Austria’s Best Attractions: Wipfelwanderweg (i.e. treetop hiking trail)

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Dear Alice,

Today I would like to recommend you a great place for hiking in your free time, and that is the “Wipfelwanderweg” (i.e. treetop hiking trail) in Rachau, Styria. This is an unforgettable hiking path with wonderful landscapes and panoramic views, where you can enjoy a beautiful day and where you can definitely relax and recharge your batteries with fresh and positive energy.

So here are the main points you should know about the magnificent “Wipfelwanderweg”:

  1. Location, physical condition and scenery: “Wipfelwanderweg” is located in Styria, 1 hour drive with the car from the city of Graz. It is not a long drive I would say, and most of the driving is on the highway, so it should be a smooth trip with no unexpected surprises. It is Europe’s highest treetop hiking trail, with a length of about 2.7 kilometers, and with precisely 1300 wooden stairs that you need to climb to get to the top of the hiking trail, where you can enjoy some panoramic views on the surrounding areas of Rachau: yes, the nature is definitely a gift, the scenery at the top of the “Wipfelwanderweg” will once again prove you this. Even if the hiking trail is easily accessible and also suitable for children, you still need to have a certain physical condition if you want to reach the top of the hiking trail.
  2. Entrance fee and duration:  You have to pay a symbolic entrance fee for the “Wipfelwanderweg”, which I found reasonable, since the hiking paths are very well maintained and clean. The entire hike will take you around 1,00-1,30 hours with all the necessary stops for taking pictures and enjoying the different stations on the hiking paths. I would say this is definitely a wonderful hiking trail suitable for children as well, since every station on the hike is easily accessible. Plus every station has its own both informative and interesting story.
  3. Weather: Even if the weather in Rachau is changing quite fast, I would still recommend you to finish the entire hike if you started it. Even if it will rain, there are a lot of stops on the hiking trail where you can stop and wait till the rain is over.
  4. Experience: Take your time and enjoy each station on the hiking path for as long as you feel like it. Try to relax and to enjoy the present moment.
  5. Gastronomy: After finishing the hiking path, you can have a traditional snack (i.e. regional Austrian specialty food) at the Austrian inn from the entrance of the “Wipfelwanderweg”. The food is delicious, I definitely recommend it!
  6. If you want to learn more: You can find more information on the “Wipfelwanderweg” at https://www.wipfelwanderweg.at/.

Here are some snapshots from the “Wipfelwanderweg”: yes indeed nature is a gift!

Insects Hotel at the “Wipfelwanderweg”

Yes the bees are as always very very hard-working!

Yes these are the first steps from the “Wipfelwanderweg”

The beginning of a beautiful journey! I loved these stairs, you really have to work the muscles!

During our hike to the “Wipfelwanderweg”, there were some showers (which were more noisy then wet if you had a rainy coat), still they scared most of the visitors, that decided to turn back, except us and some families with their children!

Listen to the forest!

Those feeling you have when the rainy showers are over and you are no longer wet during hiking!

Feeling good for having tried all the weights and realizing that I have to order heavier weights for my training at home!

Taking a sun bath and enjoying the sun, after the rainy showers were over!

Sincerely yours,
Madalina

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