August 14–15, 2023

Hochbärneck, Gaming, Lower Austria

Margit & Christian & friends

Well, some time had passed since our conquest of Mount Ötscher via its notorious and strenuous ascent "Rauher Kamm" (rough ridge) end of June, so some of us met again, this time to do something a little less exhausting and adventurous. Namely a beautiful and casual hike from Hochbärneck to Gaming, mostly downhill along the beautiful turquoise and cold Erlauf mountain river. We met up with our dear and long lasting friends Max and Sonja at the Hochbärneck hut on the evening before to have a traditional Brettljausn and some beer. After experiencing a gorgeous sunset with tremendous views over the many gentle hills of Margit's beloved Mostviertel we placed ourselves on the hut's green pastures to watch the fascinating August perseids meteor showers. After a good night's sleep in fresh mountain air we got up early, enjoyed breakfast and off we went for our hike which lead us down to Puchenstuben, the refreshing Treffling waterfalls, Ötscher Tormäuer and finally to Gaming. It was a hot day but since the trail followed the Erlauf river most of the time we had more opportunities than we were ever able to use to jump into those refreshing and appealingly turquoise waters. In Gaming we spoiled ourselves at local beer well to finally refresh us internally too! Picking up our car we finished up at Hochbärneck hut again to have dinner, stumbling upon an Alm-Kirtag (a traditional alpine hut fest with dance and music) which was fun to see and experience. Fully satisfied with our trip we eventually had to leave to get back home, right into another fantastic summer sunset.