{"id":122779,"date":"2017-03-10T13:22:27","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T12:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.salzburgerland.com\/en\/?p=122779"},"modified":"2017-03-23T10:37:54","modified_gmt":"2017-03-23T09:37:54","slug":"nassfeld-valley-and-the-bockhartsee-lakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.salzburgerland.com\/en\/nassfeld-valley-and-the-bockhartsee-lakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Nassfeld valley and the Bockhartsee lakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

That a valley called Nassfeld (literally \u201cwet field\u201d) would not exactly be a dry desert was something I had already suspected on my journey to the beautiful Gasteinertal valley. Nevertheless, I am quite amazed when I finally arrive at Sportgastein and look down at this wonderful spot of nature and the countless of streams and waterfalls glittering in the sun. Yes, you heard that right, waterfalls. Nassfeld is not only considered the most beautiful valley head in the Hohe Tauern national park, but is also a paradise for all of those that could spend hours watching water do its thing. Like me, for example. And so you can probably imagine how much I was looking forward to this day. But before putting on my hiking boots and taking off, two cows on the pasture right behind the parking space grab my attention. The grass must taste very good here, as they don\u2019t even bother to look up, not noticing me at all. \u201cJust keep on eating, I\u2019ll be on my way then!\u201d Many Gastein farmers like to bring their cattle to the mountain pastures on the plateau during the summer and peacefully munching bovines are thus a quite regular sight around here. But it\u2019s not just the animals that seem totally at ease around here. Hikers enjoy their marches on the trails winding through the valley, jump across little rivulets and keep looking up to the imposing summits of the mountains all around us.<\/p>\n

Hiking through the Nassfeld valley <\/span><\/h2>\n

A look at my hiking guide shows me that there are plenty of hiking trails around and that one can also reach many huts and summits via the Nassfeld valley. I decide for a trail called \u201cRundwanderung Nassfeld\u201d (Circular Trail Nassfeld). Supposedly, it is around three hours long, with many waterfalls, thus the perfect way to explore the valley with all its natural splendour. Just what I need for my morning, because around noon I\u2019m supposed to meet a real ranger at the parking space who will take me up to the mountains. But more on that later. For now, it\u2019s time for me to make my way into the valley. But I keep crossing paths with neat little pasture huts, chat a little with the herdsmen and the farmers and marvel at the natural beauty that seems to expect me at the wayside. Splendidly and seemingly without any effort, the swishing water of the streams circumvents the stones and rocks in its way, the blossoms of the Alpine flowers reach their necks toward the warm sun rays and the grass slightly bends back and forth in the gentle breeze of the wind. I almost have to laugh at myself because I keep on stopping, taking a picture here and a short video there, unable to get enough of all the amazing things here. If you\u2019ve already been here, I\u2019m sure you\u2019ll know what I\u2019m talking about. The hike leads right through the amazing valley, the nature trail makes me realise how much more I have left to learn and at the waterfalls, I find big rocks on which I sit on to take a break and enjoy this marvellous spectacle of nature. Various mountain pastures seem to invite me right in and only with much effort, I manage to resist the temptation of the splendid aromas emerging from the kitchens. How cosy it would be to take a little break in there. But the clock will strike noon soon. I have to return, I am being expected.<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t