Myra Waterfalls, Steinwand Gorge, Hohe Wand

We were still on our nature trail at our next stop: a small campsite in the countryside with wonderful views of the mountains, just outside the village of Pernitz. I found it hard to believe that we were only a stone’s throw from Vienna (well, 60 km, but still). Once again, we were in a walker’s paradise and the Dynamic Duo weren’t long about setting out on their first hike – through the Myrafälle, the Myra waterfalls.

This reminded me so much of our gorgeous gorge walks in Slovakia. Thanks to an ingenious series of wooden boardwalks, bridges, and stairs, the route leads alongside and across the 125m high falls. Talk about a dramatic backdrop to your walk!

After we emerged from the top of the waterfall were treated to breathtaking views of the Schneeberg mountain. And once the Wingless Wonders managed to puff their way to the top of the Hausstein rock, we were rewarded with stunning views back down the valley – from all angles.

Spurred on by this wonderful outing, the Oldies were out hiking again the very next day. I’m almost beginning to get a bit worried about them. Then again, knowing them, they’ll never keep up this pace! Starting out from the Gasthaus Jagasitz, they walked the 150m drop down to the start of the Steinwand Gorge. Once again, a series of boardwalks and stairs lead through the sheer stone faces of this narrow gorge. His Lordship had quite a stony face as he hoisted himself up this steep stairs!

 The grisly story of the Türkenloch, the Turkish Hole, close to the top of the ridge sent a shiver through my feathers. Legend has it that during the Turkish invasion, a group of locals took refuge in this cave. As they started to feel more secure, they took the risk of lighting a fire. And, yes, of course, the smoke gave them away and the poor unfortunates were massacred by the invaders.

I was so glad to get back out of that hole! And it was a breath of fresh air to continue the walk up to the top of the Almesbrunn mountain. At just over 1000m, it’s a mere bump by Austrian standards, but the views from the summit of Vienna on the one side, the ever-present Schneeberg mountain on the other, are simply unforgettable.

After a few local strolls over the following days, would you believe that the Oldies struck out again for another decent hike! This time, they made for the Hohe Wand, the imaginatively named approximately 900m high ridge with a sheer rock face: the High Wall. Well, that doesn’t sound too daunting, I thought. Until I realised that it really lives up to its name. That is a high wall! Thankfully, there’s no need to climb up – although I saw dozens doing exactly that, the mad things!

I was happy to see that the Oldies were starting out from the car park at the wildlife park, close to the top of the ridge.  His Lordship got more than he bargained for at the deer enclosure. Just as he was attempting to take a close up of this magnificent stag, the beast sneezed, spraying great globs of cervine snot all over the camera lens. Oh dear, that was a close-up that was a tad too close for comfort!

The walk was an easy one, through the forest and along the ridge, the highlight being the Skywalk, a steel viewing platform hanging out over the edge.

I was highly amused as I watched one young chap wearing a climbing harness as he approached the platform. This macho-looking guy had obviously just climbed up the rock face, but he was terrified out of his wits of stepping onto the Skywalk! Only for the fact that he obviously didn’t want to lose face in front of his fellow climbers, I don’t think he’d have overcome his fear. With a vice-like grip on the handrail, he even appeared to be enjoying the magnificent views.

Outstanding!

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