Sometimes there are only a few kilometres as the crow flies between the most diverse worlds. I float in the hot thermal water of the Gastein Alpentherme, the water vapour rises around us into the cloudy sky of a rainy summer's day. The cold air tingles on my face. Several sauna sessions are already behind us. From herbal infusions to beer infusions, we have pampered our bodies, exhausted from biking and travelling, drunk from various healing springs and dozed in waterbeds. Here in the outdoor area of the thermal spa, we now immerse ourselves in the famous Gastein thermal water, which is said to be particularly beneficial to health. The highlight, the view of the surrounding mountains, was priceless even back then. Here you can relax and gaze at the mountain panorama shrouded in clouds.
Hospitality on the mountain & in the valley
Ten hours earlier in the day. The alarm clock rings, darkness beats down on us outside the window and yet we look forward to the upcoming tour like little children. Sunrise high above Gastein, that's the plan we worked out the night before with the weather forecast and map study. There is still room in the rucksack for a coffee machine and provisions. Almost two hours later, we are waiting at the Wetterkreuz for the sun and, above all, the hiss of fresh coffee. Again and again, the cloud layer breaks open and lets the morning light shine through, but the hole doesn't open up right in front of the sun. Too bad, it's still beautiful up here and above all wonderfully quiet over the valley. Nevertheless, we happily set off on our descent. While I'm still swearing about the inhuman hour, when we could have been lying comfortably in bed, the Biberalm appears around the next bend and attracts us with its bustling activity.
Hustle and bustle at the alpine hut
It's just after six o'clock and bikers are probably the last thing the mountain people would have expected. We, on the other hand, are surprised at how busy the place already is. The dairyman and the landlord are very cheerful and show us the cheese room, where the precious wheels of cheese, the fruit of sweaty labour, are maturing. Compared to their hard work, our early morning photo shoot suddenly looks pretty soft. Even if technical progress has simplified some of the work steps on the alpine pasture, many things are still done here as they were centuries ago. Especially on the so-called cheese or alpine dairy farms, where the milk from the cows kept there is processed directly, the amount of work for their operators is enormous. Milking twice a day, producing butter and cheese by hand, caring for the cattle and all the other work around the house completely fill the day. Suddenly, tiredness is half as bad - spurred on by so much energy, the descent becomes a highlight after all. With these diverse impressions, we head to the richly laid breakfast table and can start the day with Gastein hospitality.
You can read more here: to the complete Gastein story
MTB tours in Gastein
A range of mountain bike tours around Dorfgastein, Hofgastein and Bad Gastein including GPS data to download can be found here: MTB tours Gastein Valley
Mountain biking in Gastein - the most important information
Info & Booking:
Gasteinertal Tourismus GmbH
Tauernplatz 1
A-5630 Bad Hofgastein
T: +43 6432 3393-0
info@gastein.com
www.gastein.com
Guided MTB tours
Bike Gastein, Radsport Andrea Eckschlager, Bad Hofgastein
T: +43 650 99 84 119
info@bike-gastein.at
www.bike-gastein.at
Team-works.eu GMBH
Am Griespark 2
5630 Bad Hofgastein
T: +43 650 35 10 710
www.team-works.eu
Bike shops
Biking Gastein
Daily incl. home delivery
T: +43 676 45 810 35
www.bike-world.at
Hervis Bad Gastein
T: +43 6434 6424
www.hervis.at
Sport Fleiss
T: +43 6434 46 55-32
www.sport-fleiss.at
Sport | Fashion | Rent, Sport Egger
T: +43 6432 2097 02
www.sport-egger.com
Tip: The Gastein Card
The "Gastein Card" provides guests with an attractive added-value card. The card includes a variety of included and discounted services throughout the valley. Information at www.card.gastein.com.
