Alpine fun in Imst, Austria

Typical Tyrolean view

The drive from the Black Forest to the Tyrolean Alps was beautiful: lush, green, forested slopes gradually steepened to granite topped mountains which appeared to pierce the skies as they towered up around us.  

We were heading for a campsite near Imst. The site recommended by Ed and Kerry was in the grounds of an old castle which is now a typically kitsch Austrian hotel. With access to a swimming lake and a short drive from the town itself it had buckets of appeal. Despite my best efforts to thwart our plans (booking entirely the wrong campsite), we managed to find it by driving past the beautiful old castle next to a lake and pulling an abrupt u-turn.

We stayed for 4 nights and discovered some gems. Imst itself has a great walk up to the base station of the ski hill. The Rosengarten follows a canyon and you cross the icy clear stream several times (by bridge) and clamber up stairs, rocks and under cavernous overhangs. It took around 70mins which was about twice as fast as we'd thought. Otto raced up it running most of the way, whilst the rest of us dragged our lazy selves behind.

Racing up the Rosengarten, Imst

Unfortunately the hill was closed at the top as we were a little before the summer season weekday openings but we were able to return two days later (this time by car) to enjoy the chair lift up to the exhilarating alpine coaster.  It's like a cross between a bobsleigh run, a go-cart and a traditional rollercoaster. Children are allowed from 3 years old as long as they ride with an adult. Just as well as if Jess had gone on her own, she would not have hit the breaks once and she would surely have flown off the tracks. The ride takes you all the way back down the chairlift and winds through trees, dips and turns around the side of the mountain at what seems like impossible speeds to remain safely attached to the tracks. The longest of its kind in Europe, it was an experience not to be missed.

Alpine Coaster Imst

More sedate days were spent swimming in the beautiful lake which also made a great running trail for a few early morning jogs. Unfortunately no cycling for Mikey as the roads up were often gravel tracks of ridiculous gradients, not road biking territory yet.

After leaving a few DNA traces of blood and skin cells on the campsite road due to some chaotic scooter and balance bike races, it was time to leave for the Czech Republic and Lake Lipno.