Friday 15th May 2026 – driving across to Mayrhofer….

/ freedombird / Leave a comment

Still damp again this morning as we prepared to head off a bit further north and west to Mayrhofen. The main part of our journey was a series of mountain passes, firstly taking us over and through the Felbertauern Pass and Tunnel (Toll) where we again drove up into the magical snowy landscape and the accompanying drizzle turned into light snow at the highest points…

A stretch of valley road from Mittesall to the pretty village of Wald im Pinzgau with it’s tidy church and typical Austrian spire…

At this junction the sat nav had designs on us creeping up another mountain pass as a bit of a short cut however it quickly became apparent that it was not at all suitable for us as the road quickly reduced to single track and there was a sign prohibiting vehicles over 2.5t. We parked opposite the church and as the sat nav wasn’t being overly helpful I went and fortunately found some one with sufficient english to point me in the right direction, which did still involve crossing a high pass but at least it was suitable.

Off and up we went, passing Krimml Waterfall, Austria’s highest on the way….

Onwards and upwards (another toll) as we drove over Gerlos Pass and up into the snow again….

The last bit of the journey was event free and on the Autobahn and so we soon arrived in the village of Mayrhofer where it kindly stopped raining and allowed us to get our for a little wander….

Not the most interesting of villages, very geared up for either the winter snow or the summer hiking / cycling with a few bars and restaurants for when you are taking some down time from active outdoor pursuits, but pleasant enough for a nice walk.

We had originally thought to stay a couple of nights but having wandered around we have decided to move on again tomorrow – not least of all because it was a very expensive (for me) site. Even though listed as an ACSI site which should cost 27 euros for the night they insisted that they could only charge on this system for 2 people, making it a hefty 37 euros after environment tax of 4.50 and 2 lots of tourist tax at 3.6 euros – not impressed.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 84
  • Miles walked – 6
  • Tolls – £23.05
  • O/N – £32.04

Thursday 14th May 2026 – a wet and soggy day in Lienz….

/ freedombird / Leave a comment

We were so lucky with the weather yesterday as it was so much better and clearer than forecast – today however it is running true to form with the rain setting in during the night and staying with us most of the day. Sure enough the Grossglockner road is closed today.

By mid afternoon it was still a little damp but we needed to get out for a bit and set off northwards out of town to enjoy the greenery and spring flowers….

Shortly we began to catch glimpses of Schloss Bruck and followed the footpath to get a closer look….

We were able to get up to the front door, unfortunately nobody home, though it does open to the public in the summer months and had a little nosey….

The rain started to come down again, not heavily, but enough to scupper any plans of going any further – on the way back we marvelled at the low whispy clouds hugging the mountains behind the site….

Thoughts of the day:

  • Whilst walking I was just thinking about the difference in the properties in France and Italy where shabby chic with the emphasis on shabby exterior wise is so different to the perfectly smooth, precisely painted decorated and very angular properties in Austria….
  • The weather in Austria looks a little unsettled for the next few days which could potentially cause us issues on higher ground so we are going to start to make our way across to Switzerland and try our luck there.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles walked – 5
  • O/N – £26.11

Wenesday 13th May 2026 – driving the Grossglockner High Alpine Road Part 2…

/ freedombird / 4 Comments

Making the most of this wonderful afternoon up here high in the sky we work our way up and over the Hochter Pass – the highest point of this road being 2504m taking the opportunity to pull in just after the road tunnel at the top and capture the stunning scene in front of us and looking down on the road that we have climbed to get here….

Here the snow is banked up at the side of the road where the snow ploughs have kept the road clear and where they have started to pass through and clear fallen or collapsing snow banks – I have set myself a time limit of 5pm to start to make the return trip to ensure that I don’t get caught up in any freeze and I think the park closes around 6 anyway – since 4pm there has been an increase in the arrival of sports cars (the price goes down slightly at 4pm) and we played tag for awhile with these to soft top metallic Golfs….

A little further on, it wouldn’t be a proper road trip without at least one ‘Room with a View’….

By now we are three quarters of the way along this spectacular drive and it is now 5pm, I make the executive decision to turn around and start to make our way back because if we get caught at closing time at the far end the alternative route home is a massive detour….

Having found a nice wide parking area to turn in, we take a last wander and marvel at the sheer beauty of this snowy landscape and how amazing it is to be admiring all the 3000m + from such close quarters. One of my bucket list items is seeing a frozen waterfall now I know that this is not the trip for such a sight but I was still pretty impressed with these icicles clinging onto the rock face….

Of course there were a few more stops on the way down and just look at that road ahead….

What an amazing experience and day, I’m not sure what Tilly makes of the views or even appreciates them at all but she had plenty of opportunity to walk, have a little play in the snow and of course sniff out a couple of Marmots so a good day all round.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 85
  • Miles walked – 5
  • Entrance ticket – £40.46
  • O/N – £26.11

Wednesday 13th May 2026 – driving the Grossglockner High Alpine Road Part 1….

/ freedombird / Leave a comment

As a fine sunny day dawned we suffered a little indecision, I am quite keen to drive the Grossglockner High Alpine Road but after a long driving day yesterday had planned an easy day just wandering locally, however the weather forecast for the next few days is not good with snow likely on the higher ground which will inevitably mean that the Grossglocken road will be closed – so let’s go for it….

We drove the 20 or so miles from Lienz up to Heiligenblut and paid our entrance fee to drive the High Alpine Road to Grossglockner – starting with amazing views down the lush green valley before heading above the snow line…

The driving was challenging with multiple switchbacks constantly either climbing or dipping back down into the valleys but the road itself was good and plenty wide enough for two way traffic so not too daunting and fortunately plenty of lay-bys to pull off and really enjoy the views…

As we crept up higher and higher – reaching 2500m above sea level on several occasions – that is 2 and a half times the height of Snowdon! And still the 3000m + peaks soared above us. It certainly got colder, hovering around 1 or 2 degrees and the views more stunning as the snow deepened, with glimpses of frozen lakes….

At the top of Kaiser Franz Josefs Hohe (2369m) with views across to Grossglockner Peak only just visible – Austria’s highest mountain at 3798m and down onto the mostly frozen Sandersee.

Here we also spotted, well to be fair Tilly sniffed our their presence though she couldn’t see them, a couple of Marmots going about their business – I last saw these in the wild up in the mountains in Canada…

This section of the road ends here and we made our way back down to the main roadway and then continued our trip heading further north and higher still….

To be continued tomorrow….

Tuesday 12th May 2026 – leaving Italy behind and moving on to Austria….

/ freedombird / Leave a comment

Pretty wet overnight though drying up nicely for a final walk down to the beach as we bid a farewell to the stunning Italian coastline and head up into the Dolomite Mountains and eventually into Austria….

Whilst driving through the Italian Dolomites we pause for a while at the stunning Lago di Croce….

Take several quick photo stops at Via Valgrande, Cascata de Pissandalo and on the Passo Monte Croce….

A little further along the Passo Monte Croce we stop to get out and stretch our legs at the Sesto Ski resort (all closed for the season) and enjoy stepping into the snow (in very appropriate footwear) for the first time in a while….

From here it was downwards all the way into Lienz in Austria to our campsite for the next few nights – Camping Falken with 360 degree mountain views….

As it is such a beautiful (if a good few degrees cooler than we have become accustomed – 12 degrees as opposed to 20+) afternoon we take a slow wander down into Lienz for a mooch around….

In the short distance that we have travelled through Austria, we have spotted a few of these tall wooden poles with Christmas trees on the top in the villages – as far as I can google they are an advent feature symbolising Light and Life and decorated and lit up for Christmas – a little odd….

An absolutely stunning drive, interesting with lots of switchbacks and serious climbs and descents but so worth it.

Today’s stats:

  • Miles driven – 146
  • Miles walked – 5
  • Country No – 5
  • Fuel – £67.88
  • Groceries – £45.18
  • O/N – £26.11