After weeks of enjoying the city life in Vienna, some friends and I decided it was time to get some fresh air, and what better place to go than the Austrian alps!
We got up bright and early to hop on the train, then took a bus and a gondola lift to finally reach our destination. Thanks to Austria’s fantastic public transportation system, we could be on top of a mountain without ever getting in a car! After stopping for a moment to see the breathtaking views, we began our hike around the Raxplateau. Because our hike was situated on a large plateau we experienced incredible outlooks and viewpoints almost the entire way around.
Austria is famous for its many Hütten (mountain huts) which are perfect for a hiking pit stop. They serve traditional Austrian food, drinks, and dessert. As a vegetarian, finding a non-sausage option was surprisingly easy. I got Erbsensuppe (pea soup) and Heidelbeerstrudel (blueberry strudel), both of which were delicious. By the time we left the Hütte it was full with hikers and backpackers enjoying the views, refreshments, and the company.
After our break, it was time to take on the most difficult part of the hike up to the Preinerwand Gipfelkreuz. Despite the steep ascent, our group successfully made it to the top and decided the view was well worth it. We had a 360-degree view of the entire plateau and surrounding mountains. Gorgeous!
The fun didn’t end there, though. While waiting for our gondola back down the mountain, we stopped to grab some coffees and a Germknödel (a fluffy dumpling filled with plum jam and covered in vanilla cream). This was the perfect warm end to our sunny, but slightly chilly, day in the mountains.
Although it required some planning and commute time, there is nothing I would recommend more than breaking out of the city bubble and seeing nature during your time abroad. It's through these experiences that you can engage with different communities in your host country and learn even more about the local culture. Especially in Austria, adventure is only a train, bus, or gondola away!
Cassidy Macklin
Fall 2023
GW Exchange - Vienna University of Economics and Business
School of Business
Business Analytics and German Language & Literature Major