1.5 routes today

For today we had planned 2 hiking routes, because we wanted to make up for the bad weather days and hike more kilometers. So we filled the picnic boxes and water bottles, put on our hiking clothes, strapped on our backpacks, and off we went.

We took the Versettlabahn once again all the way up to the mountain station. The sky was cloudy but rain-free, it was just a bit chilly up there on the mountain. So we started right away with the first planned tour. My app said it should be a stroller-friendly, easy circular route of 4km, with a stop at an alpine cabin. But after the first few meters, we realized something was not right. The wide path was fine for families with strollers, but it was constantly steep downhill! After a little more than half of the way, I realized that it's not a circular route, but we have to go all the way back up! That's definitely not child's play! I didn't record how many vertical meters it was, but there were quite a few. About 400 in half an hour or so... it's easier to imagine when you haven't seen it yourself. We decided not to continue the tour to the alpine cabin, but to start the return immediately and right away. Thank goodness we had our hiking poles, it made it a little easier. Still, we had to motivate ourselves to climb up the mountain, panting. Every 2nd or 3rd drainage ditch was very welcome for a short rest and to gather strength again. At a wonderful viewpoint, we spread out the picnic blanket in the grass and enjoyed a big sip of tea before the final steep uphill meters.

When we finally reached the top, we were quite hot (meaning a little sweaty) and still wondered about the app: it said it was EASY! Pah!

So we decided to tackle the 2nd route for today instead, from the mountain to the middle station. It went down serpentine-like on a gravel path, always with breathtaking views of the mountaintops, tiny villages, or paragliders. On a bench, we finally treated ourselves to a well-deserved picnic and enjoyed the peace and the view. As we continued on the path, it transformed into a narrower and narrower trail, initially along beautiful lilac-white flowered mountain meadows or blueberry bushes, and finally into a forest. Once again, we scrambled over roots and stones... that's a lot of fun! After about 6.5km, we arrived at the middle station of the Versettla cable car and comfortably descended into the valley, where the traditional Radler beer awaited us. After all, there are also open restaurants in summer, but the après-ski huts dominate the winter landscape.

I will take a VERY close look at tomorrow's route....

... MAYBE ... 😂

Stay cheerful

Tina & André