ADVENTURE. HIKING TRIP.
The Last Day of Hiking in South Tyrol
Trying to make the most of our last few hours in the mountains
We had slept like rocks. After two days of hiking for 9 hours each through rough terrain in the Alps, we had been exhausted. We were relieved it was finished but we were also sad it was time to say goodbye. Because we had an amazing time in the Dolomites.
After a delicious breakfast buffet, we packed up our things and squeezed back into the car. The plan for the day was to find somewhere on our way a gondola that would take us above the tree line, do a short hike with a view, eat something and return.
No hike where we had to descend for hours. Our legs weren’t ready for it.
The alpine town of Dobbiaco was covered in low-hanging fog when we left our guesthouse. We still had one stop in mind. A local cheese factory my parents had often stopped at before. They sell locally produced meat, cheeses, and of course great liqueurs.
We finally found a gondola that was open and jumped straight in.
Take us to the top, please.
Arriving at the summit station, we inspected the map and found a leisure hike leading to a mountain cottage with a restaurant. Perfect for us. We needed lunch anyway.
Our legs were still tired from the previous strenuous trip but it still felt good moving the muscles a bit.
We arrived at the restaurant when most people were finishing up their lunch. It soon started to drizzle but we had no desire to head inside. Instead, we opened up the umbrellas and remained outdoors in the fresh mountain air.
A bit of rain hasn’t hurt nobody yet.
My husband ordered fried eggs with roast potatoes and some ham. I had the traditional dish of “Kaiserschmarrn”, a sweet pancake meal.
I marveled at the view one last time knowing it was the last meal high up in the mountains. At the least the last one of this trip.
Then we continued our round trip up in altitude.
It was a broad hiking trail even for parents with toddlers in strollers doable. But we were alone. After all, it wasn’t the sunniest of all days.
On the mountain range far in the distance, we could spot a glacier. Maybe something for the next time. Visiting a glacier in the mountains. I don’t think my husband has ever been on one and it’s been a few years since I last walked on ice.
Despite the gray skies, I still enjoyed the landscape.
We descended back into the forest coming closer to the start of the hike again.
The summit station was within reach and we were back in the gondola descending into the valley. What a lovely short excursion.
We had a bit over an hour’s drive left to get to Innsbruck and our guesthouse near the airport. The following morning, my husband and I would be flying out again, so this was the last evening together with my parents.
We found a lovely restaurant with friendly waiters offering outstanding service. Their chefs were also not stepping short and delivered well-decorated and amazing-tasting meals.
All that was missing still was a shot of Zirbenschnaps, a locally brewed liqueur made of stone pine cones.
“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” — Anatole France
More about our hiking trip in South Tyrol:
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