Monday, 27th June 2011
| Walk: | Fulpmes, Grübenhof, Ennerhof, Kartnallhof, Forchach, Milders, Neustift, Kampl, Fulpmes | ||
| Start Point: | Donnerhof Hotel | Distance: | 13 miles |
| Ascent: | 1,855 feet | Descent: | 1,855 feet |
| Time: | 8 hours | ||
| Weather: | A hot day with full sun and blue skies | ||
| Comments: |
Orientation day from the hotel with a walk along the Stubaital to an alm at Kartnell for lunch time then on to Milders and Neustift. We walked along west side of valley on good tracks and country roads with frequent stops along the way to re-group and take in the views. There was time to discuss the various places we could see and identify the mountains and cols we would be climbing during the holiday. After descending to Milders and walking into Neustift the two groups took different routes back to the hotel. The D/D+ group had the option of catching the bus or taking the riverside path. The C/C+ group, which I was with, returned along the east side of the valley on an elevated path. This led through trees and small hamlets, passing a group of carved animals along the way. |
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Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Looks like it's going to be a good day as we gather outside the hotel
Leaving Fulpmes . . .
we make our way along the side of the valley, passing an impressive covered menage on the way
Looking over the trees to mountain summits . . .
the zoom picks out a cable car
A pause for a drink - it's pretty hot on our first day . . .
but haymaking by hand is even hotter work
Our first glimpse of the glacier at the head of the Stubai valley
A paraglider heads over the trees
Mountains, meadows . . .
and houses - a typical Austrian scene
Across the valley we identify Elferspitze - our target in a few days' time
Looking over Neustift to the glacier . . .
and zooming in on the church
Using the zoom again makes this paraglider seem closer than he is . . .
and before long he has landed just outside Neustift
Time for more views . . .
and nearby . . .
are lots of orchids
Looking further down the Stubai Valley - which we travel along a number of times during the holiday
Another orchid - actually it's two, one directly behind the other . . .
and a close up shows the delicate patterns
How on earth do they gather the hay on these slopes?
It looks like all the family . . .
lend a hand
Almost down now . . .
and time for another pause - under the street lamp!
This building seems to be connected with the water supply . . .
as depicted on its wall
Is this our transport back to the hotel?
Or are we catching the bus?
No, we have further to walk first . . .
so we replenish our water at this fountain
More haymaking on the slopes
The paragliders are out in force - I counted 20 in this area
Walking through Neustift we call in to look at the church
with its impressive ceiling
The statues are carried through the streets when they have parades
Everything is really ornate . . .
including the beautifully kept church yard
A last view of the church . . .
as we leave to head along the opposite side of the valley
Lots of water in this stream . . .
making its way down to the river
Someone has been busy . . .
being very creative . . .
with big lumps of wood!