When people think of traveling to Europe most of the time Paris, Madrid, Rome, comes to mind. It’s exactly what I was thinking when I started planning for my trip and just like anyone who researches for their trip it’s normal to come across new information (such as how to save an extra buck, where to stay, what to eat), which is how I learned about Seefeld.
Seefeld is located in Innsbruck district in the Austrian state of Tyrol, a few hundred miles from its neighbouring European countries. But first, what’s in Seefeld? During winter it’s a ski town while during summer it becomes a hiking village. I went there last August, which is their summer, the sun was out and the day was warm while at night you get to have the cool air wafting through the mountains. The village sits on a plateau surrounded by mountains; from north to south you have Seefelder Jochbahn, Seefelder Spitze, and Härmelekopf
From Venice I took a train to Innsbruck and from there, supposedly, another short train ride to Seefeld. However, I think because it’s their off season, I got a bus transfer instead. And would you believe, while I was looking for the bus I met 2 Filipinas chatting at the station. I approached them just to get confirmation where I should take the bus and they went out of their way to walk with me. Filipino hospitality at its finest.
I stayed at a B & B managed by an elderly couple and it felt like staying at your grandparents house. The room had a queen sized bed (which I shared with a female companion), a private bath, and a view of the mountain. The place offered breakfast and what an amazing spread it was! They had the usual bread, sausage, butter, and jam plus coffee, juice, or tea. The owner even cooked eggs for us.
We left past lunch and without knowing how to get to the mountain we started asking questions. Note: English is not their native language nor is it their second although some are able to speak fragments of it, enough to tell us where to go. We rode a shuttle service that stopped at the base of Rosshütte only to find out it was walking distance to our inn. From the base we took the funicular up to the middle station where you can chill under the sun on lounge chairs while you sip coffee. From here you can go up to the top station on Seefelder Joch to get a view of the mountains of Olympiaregion or to Härmelekopf where you’ll see a view of the Inntal Valley.
So if you want to see a different side of Europe, if you want to hike without breaking the bank and without having the need to go to the Swiss Alps, give Seefeld a try. Who knows, you might end up having a good time.
Lift package = €26.00 (includes free coffee and cake at Roshütte & €2 for card deposit)
Accommodation = €88.80 (plus tax, 125.60 for two)
Food = €15 (aside from the breakfast at the inn we didn’t eat out anymore and bought groceries instead)
Transportation = €39 (from Venice to Innsbruck), 4 (Innsbruck to Seefeld)
Total = €168.80 (3 days and 2 nights)
it begins with a step 