I have driven to Austria from Germany many times, I have even biked to Austria from Germany twice, it only made sense the next step would be hiking to Austria from Germany. I don’t know where the bursts of energy came from for me, aside from the fact I have been diligent in keeping my carb intake balanced, but just a couple days after my long bike ride my roommate and I went for a long hike.
I had wanted to hike to the Hochthörle Hütte since I first heard about it last summer. I knew there was a trail along the base of Lake Eibsee so when my roommate asked me if I wanted to go for a hike on her day off I immediately knew where I wanted to go.
View of lake from above.
I assumed the trail (from where we live) would take us TO the lake, where we would then look for the trail up the mountain, however the trail we took never took us down to the lake. The trail instead continued to climb around the lake. I didn’t mind this, as I felt we were saving time avoiding going down just to go back up.
Everything was fine and dandy for the first few hours, it was a beautiful day and we were seeing a new view of the lake. Energy was good, spirits were high, and the views along the way were continually changing. My roommate MaryBeth is my favorite person to hike with, and I always feel relaxed when we’re together.
I felt relaxed 99% of the time of this hike, until the terrain changed.
Unexpectedly, with the flip of a switch, we hit the white blankets of death. I made the same mistake last April of thinking the snow would all be melted, but we’re in the middle of the Bavarian Alps…how could I make this same mistake twice? I assumed the elevation of this hike would be low enough to avoid any snow, but I was mistaken.
The snow wasn’t immobilizing, but it was deep in some spots. One wrong step sent us slipping knee deep into icy sharp snow. I now have a scar on my calf from this hike! We had already been hiking for around four hours, and were very close to the Hütte, so we didn’t dare turn around now just because of the snow.
Our spirits were still high, and we were determined to make it to the Hütte (by this time we were already in Austria, the Hütte is just on the other side of an invisible border.) The snow began to slow us down, and my map continued to say we were 15 minutes from our destination.
It said 15 minutes for close to 45 minutes. Something was off.
By this time it was nearing 1500, and we had been hiking for five hours. We were still doing great on daylight, but we were both loosing interest in finding the Hütte. We made it within 0.4 miles of the Hütte before calling it a day. My old brain would have told me how ridiculous I was for turning around within FOUR TENTHS of a mile, but my current brain was O-V-E-R I-T.
The remaining 0.4 miles were down slippery snow roads, and that’s when we knew it was time to call it. We sat where we stopped, ate a bit of food, and turned around for the ten miles back home. We left home around 1030, and arrived back around 2000. If MaryBeth and I hadn’t had a handful of other successful hikes, I’d say we were cursed to always attempt hikes we had to turn around on.
We hiked 20 miles into Austria and back, and managed to catch both golden hour and the sunset on the mountains, I’d call that a success.
Do I wish we had made it to the Hütte? Of course. Am I mad we didn’t? No. The day was full of laughs and great company, and our sore muscles reminded us of our crazy adventure into Austria…during a travel ban. What can I say, we’re rebels. 😉 (That, and I don’t think it counts as problematic when its in the mountains and you see zero other humans.)
That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.
Q: Have you ever gotten this close to a destination and decided to call it quits?
Blissfulbritt 
25 thoughts on “Hiking From Germany to Austria”
Sheree
Lovely photos and you had a great day out. Once I almost got to the top of Mont Ventoux but was obliged to turn around thanks to my beloved feeling unwell.
Brittany
Sometimes turning around is inevitable, you did the right thing.
Sheree
It was an easy decision since I’d already ridden up it twice before and have now done all three ascents.
Liz H
Such spectacular scenery!
Brittany
It blows me away on the daily!
Charles Dada
Hi. Well, the scenery was worth it!
Brittany
It absolutely was!
thechrisdotcom
I wanted to go further than last time on my mountain bike when I rode the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. I only made it just over half of what I did my first time. But obviously it’s been a long time and my body wasn’t having it. I was ready to turn around and go on with my day. So I didn’t feel defeated.
Brittany
Listening to your body is key! I’ve taken many days off of longer bike rides because I was doing far too much for my body.
omobtomtom
That’s quite the adventure!!
Brittany
I don’t think I’d do it twice, but I’m glad I did it!
omobtomtom
I know the feeling!
Hettie D.
Great views and a great story! You have so much of self- confidence and calm!
Brittany
It was quite an adventure. 🤪
Amy
You totally maintained social distancing during your entire hike, so… I think that means your travel into Austria was totally legal, right??? 😜😉 Golden hour makes me SO happy!! It hits this hill behind my house every evening, and it’s just so magical to see how that certain angle of light gives everything this beautiful golden glow… that then turns into a rosy glow at the end of the golden hour. If it’s SO pretty and serene here in suburbia, I can imagine it’s a million times better in the mountains!! ✨
Brittany
I think we totally followed the law! I’ve been avoiding biking to a nearby Austrian town, because that feels too public. But being in the woods? MEH!
Golden hour is so calming, it’s hands down my favorite part of the day.
Amy
YES!!! There’s just something about observing that golden hour light, where it feels like everything is going to be alright with the world. It’s crazy how it’s so soothing!
Pam
Pretty much my turn around is either when the body says enough you still have to make your way back or it becomes nightfall….. I’m very visual and darkness takes away some of my ability to move by visual landmarks. Awesome pictures, good day out 👍🏔🌞❤️🙋♀️
You are a Brave Warrior 👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣👣
Brittany
I can’t say I enjoy hiking in the dark! It has happened a few times, but not by choice. 🤪
Rosie
Stunning scenery! It’ll be a fair while before I can get out on a decent hike again, so I’ll be living vicariously through your blog posts 🙂
Brittany
I have plenty of scenery to post. Enough for the both of us! 🤪
travelling_han
Beautiful photos and stunning scenery. I can’t wait to be able to visit new places again when this is over 🙂
Brittany
I am so thankful I can bike to these places right now! I do look forward to seeing other new places once the world can breathe again.
aleenamaria111
Amazing pictures.
Brittany
Thank you!