Early Morning and Fear of the Police
On the fifth day of our trip, we woke up early, at six in the morning, to the sound of our alarm clock. We had read that police often make morning rounds to wild camping spots and fine travelers who have stayed there without permission. We wanted to avoid unpleasant encounters and potential fines, so we decided to leave before sunrise. This is part 5/7 of our Alps road trip series.
Freedom Felt Like a Distant Dream
By this point, the adventure of exploring in a motorhome without constraints had begun to feel more like a delusional dream than a reality. With every step, new rules, restrictions, and surprising challenges had emerged, which felt far from the sense of freedom we had set out to find.
Yet, we weren't ready to give up. The hunger for adventure drove us onward, and we craved new experiences. We pulled out the map and guidebooks and began our research. Soon, we found a promising Via Ferrata route within a reasonable distance. This new challenge gave us fresh energy and direction for the day – perhaps the feeling of freedom would be attainable in the next adventure.
Towards Postalmklamm Klettersteig
We decided to head in the direction of Strobl, where we found the Postalmklamm Klettersteig – or Via Ferrata in German. We browsed routes on several different websites, but we found that Google Maps was the clearest way to find information and reviews. User comments and route ratings gave us a good understanding of the route's difficulty and what to expect.
Mountain Road and Found Freedom
The journey to Postalmklamm began promisingly, as a stunning and well-maintained mountain road led to the starting point. The road wound along the mountain slope, and with each turn, the landscapes became even more impressive. This was the first time on the entire trip that we truly got a taste of the feeling of freedom we had originally set out to find.
There were no signs prohibiting camping or other restrictions along the road, which felt like a small victory for us. It felt as if the mountains embraced us, far from strict rules and prohibition signs. In the shade of the forest and amidst the breathtaking scenery, freedom finally began to feel real.
Canyon and Adventure Park-like Route
The Postalmklamm Klettersteig followed a deep and lush gorge, where the tropically hot and humid air added its own challenging atmosphere to the route. The route was truly magnificent, offering a change from typical vertical climbing. A large part of the journey involved traversing horizontally along the rock face, which made the experience feel somewhat like an adventure park – a natural one.
After a while, however, the route changed and began to ascend vertically. With every meter gained, the views only became more spectacular. The depth of the gorge and the surrounding mountains left us speechless, and there was a genuine joy of discovery in the air.
Hidden Waterfall and Our Own Lake
To our surprise, we found a powerful waterfall roaring down the gorge wall along the route, as well as a small, crystal-clear lake at the base of the falls. This hidden oasis provided a perfect stopping spot – and best of all, we got to enjoy it completely alone. No crowds of tourists, no hustle and bustle, just the quiet, soothing soundscape of nature.
Swimming in the lake in the middle of the gorge felt surreal and incredibly liberating. It was one of those moments when all the challenges and restrictions encountered during the trip were forgotten. We had finally found that perfect hiding place where we truly felt part of the magnificent natural power of the Alps.
