Being from the States, backpacking and camping conjured different images in my head before I tried it in the Austrian Alps. Wow- so many less people on the trails, markers on the trails (think small painted rocks every now and then with the trail number indicated) to help you find your way (most of the time except after landslides as I experienced,) maps that rule and hutte (huts) where you can sleep in a bed, drink beers, eat hot food and meet other packers.

I started in Seefeld and ended in Innsbruck- nice three day/three night trip on my own.

One word of advice- the horned cows that look like bulls, well at least they did to me, they’re cows. Scottish Highland cattle to be precise- used to keep the grass short to prevent excessive grass growth which helps minimize avalanches once it snows. And when I ended up on the wrong side of the mountains on my last day, short of food and water and nerves, they started to follow and then run after me (have you EVER seen cows run, I mean, really?) I thought I was going to die. Well, not really but you get the dramatic point. It turns out as you already know, they’re not bulls, they’re cows and they just wanted to lick the salt from my body. So don’t be afraid- and maybe you’ll even experience getting kissed by a cow!