Walking in Austria. Kev Reynolds

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      Graukogel from the Palfnerscharte (Hohe Tauern, Route 83)

      Kompass Wanderkarte sheets have huts, hotels, and paths (with numbers) clearly marked in red for ease of identification. Be warned that some of the older maps were produced on poor-quality paper which tears easily, especially on the folds, and you may find that a single sheet will not last a full week. More recently-published sheets are slightly more weatherproof. A slim booklet (in German) accompanies these maps, with local information and brief walk suggestions.

      Freytag & Berndt produce sheets of a similar quality to those of Kompass, this time with huts being ringed. The accompanying booklets are perhaps less useful than those of Kompass, although the latest ones include GPS information.

      Mayr maps are produced in Innsbruck and, once more, are of similar quality to F&B and Kompass sheets. The paper tears easily and wears quickly at the folds, but the associated booklets give rather more detail with their walk suggestions than those of Kompass.

      Specific sheets recommended for routes in this guide are outlined at the head of each walk description, but please note that in some instances names on maps do not match those that appear on local signposts. And the altitude measurements shown on some sheets may be at variance with those quoted on maps produced by different publishers.

Using this Guide

      In this guide we begin in the west of Austria and work eastwards, exploring some of the finest valleys and their neighbouring mountains from resort bases, visiting mountain huts, lakes and viewpoints, and sampling a few multi-day hut tours.

      Each mountain group is treated to a separate chapter, for which a map is provided as a locator. While individual walks are marked on the basic maps produced especially for this book, you will need a detailed topographical map to follow the route as described. The introduction to each chapter includes a note of specific map requirements, with details of the various villages or valley resorts, their access, facilities, tourist offices, huts and so on, followed by a number of walks based in the district. All the walks are listed in Appendix E at the back of this book, while an explanation of the grading system is found above.

      Distances and heights are quoted throughout in kilometres and metres. This information is sourced directly from the recommended map where possible, but because of countless zigzags on some routes, it has been necessary to resort to estimates in terms of actual distance walked. Likewise times quoted for each walk are approximations only. They refer to actual walking time and make no allowances for rest stops, picnic breaks or interruptions for photography – such stops can add considerably (25 to 50 per cent) to the overall time you’re away from base, so it is important to bear this in mind when planning your day’s activity. Although such times are given as an aid to planning they are, of course, subjective, and each walker will have his or her own pace which may or may not coincide with those quoted. By comparing your times with those given here, you should soon gain a reasonable idea of the difference and be able to compensate accordingly.

      Abbreviations are used sparingly, but some have been adopted through necessity. While most should be easily understood, the following list is given for clarification: