Austria 4: Mautendorf (part one)

 15 - 17 June 2023

Move on up

So into Austria proper with twisty roads, steep inclines, tunnels, waterfalls, and distant snow-capped mountains. We drove along the B99 through the Obertauern Pass, which was very scenic. The van brakes got a bit hot on the long downward section.

Having established ourselves on our designated pitch (levelled the van on ramps, connected electric, taken chairs outside etc) we walked around the site and yours truly decided there were nicer pitches available (the designated one was right opposite the site entrance). We were allowed to move, John rolled his eyes, and we got ourselves settled a second time. We are here six nights so I assured him it was worth it.  Camping Mauterndorf is situated some 1100 metres above sea level, so our first couple of nights here were a bit cooler.

Camping Mauterndorf

We were issued with another discount card (Lungaukarte) for things to do in this area which appeared to be very useful.  However, the weather upset plan A which was to ride on the cable car from right beside the campsite and have a walk at the top. Instead we donned coats and overtrousers to brave the rain and walked into the town beside the River Taurach (25 mins). By then it had brightened up so we took photographs and generally got our bearings. Mauterndorf is such a pretty town with its window boxes and painted decorations on the corners of buildings and around doors and windows. 

After a Schnitzel lunch in Gasthof Brunnerwirt we did a tour of the much restored castle, complete with audio guide and free with our Lungaukarte! Unfortunately the weather deteriorated once we left, so it was a wet walk back to the site.

Travellers beware: many places, even restaurants, do not accept credit cards here!

This trip will include lots of railway visits and the first was on the Taurachbahn between Mauterndorf and St Andra through beautiful scenery. Hazel and John have spent many holidays here, doing voluntary work on the railway, so they know lots of people and have tremendous knowledge of the area and the Taurachbahn itself. The ride was punctuated by stops at one station (Mariapfarr) and again where the track crossed a road.  Not only did the railway staff get off to operate the basic level crossing, but some passengers did too, to take photographs, climbing aboard again at the other side of the road.  It was great to see a number of children involved in the operation of the railway; if your Dad takes part, then so do you!

At St Andra, the terminus, it was a short walk to the Gasthof Andlwirt for a leisurely Kaffee and Kuchen before returning to the train.  

We joined Hazel, John and their Swiss friend, Marcus, for dinner at Gasthof Brunnerwirt (much busier than yesterday) and to round the evening off John and I stopped off at the castle, where there was a free choral concert performed by half a dozen Austrian choirs plus one from just over the border in Germany.

The singers far outnumbered those listening and it was standing room only, but their unaccompanied performances were first class.

We did so much in Mauterndorf, it's going to have a "part two"!!!