avatarIlam Padmanabhan

Summary

The author shares their personal experiences and highlights the breathtaking beauty of the Austrian and German Alps, emphasizing the region's majestic mountains, serene lakes, and historical significance.

Abstract

The article titled "The Best Places I’ve Been To —Austrian/German Alps!" is a firsthand account of the author's travels through the Alps mountain range, detailing their visits to Salzburg, Konigsee, Zell Am See, and Kehlstein, among other locations. The author expresses a deep appreciation for the natural splendor of the Alps, the tranquility found atop its peaks, and the variety of activities available, such as hiking, skiing, and sightseeing. They also reflect on the historical context of places like the Eagle's Nest and the impact of World War II on the region. The narrative is punctuated with stunning personal photographs and a call to subscribe for more travel stories and insights.

Opinions

  • The author believes that mountains are a symbol of beauty and strength and may be nature's masterpiece.
  • They hold the Alps in high regard, considering them one of the best places to connect with nature and find peace.
  • The author is impressed by the preservation efforts at Konigsee, noting the use of electric boats to minimize environmental impact.
  • They find historical significance in the Kehlstein trail and Eagle's Nest, which was once a retreat for Adolf Hitler.
  • The author is critical of war, reflecting on the contrast between the beauty of the landscape and the human conflicts that have occurred there.
  • They are enthusiastic about the skiing opportunities in the Stubai Valley, recommending it for winter sports enthusiasts.
  • The author is eager to share more travel experiences, inviting readers to follow their work and subscribe for updates.

The Best Places I’ve Been To —Austrian/German Alps!

Nature is an artist, and mountains maybe its masterpiece!

View from Eagle’s Nest — Photo: Ilam Padmanabhan

All pictures are from the author, no Pexels/Unspalsh on this one!

Mountains — There’s something about the soaring peaks and rocky slopes that just takes your breath away. For as long as humans have been around, mountains have served as a symbol of beauty and strength.

When you are on the top of a mountain, peace and tranquility find their way to reach you magically. It’s as if all your worries and troubles are left behind in the valley below. Mountains are one of the best places to find yourself and connect with nature.

As you climb up a mountain, your view of the world changes. The respect for nature increases and a sense of wonder takes over.

Nature is an artist, and mountains maybe its masterpiece. It’s a debate, so I’ll stick to ‘maybe’.

Whether you’re into hiking, camping, skiing, or just taking in the view, mountains offer something for everyone. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the best places I’ve been to in the Alps mountain range.

The Alps are a mountain range that runs through Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. They’re home to some of the most beautiful scenery (and popular ski resorts) in the world. If you’re looking for a stunning mountain range to visit, the Alps should be at the top of your list!

I’ve been lucky enough to visit the Austrian and German parts of the Alps during summer, autumn and winter. We’ll look at some of the highlights!

Salzburg area: ‘Sound of Music’ was made here. The views are simply stunning. The green meadows and towering peaks never seem to end. This is a great place to start your hike in the Austrian Alps, and there are plenty of trails that will take you up high into the mountains.

Salzburg: A cozy town in the foothills of Bavarian Alps — stunning beauty!

If you’re looking for some city vibes while being surrounded by stunning mountains, Salzburg is the place for you. This city is located in the heart of the Austrian Alps and offers plenty of activities for outdoorsy types. You can go hiking, biking, skiing or just take a walk around the charming old town. The area around Salzburg is full of history, culture and natural beauty, making it one of my favorite places in the world.

We enjoyed a lovely lunch in the open sun with a fantastic view of the surroundings. Mountains basking in sunlight is something you don’t want to stop watching.

Lunch at Salzburg: How about that view for your lunch!

Lakes around the area are stunning! Konigsee and Zell Am see are my favorites.

Konigsee is one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. It’s located in the Bavarian Alps on the German side, surrounded by snow-capped peaks. The emerald green water is a sight to behold. I especially liked that they run only electric boats in the lake, so Climate -1, Pollution-0.

Konigsee — Sun has a interesting way to get through the clouds! The result is magic!
Cute little church in the middle of Konigsee!
Konigsee — view from the top!

Zell Am See: This lake is located in the Salzburg region of Austria and is another beauty. The turquoise waters are surrounded by towering peaks, making it a perfect spot for a hike or picnic. I spent an afternoon here just taking in the views and it was one of the highlights of my trip. One could also take the ski lift and get a view from the top of the mountain (which we, of course, did).

Zell Am See: Is that a view or what, how about sipping your drink there!

Kehlstein: This popular hiking trail is famous for where it ends -Eagle’s Nest. It’s a peak once used as a retreat by Adolf Hitler and offers some of the best views in all of Germany/Austria. The signal on the mobile kept switching between Austrian/German providers as we climbed.

The hike to get there is no joke, it’s a challenge, but it’s well worth it when you reach the top.

I couldn’t help but think about history as I hiked through the trail. You could either hike a little further to get to the top. Alternatively, you could take the tunnel and climb up with an elevator (built during WW2). If you’re interested in history and hiking, Kehlstein is a must-do!

Tunnel built during the WW2 times — there is an elevator at the end taking you to Eagle’s Nest

I felt sad for the people who must have lived during the times of WW2. Instead of enjoying the mesmerizing views, they were constantly worried about who would bomb them. Wars — damn, one of humankind’s worst inventions.

Stubai Valley: This valley is located in the Austrian Tirol and is a winter wonderland. If you’re looking for some of the best skiing in Europe, look no further. The valley is surrounded by towering peaks and offers plenty of trails for all levels of skiers.

Endless view of snow capped peaks! — Stubai can mesmerize and keep you there!

I had a blast skiing here. This was my first serious ski vacation. I did four blue slopes and figured maybe blue slopes need to be shaded better — I’m ready only for ‘Light Blue.’ I’m definitely going there once the Corona situation gets better.

Look at the mini mountains, is that really a Blue slope?

I could go on and on, but will leave you with these pictures instead!

I’ll write about my hike into the deep Himalayas in a subsequent post. That was one hell of an adventure in the most majestic mountain range in the world, you don’t want to miss it.

I would like to tag Warren Patterson for this story about backing his way into Europe, looking forward to the next parts -https://readmedium.com/my-big-ass-backpacking-trip-around-europe-part-1-d00052b69d6

If you came this far, you might also enjoy reading about my trips in Norway and Iceland!

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Mountains
Alps
Nature
Austria
Germany
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