To start this article I’d like to explain how the trip from the last assessable part of the highest mountain Austria’s down to the closest villages within the national park “Hohe Tauern”.
Austria, or in particular the western and southern parts of Austria is filled with mountains and beautiful nature. Well as a fact the biggest parts of Austria is beautiful nature but when you’re up on a mountain, you can see it far better than standing in a plane field. I think you get the point here.
My Mothers adventure:
My mother likes hiking, climbing and the silence that comes with it. So she decided to walk the “Alpen-Adria trail” 
Starting at Austria’s national park next to the “Großglockner” – Austria’s highest mountain with 3798m down to the Adriatic sea. Since she is working she’s hiking the way in parts, one week at the time. Continuing at the alpine cabin or hut she quit for the next week. Since she finished all different kind of trails she happened to start this trail a few days ago.
I, for myself, happen to like hiking and climbing mountains as well decided to join her, I just for the first day since I have some issues with my knees. Nothing too serious I guess but I did a lot of climbing within the lasts months and may have crossed my limits from time to time.
Long story short: We took the car to the starting point, the “Pasterze” which is right next to the biggest glacier within the whole country.
The Start
As we started we could barely see the glacier and the surrounding mountains due to the thick cloud layer right above our starting point. We started climbing down the first steep rocks right to the two lakes, filled with water from the eternal ice. Cold, fresh air filled our lungs as we climbed closer and closer to the water, where the lake was as flat as a mirror, cold, silent.
On our way down we spotted some good signs for the day of our journey. A Thistle, an open thistle to be precise.
When those spiked flowers unfold at the top you know that the weather is going to be good for the next time, if they are closed there is some nasty weather coming along.
Another tip for the Alpine region and other mountains as well: Trails are marked with the colors of the country you are in but if there is a spot where you cannot find a sign of any trail look out for those things:
Stapled stones or “Stanmandalan” as we call it in proper Austrian-German will guide you the way as well. There are masses of them in certain areas and some say that you have to add one stone per trip to such a construct or start your own one.
As we moved further down the sky started to clear up, giving us a look at our starting position.
Surrounding the first lake we noticed tiny, constant trickles of crystal clear water coming out and down the mountains filling the lake. We started to hear flowing water, getting louder with each step but the lake remained as flat as water can possibly be.
The source of the noise was a stunning river/waterfall which started right below a bridge, we had to cross. From flat, silent and calm to loud and powerful within a few meters. 
We should see this river again and again during our trip down.
As we surrounded the next rocky hill the landscape opened up to an amazing view over the second lake, deep enough to support vegetation in form of trees and grass. There was it, on a big rock, where our group of three decided to take out the first break and have some of the food. 
Surrounding the lake we were rewarded with stunning views as the sky cleared.
Looking back we could also see the “Großglockner”, now almost free of clouds. A stunning look I can assure you. And in one moment you realize what a single, tiny human you are which leaves you speechless for what seems to be an eternity. 
Following the path down, next to the occasional cow and barbed wire there is not much of civilization to see here. You can absolutely feel that the landscape is almost pristine.
If you are still not convinced take that as a proof: Metric ****tons of butterflies. And those fragile little creatures only show up when nature is healthy. I was not really able to catch them with my camera in flight but they were also sitting on a random stick, chilling with their friends.
Getting the first glimpse of our destination, looking over the valley where the village of “Heiligenblut” lays. 
Our trip down led us to some Alpine cabins with and without habitats. Another nice fact about those cabins: You should call them and let them know if you plan to sleep there for a night. But even when they do not know that you are coming, they always have to provide you with food and shelter for the night. So if there is no more spare bed to sleep they will arrange something to sleep, even if that means you end up sleeping on top of a dining table. However, do not take that as a granted fact in other countries, I’ve made different experiences in other countries. Yes, France, I’m looking at you!
Well at this point my knees started to hurt while climbing down next to a waterfall so I decided to take hiking sticks which meant relief for my knees but fewer pictures as I’d have to stop for a minute taking a picture and I did not want to slow my mothers progress down on the first day of the trip. In hindsight, i should have taken those from the first step but I think my kind of male-ego got the upper hand of me. Pinky promise to all of you: I will get some sticks which are flexible enough to take quick pictures the next time.
Ending up on green grass with a look back to the waterfall we took another break at a little chapel. In this particular spot, there was also a spring which promised to be beneficial to your eyes. My eyes work perfect but I drank two bottles of the coldest, clearest water and refilled my bottle for the next part down the mountain. 
More and more people passing our way as we got closer to the village. Most of them hiking tourists with the occasional farmer. The cabins are now more frequent and are getting bigger, wooden signs at the front promising homemade food with a stunning view.
As we arrive in “Heiligenblut” we take a short look at the church and have a very short farewell since my mothers path that day is not finished yet. 
Ending an absolute stunning trip through Austria’s national park with a beautiful look back to the biggest mountain of Austria and the thought: One day.
EU - Adventure 
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