TRAVEL. HIKING. THE ALPS.
Between Snowfields and Turquoise Blue Glacier Lakes
Hiking across mountain peaks and lush green pastures
The lake was shining crystal clear between the steep cliffs of the surrounding peaks. I could see to the ground. And yet, the snowfield leading into the water made it clear that this lake was cold. Freezing cold. And yet, I couldn't think of anything else but to jump in.
It was 9 am when we left the mountain cabin just as a German military group was reaching the ridge. The sign said 2 hours to the top of the peak which would be our highest point for the day.
The trail was rocky and steep. Now and then some snowfields appeared to our left. The first group of military guys overtook us soon, the second group never caught up with us. But we didn't worry about them. We stopped a lot to catch our breath and enjoy the breathtaking views all around us.
Flowers were blooming in the brightest colors. Even up here where just some grass was growing between the rocks. The last bushes we left behind us a while ago.
The sky was blue and the sun shining strong when we reached the peak. People gathered in different corners of the mountain relaxing after the strenuous summit.
We stopped at the cross, David wrote down in the book. Something about a Namibian that made it all the way up here. And then we looked for a nice spot to sit down, eat some snacks and enjoy the breathtaking view.
The mountain range behind the cottage we were staying in is one massive rocky wall. On the other side, we were looking at countless patches of snow. Snowfields were covering still big parts of the mountain ranges ahead of us.
I couldn't resist and walked around capturing all kinds of high alpine flowers blooming in between dancing butterflies. Yes, the butterflies got all the way up here.
We then got up again to walk down the mountain on the backside. We had a long circular trail in mind and still a long way to go.
We now had to cross several snowfields. Walking downhill, these stretches were slippery but fun. In one of the patches of snow, we spotted a chamois not far from us. Just lying there. In the snow.
We had to scramble across boulders and climb down some rocky stretches until the path leveled out and we hiked at one altitude around another peak.
It wasn't long after when we spotted the lake. While we had thought of making the lake our lunch spot, we never knew how pretty it was. We did see the lake on the map and the signs but I wouldn't have been surprised to find a muddy pond.
This was a crystal clear mountain lake. Just below 2,000 meters in altitude surrounded by ginormous mountain slopes with steep cliffs and a snow field leading right into the water.
Of course, many hikers had settled around the water's edge but we found our little picnic spot and a great way to enter the water.
I dropped my bag, got undressed up until my underwear and quickly walked into the lake. My body was in shock. Two steps into the freezing cold water and I ducked down to swim a bit. A few strokes toward the middle of the lake and then I turned around again. Cass, the dog of our friend now jumped into the water swimming toward me.
I got out of the water and felt hot. A heat rush was flowing through my body. Then I remembered I wanted to duck down underwater to get my hair wet as well. I turned around, got back in, dived under and swam again toward the middle.
The guys, still in shock at what I just did, knew they had to get in now too. I heard a little whining when they walked in, they didn't swim but also dipped down with their entire body.
Now, all of us refreshed and filled with adrenaline from the cold rush, sat at the edge of the lake, eating our lunch and enjoying the moment.
The lake was just such a hidden gem up here. Between Germany and Austria. Above the tree line and below the snow field.
Eventually, we had to get dressed again and pack up as we were only about halfway from our hike. We crossed more snowfields, all downhill, and walked another 400 meters in altitude down the mountain.
In a narrow gorge, overgrown with bushes and trees, we were stunned at how quickly the vegetation and landscapes changed up here.
Another hour later, we found ourselves wandering across a lush green and blooming mountain pasture. A few wooden huts were spread across the grass, just below the edge of the forest.
From here on the fun stopped. The challenging and interesting part of the trail ended and we got onto a gravel road where cars and e-bikes passed us.
Two hours later and almost 8 hours after we left our home base in the morning, we got back to the cottage. Exhausted but happy.
That night I crawled out of bed to capture the beauty of a calm night in the mountains. More about it in the next article...
And here is the video on our hiking adventure in the Alps:
This was day two of the hiking adventure. Read about how we got there:
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