Biking from Dorfgastein to Bad Gastein

After our usual delicious breakfast at our Tobhartbauer Family rental in the morning, we decided to rent bikes at the local EggerSki/Bike rental. The rental manager at Egger was amiable and helpful and gave us many valuable directions and advice on our upcoming ride.

Inna and Alex selected E-bikes (with electric power assist), while I rented a standard mountain bike. We decided to ride first through Bad Hofgastein, finally stopping at Bad Gastein.



Most of the bike ride was on the gravel bike trail, though some small portions included cars. The countryside was stunning, and we saw many wandering cows.

We rode through the city's center in Bad Hofgastein and saw many cutesy shops. There was some up and down hanging here, but Alex and Inna managed well with their Ebikes.

Eventually, when we arrived in Bad Gastein, we ran into a waterfall-hiking trail (unexpectedly). 

We locked our bikes and hiked up the waterfall since we were unsure whether bikes were allowed on this hiking trail.

We hiked uphill for about 45 minutes to the main waterfall, stopping to take photos of the torrent of water streaming downhill.

The main waterfall is in the town center and has an imposing drop. After viewing it for some time, we stopped by for iced coffee refreshments at the Kraftwerk restaurant.

We did not like the menu there (it seemed like a very touristy place), but it seemed like a nice place to hide away from the rain. Fortunately, the light drizzle was very short, and we did not have to wait long.

Then, we hiked to the town center, where we ate at the Wirthaus Jagerhaus. Alex ordered a Red Bull drink and a Margherita pizza, while I had the traditional Austrian meat & potatoes (Hausgrostl). 

The entrees were delicious. We talked to the waitress, who explained that winter is a busy time for Bad Gastein - as many Swedish tourists head over to Austria for winter skiing vacations.

Inna tried the entire menu 3, which included a French Onion soup and crepe dessert.

After lunch, Alex felt well enough to try zip-lining over the waterfall with the Flying Waters Company. It was a very gentle zip-line ride (in comparison to Xplorer zip lines in Cancun).

We stopped by our local restaurant – Almstad’l zum Hias Matthias Pfister – in Dorfgastein for dinner.

I ordered a salad with chicken (Backhendsalat) while Inna tried the Almstad salad. 

The food was fresh and delicious, and the Stiegl beer was fine, too.

After dinner, we returned to the Alpentherme Spa in Bad Hofgastein. Alex really enjoyed both of the slides, and we enjoyed the heated thermal waters and the sauna.