Werfen, Where Eagles Dare
Trip miles 1,310 miles
+17 daytime (and up to mid-20's when the strong sun shines)
Heading south on the climbing mountain motorway A10 we
gambled on the only campsite at Werfen being open as advertised, today. Indeed
we were greeted enthusiastically and declared ‘die erste gaste’ the very first
guests of the season! Pitched next to the fast-flowing and wide Salzach River
and neighbouring rail line we saw the fabulous DB trains that we had been
travelling on making their way down to Trieste in Italy – our destination.
View of the Werfen Valley |
It was nervous moments whilst we finally recommissioned
Bertha’s water systems out of danger of heavy frosts, flushing the air-locked
pipes and filling the water heater whilst the pump noisily banged away at the
air bubbles. No need for concern though – she was soon back on running hot and
cold water for the first time on our trip!
Water systems back on by the Salzach River |
Elated, we headed out on the riverside cycle path up to
the pretty medieval town of Werfen overseen by its fabulous cliff-top Schloss
Hohen Werfen, backdrop to everyone’s favourite WWII movie ‘Where Eagles Dare’
but surprisingly without the legendary cable-car (which we found out was
super-imposed).
Humming the film’s theme tune and radio call signing each other
in a predictable manner we clambered and pushed the bikes up a narrow cliff
path as the funicular lift was closed. As indeed we discovered was the
castle. It was Monday, and a ‘rest day’.
Hohenwerfen castle - "Broad Sword calling Danny Boy" |
Puffing up the path behind us and carrying shopping was a
lovely young German woman who turned out to have been living at the castle for
a year as the resident ‘falconnier’ and who loves her job of flying her birds
of prey in the daily falconry display – but not today. Ah well.
Hiking high in Austria |
The following day we cycled in the opposite direction to
Bischofshofen to admire the waterfall created by mountain snows tumbling down
above the winter ski resort town. Having done a clothes wash at the camp’s
laundry room (the first in a grubby 23 days!) we cycled slowly up an ever
inclining path up to the now closed cable car station. From there we slogged up
the mountain bike trail to a rewarding picnic next to the powerful waterfall.
Bischofshofen Wasserfall |
Wash day at last! |