3 Days in the Mürztal
How lovely to get out of the city and see some wonderful landscapes, even though they should be snow-covered now.
What a nice surprise this was - only 2 hours drive from Vienna and such a pleasant area for hiking. No crowds or tourists or skiers, though that is possibly due to zero snow. We had expected to be snow-shoe hiking but could have easily left them at home.
Day 1 was a short afternoon hike spoilt only by the treacherous ice on the forestry track in the valley. Day 2 saw some very heavy rain but was still pleasant. Day 3 was wonderful with a superb alm walk on the top of Wildalpe with views to the snow-capped Ötscher and other hills to the West. The ice on the valley floor had all melted by now so the walk back was easy.
Freinerhof was the perfect hotel with very reasonable prices: €98 for the double room with €14.90 extra for half board (a pretty good 3 course meal). There is a brand new Wellness building a few metres away with a Finnish and a Bio sauna, jacuzzi and cold plunge pool.
