Tractor trip into the Alps

t the recommendation of the local tourist office, we headed 10 km out of Seefeld to the village of Scharnitz. We were booked on an excursion into the stunning Karwendel mountains by a tractor. Yes, you read it right. No fancy 4×4 nor luxurious horse carriage, but on a trailer drawn by an agricultural tractor. Don’t worry, we didn’t have to sit in the hay, nor share the trailer with pigs. It was nicely furnished with benches and cushiness and had a roof. However, I was curious how a tractor trip in the Alps would turn out.

Noisy and cosy

When the 20 guests had boarded the tractor-trailer we headed of. First crawling slowly through the village and then a bit faster along the gravel roads through the woods. Despite the noise from the tractor, sitting face-to-face next to each other gives you ample opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers. As soon as we started to climb the views became better and better. After one-hour Josef, the driver and guide, made a short stop to show us the impressive Gleirschklamm Gorge. While the group was snapping pictures, Josef had time to tell us a little bit about the area we were visiting.

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Into the Alps

Steadily making our way deeper into the valley, the terrain around us got more and more rugged. Out of the forest rose mighty mountains creating a picture-perfect backdrop. I like slow trips because it allows you to enjoy the scenery and take photographs without stress. Nonetheless, we still went faster than hikers and were only occasionally passed by people on bicycles. After travelling about an hour-and-half, a gorgeous valley opened up around us. We were in the middle of the mighty Alps. Ringing cowbells accompanied singing birds. Yes, we had arrived at the Möslalm for our 2-3-hour break before returning to Scharnitz.

Local delicatessen

At Möslalm you could either hang out, get some local food or just enjoy the fresh alpine air. Or, you could hike around the valley and up into the mountains, as long as you came back before your ride left. Thus, choosing both options seemed like a good idea. First I had a nice lunch, which for me always is Kaiserschmarrn in Austria. Which literal means “Emperor’s mess”, but is a sort of shredded pancake, served with jam. Very popular among the locals and if made well a delicious sweet comfort dish. When you are at it, tasting local delicatessen, drink Almdudler with your Kaiserschmarrn. The fizzy drink made of herbs is a perfect fit.

Hikers paradise

We still had about an hour to do some exploring and went along the gravel road that continued into the valley. What a stunning landscape! The yellow signs that you find all over Austria, showing you the marked hiking routes were also plentiful here. Easy, hard, short or long, you can pick or choose from a range of hikes suited to most people. Nevertheless, I love that the tractor trip allows people not in great shape for that any other reason cannot to hike on foot, while still can enjoy the spectacular scenery. On such a trip, you can bring small children as well. If you hike on foot from Scharnitz to Möslalm it will take you about three hours one way.

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