Austria - Bad Aussee (Styria)

Located in Styria region, Bad Aussee is said to be the geographical midpoint of Austria, this being symbolized by a stone monument in the centre of town. Bad Aussee is located at the confluence of the three sources of the Traun River in the Ausseerland region.

Bad Aussee is unique within Austria as its inhabitants wear Tracht, or traditional dress, on a daily basis.
Bad Aussee's other major yearly event is the Narzissenfest (Narcissus Festival). Every spring, on the last weekend in May, participants construct massive floral sculptures made from daffodil blossoms, and parade them through town on large floats, accompanied by regional folk music.

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Next,

images shot on July 2012:

 Center

 Center

 Center

 Traun River

 Bad Aussee Park

 Info Center

Basic Tracht,

as seen at Info Center

 Monument symbolizing center of Austria

 Mercedes Wheel

located at the Traun River confluence

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Austria - Hallstatt, Dachstein-Krippenstein (part two)

Hallstatt – Dachstein/Salzkammergut region was included in the exclusive list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1997. The committee justified its decision with the words: “The Alpine region of Hallstatt - Dachstein / Salzkammergut is an exceptional example of a natural landscape of unique beauty and particular scientific significance which also bears testimony to the ongoing human, scientific and cultural activity. This cultural landscape combines nature and culture in a harmonious and mutually supportive manner”.
The karstic zone formed by the glaciers and the salt fields of this area created the so called Hallstattian period of the Ice Age.

This post refers to the Krippenstein region (alt. 2108m, 5 Fingers, World Heritage spiral), Gjaidalm and to the Krippenstein - Obertraun ski slope (longest of Austria, black difficulty one = 11.5km, elevation 900 - 2000).

Dachstein-Krippenstein Winter Map

 

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What to see at the 2nd Dachstein Cable Car Station (Krippenstein Station, alt. 2000m):
- the karstic area around and the UNESCO glaciers-forming inscriptions;
- the karstic trail track (about 20km, very easy, no difficulty) on which you may see the Heilbronner Cross;
- the 5 Fingers;
- the World Heritage Spiral;
- the Mountain Church;
- the 3rd Cable Car station at Gjaidalm (very easy to get to, no reason to follow the cable car);
- panoramic view of Hoher Dachstein (alt. 3000m);

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Next, images shot on July 2012:

 Krippenstein Station

 Panoramic View of Krippenstain Station

 Trail track to 5 Fingers

 Trail track to 5 Fingers

 5 Fingers

 5 Fingers

... taking a curious panoramic view

5 Fingers

The curious panoramic view

 5 Fingers

Other panoramic view

 5 Fingers

View to Hallstatt and Halsstattersee

 5 Fingers

View to Obertraun and Bad Aussee

 UNESCO Inscriptions

 Sink hole (aka. doline)

 Panoramic view of Dachstein

took from the 5 Fingers track

Karstic area

View to Hoher Dachstein

 UNESCO inscriptions

 Snow in July

 Track to World Heritage Spiral

and Krippenstein Peak (alt. 2108m)

 World Heritage Spiral

 World Heritage Spiral

 World Heritage Spiral

 Krippenstein Peak (alt. 2108m)

 View from
World Heritage Spiral

 Karstic Area

 Karstic Area

Beginning of Krippenstein - Obertraun ski slope

 Karstic Area

 

Panoramic View

 Hoher Dachstein (alt. 3000m)

(zoomed view from Krippenstein)

 Hoher Dachstein Glacier Ski Area

(zoomed view from Krippenstein)

 Taking a zoomed view of Gjaidalm area

 Zoomed view of Gjaidalm area

 Krippenstein - Obertraun ski slope

 View to a nice peak around,
probably Sarstein Peak

 Krippenbrunn

 View of 5 Fingers from Krippenbrunn

 Krippenbrunn - view to Obertraun

  Krippenstein - Obertraun ski slope

(near Obertraun)

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