The Austrian Alps
The original plan was to try ‘spring skiing’ in Austria. After conferring with some of the locals in the Pub, we decided to forego that experience for another time. The melt was on and decent skiing was several hours away. Instead, Rachael suggested we travel to Untersberg. Untersberg is the mountain that Rachael and her room mate Katie have used as their barometer against the elements while in Austria. The mountain looms over the valley surrounding Salzburg. On fair weather days you can see the top of the mountain, if you can not see the top, precipitation of one kind or another is imminent. You can see from the photo, the weather was clear and a good day to visit Untersberg.
The Austrian Alps located in the Southwest of Austria are spectacular. The Alps rise almost straight up from the Rositten Valley surrounding Salzburg. I lived in Northern California and was familiar with the Sierra-Nevada mountains which were quite different. The Yuba Valley north of Sacramento gives way to foothills which eventually climb into the Sierras.
The Road to Untersberg
Rachael had a plan. She knew there was a cable-car to the top and a bus to the cable-car! Traveling on public transportation in Salzburg was certainly a pleasure compared to adventures on SEPTA in and around Philadelphia! We had purchased a weekly transit pass in Salzburg for 10 Euro which was roughly $13.00. Compare that to a monthy Septa Trail pass which costs about $106 from Zone 2! Plus, in and around Salzburg your dog travels for free!! Imagine taking your dog on Septa...
During our visit to Salzburg we stayed in a Zimmer-Frei, which is the Austrian equivalent of a Bed and Breakfast. Our location at 70 Moosstrasse put us that much closer to Untersberg. We rose early and caught the 16 bus outside the house, heading for St. Leonhard at the base of the Untersbergbahn. Along the way, we passed through several small villages. It was Saturday and they were bustling with activity, spring had arrived and everyone was taking advantage of the weather. When we got to St. Leonhard we were just in time for the 11:00 a.m. trip to the top.
The top of Untersberg has a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. There were about 4 or 5 hardy souls on board the cable-car with backpacks, ski boots and skis. Obviously locals, they disappeared at the top. I saw some trails down the mountain but the snow stopped about three-quarters of the way down the mountain. There were trails out there which could not be observed from our overlook. Up on top there was plenty of snow of the soft, mushy oatmeal variety. Rachael and I headed for the top, slipping and finally falling on our butts. The road to the top actually had several snow-covered trails that went up and down.
Mountain Tales
There are many legends associated with the Untersberg mountains. The legends of giants and dwarves abound. One particular story having local character and flavor involves a lady who came to Salzburg to consult with Paracelsus a renowned Salzburg doctor. The doctor was uable to find a cure for the woman. Feeling sad on her way home she met a dwarf who promised to help her if she could remember his name in a year. This dwarf was named "Hanhnengickerl" and the story ends much the same as Grimm's fairy tale "Rumpelstillzchen".
My favorite is the legend of Emperor Charlesmagne. According to the story, the Emperor Charlesmagne never really died, but instead is sleeping in the Untersberg along with his loyal knights. He will awaken when the empire needs him the most and when the ravens no longer fly around the mountain's top. When this happens, Charlesmagne, "The Father of Europe" and his men will return to help his people. The ravens were alive and well the day we travelled to the top of Untersberg.
