Schwaz, Austria

Pragser Wildsee, also known as Lago di Braies, lies in a mostly German-speaking area of northern Italy close to the border with Austria. This glacial blue lake is surrounded by towering mountains and thick evergreen forests, which can be experienced on the 2.2-mile loop trail or Alta Via 1 trail....

This short hike is a great mini tour when you want to get up high without a whole lot of effort but enjoy some stunning glacier views. The hike to the Hildersheimer Hut is a high altitude tour on the Stubai glacier, that if done during the summer months from the top station of the Schaufeljochbah...

Starting at the Hotel Lago Di Braies, you have the option to loop around the lake to hiker's left or right. To the left is the local dock, while to the right is a chapel and barn. Either way, you will end up where you started no longer than an hour and a half later. Once you are done with the loo...

Only an hour and a half from Bolzano, or an hour from Cortina d'Ampezzo, (my home base while in the Dolomites), Lago Di Braies is a must do half day trip. This popular destination is known for it's beautiful blue water and towering surrounding peaks and it does not disappoint. Most only see the p...

The Alta Via 1 is the definite trail through the Italian Dolomites, showcasing some of the most scenic terrain in all of the Alps. It begins at Lago di Braies and ends in the town Belluno, covering 150 kilometers and over 26,000' of elevation gain.Unlike backpacking or fastpacking in the United S...

The Heimgarten/Herzogstand trail is a famous one and there's a reason why: a great hike with outstanding views! Its close vicinity to the Kochelsee and Walchensee only make it even more attractive, since you can cool off with a swim in one of the lakes if you're done hiking and enjoying the views...

Santa Maddalena, also known as St. Magdalena, is a picturesque medieval church sequestered in the northern mountains of Italy. The Odle Mountain Group of the Dolomites tower above the surrounding valley and provide an incredible backdrop for images. To reach the best vantage point to photograph...

This was my first adventure during my visit to Germany.  The hike starts at the historic 1936 winter olympics venue, Olympic-Skistadion stadium.  The preserved stadium adorns the same sculptures and features found during the 1936 winter games.  After taking in the olympic history, follow the sign...

This small church sits in a cow pasture just outside of Puez-Geisler Nature Park. The church is next to a hotel, making parking and visiting a little easier. To get the best vantage point of the church and mountains, walk down the road and shoot through the fence. The mountains are fairly lumi...

Starting at the Olympic Ski Jump in Garmisch-Partenkirchen (708 m), walk toward the mountains along Wildenauer Strasse and follow signs to the Partnach Gorge (Partnachklamm). There is a fee of 3 Euros per person to enter the gorge, but it is definitely worth seeing (and hearing.) If you arrive at...

Starting from the parking lot, walk 500m to the trail head. The hike begins with a gravel path that winds up an initial climb and spills out onto a gravel road. The marked trail leads to a hut that serves as the entrance to the gorge. The hut serves light food, drinks, and has free bathrooms avai...

This trail starts out right where one of the paths lead up to Zugspitze (Germany's highest mountain) but we take the route via Riffelscharte down to Eibsee. The tour starts from Hammersbach (parking available) through the spectacular Höllentalklamm gorge. At the end of the gorge, you can rest, ea...

Seceda is one of the most famous (and most photographed) spots in all of the Italian Dolomites. This summer I decided to finally visit it to see if it was really worth the hype, and to see if there was a way to escape the worst of the crowds.Most tourists visit Seceda from Ortisei, taking the cab...

The stunning tour in the Dolomites can be done in the winter as a ski/splitboard tour or as a snowshoe tour. It's also possible to hike the same route in the summer. The tour starts next to the Hotel Dolomitenhof, just across from the main parking area. Stating at 1450m, the first section of the...

The Stuibenfall waterfall is the highest waterfall in the Tirol state of Austria, situated in the Ötztal valley. Not only is it an incredible sight to see by itself, but if you have experience climbing via ferrata (known as klettersteig in German), you can climb up the full waterwall. The Approac...

The famous Italy Dolomites are littered with numerous great hikes to showcase them, however, this trail is the cream of the crop. It will not disappoint. You have the option of hiking up to Rifugio Auronzo from Misurina, which is detailed out here. The other option that makes it easier if you're ...