Hiking: The Austrian Alpenverein

The Austrian Mountaineering Association (Alpenverein) is an outdoors association which runs a vast network of mountain huts (reduced rates for members. It also offers a huge range of guided hikes, climbing courses, kids’ activities, summer camps etc.

Safety in the mountains

The Alpenverein provides an advice leaflet for mountain hiking in English: https://www.alpenverein.at/.../Mountain-Hiking-CF-2020-en... Mountain safety page of the Alpenverein (leading to information booklets in English for other sports): https://www.alpenverein.at/.../ber.../sicheramberg/index.php Overall, my advice (based on a lifetime of hiking experience - thanks Mum and Dad!) is:

• don't ONLY rely on your phone for navigation (in Austria routes are generally very well signposted but bring a paper map/copy of your route and compass too)

• learn how to use a map and compass (again, thanks Dad!). There are a lot of YouTube videos, such as https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jlt8g7_yw4

• check the weather forecast (Bergfex weather app or the Alpenverein website: https://www.alpenverein.at/portal/wetter/index.php

• wear sensible shoes. Light walking boots/shoes or at least trainers with a good grip.

• bring enough water (and cash for food/drinks in mountain huts)

• tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return

• don't overdo it; know your limits. If you're inexperienced, ask for advice in this group

• bring suncream (you will get sunburnt even on a cloudy day in the mountains); a few plasters for blisters; an extra layer in case of emergency

• take your litter home (and don't follow others by leaving tissues - or worse - behind bushes - if you need to, dig a hole!!!)

• make sure your tick vaccinations (Zecken Impfung) are up-to-date.

ÖTK: Österreichischer Touristenklub

I have to admit that in 17 years of living in Austria I’ve never heard of this association, and neither have my Austrian wife or her parents (in Upper Austria). But it seems to be a very similar organisation to the Alpenverein, with its own network of mountain huts (50% reduction for members), courses and activities for kids etc.

Accident insurance

Finally, DEFINITELY consider membership of either the Alpenverein or ÖTK. It's not expensive, especially for couples and families (your children under 27 - yes 27! - are free in the Alpenverein: http://www.alpenverein.at/.../mitglie.../membership-fees.php) and you get several key benefits: excellent mountain insurance including helicopter rescue (all year round of course - skiing too); discounts in outdoor shops; reductions in mountain huts.

As Fabrizio Viale commented in our Facebook group:

1 year ago I was rescued in the mountains by helicopter and I receive a bill of about 7000€. My insurance paid it without problems (I am an ÖTK member which costs me 50€ a year). I was never so happy to have this insurance!!

See:

• https://www.alpenverein.at/portal/mitgliedwerden/index.php (English)

• https://www.oetk.at/mitgliedschaft/