Austria. Known worldwide as once the home of the Von Trapp family and the birthplace to musically talented Mozart, Salzburg is a must visit city! You will fall in love with the charming city as much as you will fall in love with the magnificent countryside. Dreamy spires, rolling green hills, and romantic picturesque gardens, the city and its surrounding landscape is loved by all who spend time here, with millions of visitors each year from around the world.

I had to the opportunity to be one of those millions and traveled to Salzburg to visit my daughter who was studying abroad at Universität Salzburg. I was really making the trip because she was there and had little idea of what I would be seeing or experiencing other than this was where the beloved “The Sound of Music” was filmed. But as soon as my taxi driver drove into the center of town and I got a first hand look, it was love at first sight with Salzburg as well.

The fourth-largest city in Austria, Salzburg sits along the Salzach River and is a very picturesque European town dotted with renowned baroque architecture, quaint shops and boutique, hidden away restaurants, and wonderful historic attractions. The people are warm and engaging and travel mostly around time by foot, bike, or boat. All of this in addition to being right by the Alps and only a few miles from the German (Bavarian) border, which makes exploring both country’s trails and mountainsides very easy to accomplish.

While my daughter attended class during the day, I would venture out to the nearby hills and mountains to hike to my heart’s content. There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails around Salzburg; too many to cover in just one trip. Many are reachable by public transportation or tour arrangements so no worries if you didn’t rent a car. Closest are the “house mountains” Untersberg and Gaisberg, both spectacular with well-groomed and well-marked trails.

If you only have one day to hike while in Salzburg, then Untersberg of the Berchtesgaden Alps is your mountain. With an elevation of 6,473 feet, it’s less than 10 miles from Salzburg and is reachable by bus. To get there, take Bus No. 25 from Hauptbanhof, Salzburg’s main railway station, to St. Leonhard. Once there, you can pick from several trails to lead you to the mountaintop or take a cable car for €21, an eight and a half minute journey. Once at the top, you will experience spectacular mountain-peak views and a wonderful birds-eye view of stunning Rositten Valley.

Gaisberg is just east of Salzburg and is part of the Limestone Alps with elevation of 4,226 feet. It’s easily identified by the massive antenna standing on the peak. Bus No. 151 from the Mirabellplatz Square will get you to the base, then catch a second bus through the district of Gnigl to reach the popular Gaisberg Trail. Follow this path to a viewing bridge where you have a clear look of the surrounding farmlands, Untersberg, and Salzburg.

And there are more hiking musts! Also close by is the Gerlospass, a mountain pass in the Alps between the Oberpinzgau region and Zillertal Valley. Once you reach the top, an elevation of 4,921 feet, you will see amazing views of parts of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The park itself has 700 square miles and home to Austria’s highest mountain, the Grossglockner at a whopping 12,460 feet! West of Salzburg is the Salzkammergut Lake District, a hiker’s paradise that sprawls from Salzburg along the Austrian Alpine Foreland and the Northern Limestone Alps to the peaks of the Dachstein Mountains. From the village of Fuschl, hike around Lake Fuschlsee or ascend Mont Schober for most beautiful views of the Alps. And just an hour south of Salzburg and right over the German boarder, is Königssee (King’s Lake) for a wonderful hike plus the Obersalzberg uplands in Berchtesgaden National Park. Looming cliffs and soaring mountains enclose the area.

Other nearby popular destinations to hike include: Mount Kehlstien, home to the renowned Eagle’s Nest; the Hochkogel mountain in the Tennengebirge section of the Alps, home to the Eisriesenwelt Werfen, the world’s large limestone ice cave; and for the diehard hiker, the Salzburger Almenweg, a one-of-a kind 217-mile-long trek through the mountain region of Pongau rwith over 120 alpine huts to stay overnight along your journey.

The choices are endless when it comes to hiking in Salzburg. All you just need to do is get on a plane and get there to enjoy!

Getting There: Salzburg has it’s own airport, Salzburg W.A. Mozart International Airport (SZG), the second largest international airport in Austria, located only two miles from the center of town. Once you land, your best bet is to take a taxi to your hotel. Another option is the bus from the airport, which is excellent in Salzburg, but can be lengthy in time with all the stops. Another option is to fly into Munich, Germany and take the Euro Rail to the Salzburg Hauptbahnhof Train Station or rent a car and drive 89 miles to Salzburg.

Accommodations: Best Western Hotel Elefant, Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 4, Altstadt, Salzburg, Austria reception@elefant.at www.elefant.at Phone: +43 0662 84 33 97. I loved staying here! This is a very quaint, boutique-like hotel housed in a historic 700-year-old building in the heart of old Salzburg and directly off Getreidegasse, a street known for shopping and fine dining. It’s also easy walking distance to all of Salzburg’s major attractions. The non-smoking hotel offers state-of-the art accommodations, free Internet access, and a complimentary full breakfast that is simply delicious. Adjoining the hotel is one of their two restaurants in town, Restaurant Elefant, serving both Austrian and international specialties, fine wines, and the famous Salzburg Stiegl beer.

Nearby Activities: Sightseeing! Pick up a Salzburg Card from the Tourist Information Center and hop around to numerous attractions for just one price. Public transportation is also included! Admissions include Festung Hohensalzburg (Salzburg Fortress), Hellbrunn Palace and Trick Fountains, Marionette Museum, Mozart’s Birthplace and Residency, Museum of Modern Art, Museum of Natural History and Technology, Salzach Cruise, Salzburg Zoo, plus many more attractions. Or book a day trip through Viator (coach bus) or Bob’s Special Tours (mini van). I toured with both and enjoyed both equally. There are several excursions to choose from the salt mines and Bavarian Mountains to the Sound of Music Tour and Hohenwerfen Fortress, and many more.

Special Note: After a great day of hiking, dine at L’Osteria located right in the heart of the “new town” section Salzburg. It’s also just a stone’s throw from the Bridge of Locks of Love. Hands down now one of my favorite pizza places in town. We ate there a couple times. With a setting full of energy and good music flowing, this chic must-eat-at Italian restaurant serves timeless Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. Delicious platters include oversized pizzas baked in hearth oven, homemade pasta specialties, fresh crisp salads, and Tiramisu, Panna Cotta or Crema di Fragola for dessert. Fast and professional waiters serve. Make advance reservations as it’s always packed! L’Osteria Pizza E Pasta, Dreifaltigkeitsgasse 10, Salzburg 5020, Austria. salzburg@losteria.eu http://www.losteria.de Phone: +43 0662 87 06 58 10.

If you do have the chance to travel and hike in Salzburg, or already have, please leave a note below with more recommendations for all us to learn. My trip to Salzburg was so amazing and memorable; I know I will definitely return. And with this next trip, I will try some of your suggested posts!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

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Back to Nature at Ricketts Glenn – A Fit and Fun Getaway

26 Wednesday Sep 2012

Posted by Adriana Falco in Cardio, Healthy Getaway, Hiking

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Camping, Hiking, nature, Travel, waterfalls

One of my favorite types of hike is one that includes water views – creeks, ponds, lakes and best of all, waterfalls. So when close friends of mine started discussing a possible trip to Ricketts Glen State Park last summer, I immediately jumped at the chance to go!

What hiker wouldn’t want to explore the National Natural Landmark known best for its old growth timber and 22 wild, free-flowing waterfalls, including the 94-foot Ganoga Falls, along Kitchen Creek which flows down the Allegheny Front escarpment from the Allegheny Plateau to the Ridge and Valley Appalachians? Yes, Ricketts Glen State Park is one of the most scenic areas in Pennsylvania, a breathtaking park comprised of 13,050 acres in Luzerne, Sullivan and Columbia counties.

Before grabbing your gear, packing up and heading out to Ricketts Glen, you should first reserve a campsite as far in advance as possible if you are planning to stay in the park. Both tent and trailer sites are available plus cabins with the waterfront locations along the 245-acre Lake Jean the first to go. The park also offers all the necessary amenities needed for your home away from home – such as fire pits, picnic tables, warm showers, rest rooms, and wash tubs to clean your dishes – all including in your nightly cost. Please be aware that Ricketts Glen has limited cell phone coverage which actually can be an added plus!

Now that you are there, venture out to explore 26 miles of trails, from fairly level to very steep. My favorite is the 7.2 mile Falls Trail which takes you by 22 beautiful waterfalls ranging in heights from 11 feet to 94 feet. While the terrain is rocky and can be slippery as you descend and ascend the winding path, the scenery is well worth the endeavor! Be certain to wear proper footwear and bring your hydration pack.Other hiking trails include the Beach Trail, Cherry Run Trail, Evergreen Trail, Ganoga View Trail, Grand View Trail, Highland Trail, Mountain Springs Trail, Old Beaver Dam Road Trail, Old Bulldozer Road Trail, and the Bear Walk Trail.

After hiking, you can relax on the 600-foot beach on Lake Jean or take a swim. Pack a bite to eat or grab a snack from the food and refreshment concession. Rent a canoe, kayak, row boat, and paddle boat at the beach if you didn’t bring your own. Fishing is allowed with panfish, trout and bass ready to be caught. There is also a 12.5-mile equine trail for those who bring their horse.

What is especially nice are the nights at Ricketts Glen. All who have traveled together join together to grill a scrumptious meal as they gather around the fire pit and give a toast to the enjoyable day!

Getting out into the woods and being close to nature is a wonderful experience. Turning off your cell while camping under the stars, gliding on a lake, and hiking by breathtaking waterfalls is rejuvenating. If the opportunity arises, I recommend taking action for a fit and fun getaway.

Accommodations:There are 120 tent and trailer campsites, some available year-round – all inexpensive. The campground features hot showers, flush toilets, shaded sites, gravel parking spurs and a sanitary dump station if you are planning to pitch a tent. Six campsites are ADA accessible. Pets are permitted on several designated sites. Book early to get a pet site or waterfront with lake access!

Onsite Activities: Camping, hiking, kayaking/canoeing, boating (electric motors only), beach access, swimming, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and park activities such as scavenger hunts plus presentations and shows  in the onsite amphitheatre.

Nearby Activities:  SUMMER – Adventure courses, air tours, boating, ATVs, bird watching, canoeing, casino, concerts, cycling, fairs and festivals, fishing, golf, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, kayaking, miniature golf, mountain biking, museums, paintball, race car experience, racetracks, river rafting, rock climbing, sailing, shooting range, shopping, skydiving, spas, tennis, train tours, trolley tours, tubing, water parks, waterskiing, wildlife viewing, winery tours and zip-lining. WINTER – Casino, concerts, cross-country skiing, dog sledding, downhill skiing, horse drawn sleigh rides, horseback riding, ice climbing, ice fishing, ice skating, museums, shopping, snowboarding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and spas.

Getting There:Your best bet is driving. The park is 30 miles north of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania on PA 487 in Benton; a three hour drive from Philadelphia or New York City and a four hour drive from Pittsburgh. Flying in from across the country? Car rentals are readily available at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International and Williamsport Regional Airports, each an hour from the park, and Lehigh Valley International and University Park Airports, both a two hour drive away.

Special Note: A must place to eat breakfast is the Red Rooster Pancake House and Family Restaurant, only a short drive from the park. With a homey atmosphere, everything on the menu is very reasonably priced, service is great, and the menu is extensive. Try the pumpkin nut pancakes. They are out of this world!

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

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Go Take a Hike

17 Monday Oct 2011

Posted by Adriana Falco in Cardio, Exercising, Hiking

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Tags

Appalachian Mountain, Hawk Mountain, Hiking, Outdoor, Pennsylvania, Pinnacle

The other week I went hiking with a group of friends. Saturday was to be a gorgeous day, so we headed up to Hawk Mountain, a mountain ridge that is part of the Blue Mountain Ridge in the Appalachian Mountain chain, located in central-eastern Pennsylvania. There are 13,000 acres of protected private and public land at Hawk Mountain, including a 2,600-acre sanctuary for hawks, eagles, and falcons. There are also nine trails of varying difficulty available to hikers.

This hike was no walk in the park. It turned out to be a vigorous workout with a lot of climbing up and along rocky paths to which I was told is known as “rock scrambling,” a method of ascending rocky faces and ridges. This was also no easy feat for someone like me who has a fear of heights; I just kept my eyes glued to the ground underneath my feet and did not look down, even when we reached the Pinnacle. On top of the treacherous terrain, my hiking boots didn’t seem to give enough flex for my ankles and I was way too overdressed. Regardless, I persevered and was a good sport about not knowing what I was getting myself into by hiking on this particular mountain range.

Hiking is wonderful cardio workout that is typically very social and tends to be across scenic paths with wonderful backdrops. It can exert almost every muscle in your body, including your legs, arms, hands, hips, butt, abdominals, shoulders and neck. Hiking is also great for the mind as the great outdoors is a great opportunity to clear your head and nourish your imagination.

As an aerobic exercise, hiking can improve your stamina as well as your cardio-respiratory and muscular fitness levels. It can also lower your risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and triglycerides, and lesson the threat of colon and breast cancer, and possibly lung and endometrial cancer. It’s also great for weight control or loss. For a person weighing 150 pounds, hiking can burn up to 370 calories an hour.

Hiking helps to increases your bone density and strength, and slows the rate of calcium loss, thus strengthening the bones and decreasing their susceptibility to break. This prevents one from bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and arthritis.

What’s also great about hiking is it’s inexpensive. Just invest in a good pair of hiking shoes and perhaps a pair of zip-off hiking pants – changing the pants into shorts in an instant. Bring along a hat, sunglasses and sun block, and off you go! Some choose to invest in a hiking stick. Others select a long sturdy stick (a trophy from one of their hikes) to help guide them along. Many go without.

What’s another wonderful fact about taking a hike is that when you return, you will feel better – mentally and physically – than when you left. Your body will feel better, your head will be clearer, and any stress level will have decreased. This will only make you want to hike again!

So take a break from the gym. Grab a friend or two, pack along your water bottle, and head to a nearby park offering  hiking trails and discover the amazing benefits that hiking has to offer.

Be Fit. Be Strong. Be Well.
Adriana

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