In the Austrian village of Nassfeld, adrenalin junkies can get their fix. So can the average 5-year-old and those who manage just fine without bursts of adrenalin, like me. This summer, take the Millennium Gondola up on Madritsche mountain for heaps of family fun.
The Pendolino is a Rodelbahn – a luge on wheels. If you’re into roller coasters, this is the thing for you. I’m not. Yet, the Rodelbahn is the thing for me, too. You see on this particular roller coaster, you determine the speed yourself. If you want to whizz down the 2 km run at max speed 40 km/h, you can. And if you want to pull the brake during the sharp turns, you can. Perfect!
I must admit I used the brake now and then. I don’t think Matthias did. What’s more, he was cool enough to film the experience. Let’s join him for a thrilling ride.
Back at the finish line, a ten-minute walk up a steep hill takes you to the 480 metre long Flying Fox (zip line) for an even bigger thrill. Here are Sabrina, Marie, Agnieszka, Matthias, Leyla, Anna-Lena and Laurel, ready to take on the tree tops.
Marie, the Flying Travelette
The Flying Fox course is part of a Rock Labyrinth with canyons, rock climbing and Klettersteig (via ferrata) in addition to the high ropes. For the youngest, there’s the Aqua Trail, a one-hour stroll on a pram-friendly path down to a gorgeous little mountain lake, with fun and games along the way. And a mountain top trampoline!
Aqua-Trail
For lunch, I recommend you sample the cheese at Tressdorfer Alm Schaukäserei. It’s a bit difficult to translate Schaukäserei – in essence it’s a small cheese factory, a showcase dairy. Rudi, the owner, guides us quickly through the cheese making process, then serves up trays of yummy Alpine cheese.
Donkeys, hens and goats roam around outside the Schaukäserei, a veritable petting zoo up here on the mountain.
My 10-year-old is asking why I, wimpy mamma, visited Nassfeld without her. She would have tried out everything properly, she says, and no brakes! She’d do the full-on Flying Fox and the Klettersteig. And, as she points out, she’s not too old for goats and donkeys. Only one thing to do, I suppose…
Family fun accommodations – and border jumping
In Nassfeld, I stayed at Falkensteiner Carinzia, a fab spa hotel just a few metres from the Millennium Gondola. Further up the mountain is the even more family-friendly Hotel Sonnenalpe – with the added bonus of being just a few metres from the Italian border. Not that there’s a physical barrier up here in the mountains. Still, it’s fun to jump across: now I’m in Italy, now I’m in Austria, Italy, Austria, Italy, Austria…
For an even more international flair, the Slovenian border is a few miles further along.
If you go:
- The above is what we managed to fit into our short one-day excellent adventure. There’s heaps more, of course, including 1000 km of trails, mountain biking (extreme or easy), panorama view golfing and all sorts of water fun on offer: swimming, fishing, river tubing, rafting, canoeing…
- Nassfeld is located in Carinthia (Kärnten), Austria’s southernmost province, a half hour from Villach, a transport hub about halfway between Venice and Munich. (For a spot of shopping, I’m told Udine, just across the Italian border, is just the ticket.)
- Ask at your hotel about the +Card, giving you free and discounted activities in the Nassfeld-Hermagor-Lake Pressegger region.
- Costs: Rodelbahn: 7€ (5€ with the +Card), Flying fox/Rock Labyrinth: 22 € (19€ with the +Card) for three hours of fun
Disclosure: In Kärnten, I was a guest of Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences. As ever, opinions are mine, all mine.
For more travel inspiration, head over to this week’s Travel Photo Thursday or Friday Daydreamin’.
May I have some cheese, please?
Ana O recently posted..I wish I were in …
The cheese really was delicious
What a fun day! I can see why your 10 year old wanted to go! Now you will have to go back!
jenny@atasteoftravel recently posted..What to do in New York
Yes, she’s going on about the Flying Fox especially.
I like flying – but not in a thin line, so I’d just heard directly for the cheese plate, I think:)
ItalianNotes recently posted..The wine museum in Barolo
Yeah, I’m not much of a zip liner either. The kids I’m a bit of a wimp.
Thanks for this amazing tour! I hope to be able to see and experience everything you mentioned in this post soon.
Hope you do, too
I’d love to do it all – and finish up with the cheese plate. What a fabulous day. And you’re not alone in using the brake – I’m a bit of a wimp in that department too,
Leigh recently posted..Hiking the Spectacular Iceline Trail near Field, BC
Looks like lots of fun, and I would love some of that cheese!
Nancie recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday — July 26, 2012 — Beating the Heat in Budapest.
Truly yummy
I hate to admit it but the cheese plate calmed my queasy stomach that had developed from seeing your thrill seeking adventure. Now for a glass of wine to calm my nerves and I am set. . . (great post!)
Jackie Smith recently posted..TPThursday: Do you ‘Capture the Colours’ or Clichés?
We didn’t have wine up there, but that’s probably a good idea
I was thinking along the same lines as Jackie. Not sure I could eat the delicious cheese plate because just watching the film made me queasy. But I’d definitely love to do that ride.
Vera Marie Badertscher recently posted..Photo Thursday: The Most Scenic Road Trip in the U.S.
Taking a nice walk between the ride and the cheese would probably do the trick.
My boys would be in heaven!
Jessica recently posted..Chihuly Nights at Dallas Arboretum
Kiddie heaven for sure.
We did a summer luge run in Germany once. I used the brake my husband did not. Can you guess who was the one that almost fell out of their sled??? Looks like a fun place for all ages.
Debbie Beardsley @ European Travelista recently posted..Munich – My Olympic Adventure
You?
That is definitely the longest and coolest roller coaster ride I’ve ever seen! I never heard of controlling your own speed before, how awesome! Would love to check this out someday!:-)
Jess @UsedYorkCity recently posted..The Perfect Bosnian Bed & Breakfast: Mostar’s Muslibegovic House
Head for Carinthia
This definitely looks like a fun place to spend a day. I agree with Jess, that is a mighty long roller coaster ride.
InsideJourneys recently posted..New York City: Library Way
I don’t think I’ve heard of a longer one.
Looks like a lot of fun! I rode a “psuedo-luge” near Salzburg.
Dick Jordan recently posted..Travel Photo Thursday: Wildlife Point-And-Shoot
Curious about a pseudo-luge…
I did similar activities near Luzern in Switzerland, god I love the European Alps. Can’t wait to take my daughter there.
Natasha von Geldern recently posted..A London day out: Walking the Regent’s Canal
She’ll love it
This was such a fun day! I’m now addicted to Rodelbahns and can’t wait to try it again. And the cheese….Mmmm.
Laurel recently posted..Margravial Opera House: Germany’s Newest UNESCO World Heritage Site
Wasn’t it just the greatest day?
Oh my goodness- that looks like so much fun! I would totally be the thrill-seeker and not use the breaks!!
Thanks for linking up!
Becca@R We There Yet Mom? recently posted..Friday Daydreamin’: Nostalgia
Brave woman!
Now that’s my kind of roller coaster. I would totally want to take the Rodelbahn ride, even though I’m not a roller coaster person either. Lunch looks delicious. Such fun!
Cathy Sweeney recently posted..Wyoming Roundup
I don’t do roller coasters – but a ride that I could control, I might consider that! I would, in all likelihood, win a prize for the slowest rider down the track though! You should definitely go back with your daughter!
Lisa recently posted..London With Kids – 14 Favourite Attractions And Activities