You find St. Anton am Arlberg in the Austrian mountains, about 1 hour by car from Innsbruck. Imagine quaint streets with a Tyrolean charm, where everyone knows everyone. Known for its variety of pistes and legendary après-ski parties, the village is jam-packed with skiers and snowboarders in winter. Unlike many ski-villages that turn quiet once the snow has gone, St. Anton am Arlberg has a lot to offer in summer.

In summer most of the snow on the mountains will have almost totally disappeared, so instead of being covered in a white blanket, St. Anton turns into a beautiful village in bloom. There are numerous events, like a triathlon, an e-bike festival and a Mountain Yoga Festival.  All of this with a magnificent alpine backdrop. Keep reading to discover the things to do in St. Anton in summer. 

Summer outdoor activities in St. Anton am Arlberg

There’s nothing like getting your blood pumping when in the mountains, right? That’s one of my favourite things about the mountains: you get to be active, surrounded by a stunning scenery. That’s no different in St. Anton. Make the most of your stay and experience the diverse sport and nature activities.

In summer you have the option to buy the St. Anton summer card, from just one overnight stay. The summer card includes one day’s use of the St. Anton cable cars, as well as bus rides between Landeck and St. Christoph. You can also partake in many activities, like early yoga sessions, archery and e-biking trips. The St. Anton Summer Card is available for about 3 months. In 2019 this was from 19th June to 22nd September. 

E-biking

With its well-marked network of cycling routes – 350km in total – St. Anton is a popular destination for cyclists in summer. The trails can be challenging (although there is something for everyone), but you are rewarded by fabulous mountain views. You got to earn those views, right?

Giving you access to places where you otherwise wouldn’t get, e-biking is gaining popularity. People – like me – who aren’t used to mountain biking can cheat a little bit by using an e-bike. St. Anton is well located to discover different areas by biking tracks. During my stay I did two e-bike trips. It was also the very first time I ever hopped on an e-bike.

E-bike to Speicher Kartell and Darmstädter hut

This route to Speicher Kartell isn’t long (only 8km), but it goes all the way up. You climb approximately 700m to the Speicher Kartell lake, with hardly any flat or downhill part. Getting up there took Nico and me 1,5h. Going down only 25minutes – this gives you an idea of how steep it was!

The e-bike makes it so much nicer. You still have to bike, but it is way less intense for your body. If you want you can keep biking, to Darmstädter hut at 2,385m/12,7km.

Route: Start at the roundabout in town and cycle to the rear of Rendlbahn cable car valley terminal and on to the bridge that spans the Arlbergstrasse. Follow the gravel trail which leads over a wooden bridge. Cycle uphill into the Moostal Valley, passing Trischalpe whilst heading towards Lake Kartell-see. The last few hundred meters are zigzagging up, until you reach the lake. To go to Darmstädter Hut, turn left at the lake and follow the signs to the hut. Follow the same route back for your return journey.

Time: officially it is 2h45min up – 1h return. We did it in 1h30 up and 25min back. Climb to Kartell See: 700m, to Darmstadter hut: 1,114m. 

E-bike to Konstanzer Hut

We went on a little sunrise mission to Konstanzer Hut, at a height of 1688m and 11.4km from St. Anton. Alarm at 4.30am, on the bike at 5am. It took us 1,5h to get to the hut, where we started to take pictures. Unfortunately the clouds sabotaged our plan, blocking the sun at sunrise. Still, it was a great morning workout and I absolutely loved the idyllic views. Of course we went for a little tea-break in the hut. Then we ‘flew’ back down, just on time for our breakfast in the hotel! 

Route: Take the Hannes-Schneider-Weg in a westerly direction. At the roundabout take the first exit up through Oberdorf. The route leads towards Lake Verwallsee. From there, continue to the Salzhütte and follow signs to the Konstanzer Hut (for 4.6 km long). Follow the same route back for your return journey. You’ll bike approximately 490m uphill.

It was my first time e-biking, and I liked that it gives you the opportunity to get to a location quickly. Way faster than hiking or regular mountain biking, and I love that. Without the e-bike we (read: I) wouldn’t have been able to go for sunrise to Konstanzer Hut. You choose how much e-power you want to use and off you go! The hardest part for me was getting used to the saddle – and I didn’t btw. My bum was quite sore after two days of biking.  

Of course, if you like mountain biking, you can do these routes also without an e-bike! I couldn’t, but maybe you can

Note: when you cross any barriers while biking, make sure to always close pasture gates – so the cattle doesn’t get lost.

Arlberg klettersteig

A ‘klettersteig’ is a via ferrata, which is a route with steel cables on the face of a mountain.

If you’re familiar with via ferratas, you should do the Arlberg klettersteig. It is almost 2 kilometers long and consists of 2000 metres of steel cable and 500 hooks. It is considered one of the most beautiful, yet challenging via ferratas in the area. Find more information from the tourism office about the Arlberg klettersteig route here.

Unfortunately for us it had snowed the week before we arrived, so the conditions weren’t optimal for us. We’ll have to return to do the klettersteig!

Hiking

With 300km of hiking trails and mountains in every direction you look, there are a myriad of options to take those hiking boots out. Huts are spread all around the mountains, making it easy to go even further and do overnight trips. Find more information about hiking here. Pack your rucksack and off you go!

Since we were only in St. Anton for 4 days, we didn’t get to go hiking, but there are some great trails. Some of the hiking options are: Moostal Hike (Alpenrosenweg Trail) – 6 hours, Edmund Graf Hut – 7 hours, the Kaltenberg hut (Berggeistweg trail) – 6 hours.

In case you want to get the views, without too much effort, you can take the Valluga gondola, which brings you to the region’s highest peak: the 2811m high Valluga. It takes 3 cable cars to get there, starting with the Galzigbahn and two sections of the Vallugabahn. This ticket is included in your summer card.

Other gondolas in St. Anton in summer are the Rendlbahn Gondola, Kapallbahn and the Gampenbahn. Remember that gondolas close in autumn. Check here for latest updates.

Check out more mountain destinations in Europe: the impressive Dolomites in Italy.

Relaxing activities

After all the hard physical work, you’re allowed to treat yourself with some more relaxing activities. St. Anton has got that covered too. Enjoy!

Visit the museum

For only a few euros, you can visit the quirky St. Anton museum. It showcases the history of the village and is located in an authentic, beautiful building in a little park. There’s a nicely designed restaurant and a terrace where you can enjoy a drink. Even if you’re not into museums, it’s definitely worth visiting – just to have stroll in the park, to check out the building and have a drink.

Spa

Relaxing with views of the mountain peaks, who would say no to that? Not me! Swimming, sauna, steam baths are all a part of summer holidays in the mountains.

You can get your relax on at the Arlberg WellCom, with its indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool and the sauna and wellness zone on the roof. Relax while overlooking the impressive peaks of the region. The summer card gives you one admission to the swimming pool at Arlberg WellCom or at Wellnesspark Arlberg Stanzertal in Pettneu.

Many hotels will also offer their own sauna and wellness area, like the one we stayed at- but more about that later!

Indulge in Austrian food and drinks

Even though St. Anton is relatively small, there is a lot of choice in the food and drinks department. Try out the Knödel, a local speciality made of bread. We tried them in Fuhrmannstübe. The friendly owner was so helpful to explain us what Knödel was. We shared a large table with other customers and loved the relaxed and happy atmosphere. Fuhrmannstübe doesn’t take reservations, but you can wait at the bar until a table is available.

A bit pricier, but also tasty, is Bodega Bar – where you can have some tapas. For lunch I went to Hannes Café Schneider, for filling soups, coffee and delicious cakes. When in Austria, you have to try the apple strudel!

Where to stay?

We stayed in the Schwarzer Adler hotel on the main street of St. Anton am Arlberg, a four-star hotel with spa.

The rooms were large and comfortable with mountain views, and the breakfast was the most impressive and delicious one I’ve ever had. Pastries, fruit, vegetables, bread, eggs, there was so much choice. My favourite: their juice maker with vegetables and fruit, where you can make your own juice. I started every day with my carrot and orange juice.

My favourite part of the hotel was probably the spa. Hotel spa’s are often just one pool and one sauna. That wasn’t the case at the Schwarzer Adler Hotel. They have an extensive spa area with two pools (one on the roof!), multiple sauna’s (infrared included), a steam bath and relaxing areas. This place is perfect if you want both an active and relaxing holiday in the mountains.

Want to go there too? You can book it here: Hotel Schwarzer Adler. For more accommodation options in St. Anton am Arlberg have a look here.

How to get to St. Anton am Arlberg?

You might think that a village in the mountains isn’t easily accessible? Well, think again. In true Austrian spirit, there is a good road and train infrastructure.

By train

We arrived from Paris by train, a trip that took us 7,5h, with a lunch stop of 1 hour in Zurich. We paid 154 euro per person for this easy trip from Paris to St. Anton. The train station in St. Anton is just a stone’s throw away from the center. The train ride from Inssbruck to St. Anton takes about 1h20. There’s even free wifi on the train.

It’s also easy to reach Italy from St. Anton. When we left St. Anton, we took a train to Bolzano, in Italy.
St. Anton – Innsbruck: 1h20 – 17,5 euro
Innsbruck – Bolzano: 2h – 9 euro
For only 26,5 euro you are in the mountains in Italy.

To get those good prices, you do have to do a bit of searching and compare days and hours. For example the train ticket of 9 euro was another time of the day 30 euro. I got pretty good at it finding good prices, because I’ve been travelling for a long time. In this case I checked the following websites: Oui sncf (French website), Öbb (Austrian railway) and the Trainline.

By car

St. Anton is about a 1h15 drive from Innsbruck. You drive via Landeck to St. Anton am Arlberg

From Innsbruck airport, get on the A12/E533/E60 in Völs from Färstenwegand Kranebitter Allee/B171. Continue on A12/E60 to Sankt Anton am Arlberg. Merge onto A12/E533/E60 (this is a toll road). From S16 turn to exit St.Anton a.A.. Follow B197 to Postpl.

Important: You will need a road tax sticker to drive on motorways and on the S16 in Austria. It is called a ‘vignette’ and you can buy it at the border, petrol stations and in many ‘Trafik’. There are three types of stickers: 10 days, 2 months or one year.

By plane

The nearest airport is Innsbruck airport, at approximately 100km. The E60 motorway that runs east to west from Switzerland to Austria and the Arlberg tunnel puts St. Anton am Arlberg within easy reach of also Friedrichshafen airport (130km) and Zurich airport (195km).

So if you’re looking for a new summer destination, St. Anton is the place to be! One last tip: try to visit at the end of summer, when the majority of the tourists have left. You’ll have the place more to yourself!

Disclosure: Nico and I were invited by St. Anton am Arlberg Tourism to explore the area. All opinions are, as usual, my own. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which supports this site without costing you anything extra. 

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Let’s do crazy

Yep. You read that correctly. Only on electricity, 0.0L of fuel used. To show that an electric car is more than a city vehicle Nico and I drove from Belgium to the Arctic Circle and back. We never shy away from a challenge, but for this project we had a nervous voice inside our heads – especially since we had never travelled with an electric vehicle before – for me it was even the first time driving an electric car. While looking at our routeplanner it looked doable, but… what if it was not possible after all?

As a writer and photographer we often have to take the plane, a way of travelling that is extremely bad for the environment, and this is weighing more and more on us and on our desire to travel as responsible as possible. Mobility that does not emit any harmful substances is a step towards tackling the climate problem.

With this project we wanted to show that you don’t always need to take the plane, that you can travel more environmentally friendly and that it is possible to travel far with an electric car – even all the way to the Arctic Circle! I mean, if we can make it to the Arctic Circle, you can make it to France or Spain.

We teamed up with Audi Belgium, because they are always in for a crazy challenge, and they were curious to see how their first all-electric car would do: the Audi e-tron.

Off we go!

After weeks of educating ourselves about electric cars and planning our trip, it was finally happening. We get in the car, and off we go! It was such a strange feeling to start a trip you’ve been looking forward to for such a long time. Yes, we might have pinched ourselves a few times.

The first day we drove through Belgium and the Netherlands to Bremen, a charming city in Germany. It’s a walkable city, with lots of charming pubs, little streets and quaint houses. After a good drive, we enjoyed some German food and beer.

Of course we allowed ourselves to have some fun on the German highways (where there’s often no speed limits) and got the car easily to 200km/h. But the faster you go, the more your battery consumes, so we had to top up the car afterwards.

If you want to do more road trips, read about my road trip to Italy: Road trip in the Dolomites.

The world of charging

Being electric newbies, we entered this entire new world of electric cars, kWh, chargers and much more. We were a bit nervous at our first charging stop, because the charging station wasn’t working. But once we connected the car to another charging station nearby, it was all fine.

The charging went incredibly smooth – especially with the high power chargers, that can charge the car at a capacity of 150 kWh. In only 15 minutes, the car jumped from 30% to 80%. We usually combined our charging stops with a coffee or toilet break – but the car was often ready before we had finished our coffee. The fact that we didn’t have to change our rhythm and adapt to the car was a very nice surprise. 

After three days we saw that our planning was good – and even too cautious – so we started skipping charging points. Your knowledge and confidence definitely increases while travelling. It’s a mindset and in the end it’s not much different from charging your phone – just a bigger size. 

We took the Audi e-tron through beautiful landscapes in Denmark, Sweden and Norway. We passed picturesque fishing villages, visited the Lego Museum (our inner child was happy) and went on the most amazing hikes. You can see these stories on my Instagram highlights. I’m preparing a guide to travel electric in Norway, so more info on those locations and charging stops later. 

The Arctic Circle

On day 6 we reached the Arctic Circle.

And it was surprisingly easy…

 It took us 2985 km and 20 charging stations to get there. The car (and drivers) did a great job and we even arrived faster than we expected. I loved that the charging never felt like a burden. We always had breakfast, coffee or a toilet break. It’s also a great way to avoid getting tired while driving. We didn’t have any hiccups or problems to overcome, besides twice a charging station not working.

On one hand I almost wish we had encountered some obstacle to figure out to reach our goal, since that would have been a bit more exciting to share. On the other hand, I wanted to show you that electric travel is possible – and what’s a better example than driving to the Arctic Circle without any problems? 

You just need a little bit more preparation, like knowing where the charging stations are located. A Better Routeplanner is btw a great website to plan a route and find charging locations. The e-tron card also made the trip a lot smoother, because it gives you access to a large network of charging stations in different countries. You just hold the card against the charging station and that’s it!

Lofoten bound

Because the e-tron had done such a good job – and let’s be honest… we didn’t want to go home yet – we continued our trip to the Lofoten, a mountainous island group of Norway.

We even found hotels with their own (free) charging stations. What a luxury to be able to charge your car while you’re sleeping or going on a hike. Going to the Lofoten was a good choice, because it is one of the most stunning locations I’ve ever seen and because the e-tron thrives in a mountainous environment. 

Recuperation is the answer

Due to the built-in recovery system you can easily recover energy while driving. Especially in mountainous areas, like the Lofoten, this is efficient. We sometimes saved up to 30% of the radius, which allowed us to get a 400 km range with one charge. Our average consumption of the entire trip was 25,7 kWh/100km (keep in mind we drove fast in Germany ).

After doing about 800 km in a day we noticed it is absolutely no problem to cover many kilometres, without having to stop and charge all the time.

Our takeaways of travelling to the Arctic Circle electric

Travelling electric is easy! We drove 6694 km in 18 days and it was much easier than expected.

There are plenty of charging stations on the road, just make sure you have a look before you go on your adventure. We mainly used the 150+ kWh fast charging station on main roads, which would charge the car from 20 to 80% within 20 min. If there weren’t any 150+ kWh stations, there was usually a 50 kWh around. This will take a bit longer to charge, but is still very doable.

I absolutely loved the silence of driving electric. We passed reindeer, and they didn’t even look up when we passed. You can really enjoy your surroundings to the fullest. Definitely an absolute plus of travelling electric. 

Regarding the Audi e-tron itself, we were immediately hooked. It’s a very nice and well-designed car and we couldn’t have wished for a better electric car. Not only was the large range a plus, the comfort while driving was also great. And in case we would’ve been stuck with an empty battery – the trunk is super big and looks great for sleeping too.

The exterior mirrors took some getting used to. These have been replaced by virtual ones that display camera images inside the car. After looking in the wrong place for a few days, the virtual mirrors became a habit and their quality is incredibly good. The displays are razor-sharp and indicate if there is someone in your blind spot. Contrary to what you might think, the mirrors work great in the dark with clear images.

18 days later we were back in Belgium. What a trip. Not only did we discover beautiful scenery, we also proved that electric travel is possible and a lot of fun!

Have you ever travelled in an electric car? Would you be interested in doing it?

Disclaimer: This article was in collaboration with Audi Belgium. All opinions are, as always, my own.

The post My road trip to the Arctic Circle in an electric car appeared first on The World is a Circus.

If you like a dose of adventure and aren’t afraid of heights, you’ll have a blast. I couldn’t stop smiling while doing this hike, because it is just so much fun.

Kananaskis Country

You find Nihahi Ridge in Kananaskis Country in the Canadian Rockies. Kananaskis is also called K-Country by the cool kids. K-Country is an area west of Calgary with many parks, including five provincial parks, four wild land provincial parks and much more. As you can imagine Kananaskis hides many awesome hikes, the Nihahi Ridge hike being one of them!

(Definitely check the video at the end of this article to get even more excited)

From Campground to the Top

The hike starts from the Little Elbow Campground. This is convenient if you want to spend a night at the campground and start your hike early in the morning. We parked up our van the evening before, planning to hike the next day. Be aware that Little Elbow Campground is quite expensive. We paid 26 dollars to park up for one night. The campground has toilets, (untreated) water and a fire pit.

We were excited to get up the ridge, although the conditions weren’t ideal. Heavy wildfires were spreading in British Columbia and Alberta – this is unfortunately something that happens sometimes during hot summers. When we got out of the van we knew immediately. The sky was filled with smoke, making the scenery very hazy. A pity, but we had set our minds on doing this hike and the fires were far away from us, so we went for it.

The first meters you follow the main road until you reach the official start of the hike and the forest. There are many little paths; so make sure to check every sign. It’s a nice, small track taking you through the forest up to a meadow. The trail keeps going up and getting steeper step by step. Once you’re almost above the tree line you start hiking on rocks. Keep going uphill and don’t forget to look back. The view gets better and better!

At one point you follow a small track on some gravel along the right side of the mountain. Here you’ll have to do a tiny scramble of a few meters, but nothing too bad (if you’re not afraid of heights).

Route Up to Nihahi Ridge

Once you finish the little scramble there are a few tracks up, and you quickly gain altitude. I’m pretty sure all tracks lead to the top, but we followed the right hand one. Then you’ll reach a large buttress, marking the end of the hike.

Here you have two options. You either stop or you keep going. Of course we wanted to walk ON the ridge, so we kept going! Once the track finishes there is the option to climb up some rocks and walk on the ridge. Here the fun part started! The little climb up was quite vertical, but not exposed. There were large rocks to hold on to and climb up.

Hikes where you have to do a bit of scrambling and climbing are my favourite ones. A combination of fun and adrenaline in a magnificent scenery. 

When you reach the top of Nihahi Ridge you feel mighty! You balance at 2,345m high on a ridge. One side of the ridge was very steep, while the other side was a slab, making it safer. I felt the adrenaline pumping in me.

Don’t climb to the top of the ridge if you’re not confident on your feet or with heights! Always be careful and smart.

Because of the smoke we didn’t get the best views, but it still was one of the best day hikes I’ve done in Canada. This hike is just so much fun. I still get a smile on my face when thinking about it.

Video Nihahi Ridge Trail

Is Nihahi Ridge a dangerous hike?

In general Nihahi Ridge is not a dangerous hike, but this depends if you go all the way to the top of the ridge. The track to the official end of the hike isn’t dangerous, but the second part to the top could be considered dangerous since you are very exposed on top of the ridge (on one side).

When I was doing my research before hiking up Nihahi Ridge, I was a bit worried about the scramble and climb up to the ridge – but having done it now know I had no reason to be worried. You just always need to stay focused.

I have done a lot of hikes that were pretty high and steep, so if you are not confident with heights, you should definitely not do the second part of Nihahi Ridge. Also please always wear proper shoes – you would be surprised how many people I’ve seen in flip flops on hikes…

More hikes in Canada: A week in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. 

Nihahi Ridge Hiking Route Description

The Nihahi Ridge hike is about 10-11km return and the elevation gain is around 450m, depending on how far on the ridge you go. It took us about 2 hours up and 1,5h down, but we were in a hurry to get nice light up there and we didn’t really take any breaks.

• Start at Little Elbow Campground and walk towards the end of the road. Go past the gate to the trailhead. About half a kilometre later you see a sign on your right where you need to get off the main trail and go into the forest toward Nihahi.
• Don’t forget to take that turn off the main road into the forest! There are many trails, so it’s easy to get confused. Once you get off the main road, you slowly go up through the forest until you reach a meadow. From here you already get some views on the surrounding mountains.
• Once you pass the meadow the trail gains elevation rapidly, with views getting better and better. The track climbs continuously, with an exposed section at the side of the mountain. After a little (and easy) scramble you’re almost at the top. You just keep following the clear track.
• At the end of the trail you have the opportunity to go further and walk on the ridge. Climb up the rocks and access the ridge. Be careful when doing this.

How To Get To Nihahi Ridge Trailhead?

• The start of the track is near Bragg Creek,  about 40 minutes from Calgary
• Take Highway 66 from Calgary until the roads ends
• Park at the Little Elbow Campground
• This road is closed from 1 December to 15 May (because of winter conditions)

TIP: there is a big car park, but if you want to cut a few (boring on the road) hundred meters from the hike you can park close to the campground. You just drive towards the campground, and at one point you’ll see a tiny car park on your right and a big sign: LAST PARKING FOR TRAILHEAD (or something like that). It fits about 10 cars.

Thinking of working and travel in Canada? Find out more how you can do that: Work and Travel in Canada. 

Where To Stay near Nihahi Ridge – Kananaskis?

Since this trail is near Calgary (only a 40 minutes drive) you can either stay in the city or spend a night at the Little Elbow Campground.

Little Elbow Campground

This is a large campground in the Little Elbow Provincial Recreation Area with a lot of space. There are over 60 sites for RV’s or tents and about 30 walk-in tent sites.

We didn’t make a reservation, but if you like to be sure, you can reserve a spot on the Alberta Parks website. It’s a cute campground with nice surroundings. Walk to the Forget Me Not pond, stroll through the forest and of course hike up Nihahi Ridge!

Calgary accommodation

If you have a car you can easily stay in Calgary. Calgary is a large city with lots of accommodation options, from hotels to hostels and AirBnB’s. If you don’t have Airbnb yet, use this link to get a discount.

Also on Booking.com there are plenty of options for accommodation in Calgary.

Ready to hike? Let’s go!

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Disclaimer: some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which supports this site without costing you anything extra. Thanks for helping me buy my coffee 

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Visiting Canada is easy, but did you know you might be able to stay for a longer period? Yes, that’s an option! In this article I will focus on travelling to Canada, for a short and long period – and how you can do that. There is even the option to travel and work in Canada!

Why should I go to Canada?

Not sure yet about Canada as destination? Here are a few photos and reasons why you should at least once in your life check out this beautiful country in North America.

1. Stunning nature

Canada is one big playground for outdoor enthusiasts. I’ve encountered impressive mountains, clear-blue lakes and incredible views. The cool thing is that Canada offers more than just beautiful sights – the cities are pretty cool too. I loved exploring Vancouver in British Columbia! This makes it the perfect mix of exploring nature and discovering the city life.

Looking for a cool hike in Canada? Try out this stunning and active hike in British Columbia: Garibaldi Lake.

2. Kind people

Yep, it’s true what you hear. People here are super kind (and I lived in New Zealand for a few years!). From the employees in the supermarket to the locals you meet on hikes: there’s always a big smile and a helping hand. This is something important to me when I go travelling. I want to feel welcome and engage with kind locals. It can make or break a trip. In Canada it will make your trip.

3. The best road trips

Those long Canadian roads are perfect for road trips. You can cruise through gorgeous parks and discover incredible sceneries. Nico and I bought a van when we arrived in summer in Canada. It worked out so well. Driving those roads with views on the mountains, exploring new places, hiking up to peaks, sleeping in the van. It was a summer I won’t quickly forget.

Ready to visit Canada? Below you find the practical information on making it happen.

Going to Canada for less than 3 months

Want to visit Canada for less than 3 months and wondering how to apply for a Canada travel visa? You’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

The majority of the people going to Canada will do so with an eTA – it’s the most common way to travel to Canada. You can apply for an eTA online if you meet the following requirements:

• Be older than 18 to apply.
• Going on a short tourist trips, business, transit and medical visits.
• Only valid by air (if you enter by land for most nationalities you just need your passport).
• You must have an e-passport.

You can apply on the Canada Immigration website. Once you do so, you’ll receive a confirmation email with your eTA attached. There’s no need to print it, as it will be automatically and electronically attached to your passport.

If you don’t want to bother or look in to it yourself, you can easily get help from an agency. Belgians can apply for their Canada eTA with VisumBuitenland.be.

It’s super straightforward. You enter a few details and they do the rest! They know the ropes and will get it sorted for you – so you can already start dreaming about those Canadian mountains! You can find their prices here: the costs of an eTA.

Good to know about the eTA:

• You can use your eTA for the next 5 years (starting from date of issue).
• You are allowed multiple entries (meaning that you could travel back and forth from Canada to the US – just make sure you also have a US visa).
• Canada Immigration recommends you to get your eTA 72 prior to your departure.

Important: You need an eTA to enter Canada, but it does not guarantee your entry. Canada Immigration makes the final decision at the border (as it is in every country).

Going to Canada for more than 3 months

Would you like to stay a bit longer in Canada to combine travel and work? That’s possible too! Then you should apply for a Working Holiday Visa – which falls under the Canadian International Experience Visa (IEC).

What is a Working Holiday Visa?

The Working Holiday Visa is a visa to travel and work in Canada, to get a full Canadian experience. This means that you can easily travel around and live in one location for a few months to earn money. Tired of working? You just move on to the next location! It’s as simple as that. 

The IEC – Working Holiday is an open work permit, allowing you to work for more than one employer. That’s great news as it means that you are not tied to 1 employer and therefore 1 location. It also lets you do most jobs in Canada. Only exception: jobs related to striptease or erotic dance/massages are not allowed.

Who can apply?

Anyone from a country that has an IEC work permit agreement with Canada is allowed to apply. There are a few more requirements to qualify for the Working Holiday Visa though:

• you can’t have a job offer yet
• you want to work for different employers and in more than one location
• you’d like to earn money to travel
  

There is also an age limit, which varies from country to country. To give you an idea: Belgium (18-30), France (18-35), UK (18-30), NZ (18-35), Australia (18-35).

How to apply for a Working Holiday visa in Canada?

The process to get an International Experience visa for Canada is a bit more complicated than the one for an eTA. Read more about the different steps below.

1. Check if your country is eligble
2. Create a profile
3. Get invited to apply
4. Confirm that you still want to go to Canada
5. Gather all your documents
6. You’re ready to go to Canada! Yay!

1. Check if your country is eligible. Do the ‘come to Canada’-quiz on the immigration website. Find it here: quiz.

2. Create your IEC profile. If you are eligible you can create a profile. Once completed you are added to IEC Working Holiday ‘pool’ of your country.

There is one pool of eligible candidates per country and per category. Only a certain amount of visas are available per country, so you have to be invited to apply for a work permit. Wondering if your pool is open? Canada Immigration shows whether your pool is open. Find it on their website.

3. Get invited to apply. Now the waiting game starts. You need to get invited to be able to apply. This is a random selection and there’s nothing you can do. You might receive an invitation after 1 week or 1 month. This will depend on luck and how many people already applied to the pool. I was invited to apply after 2 weeks in the pool.

4. Confirm that you still want to go to Canada. Did you get invited? Sweet! Are you still excited to go hiking those Canadian mountains? Perfect! You just have to let Canada know. You get 10 days to do this (so check your email and spam box regularly).

5. Gather all your documents.They might ask for the following documents, depending on the agreement with your country and previous travels you’ve done.

• Proof of financial support
• CV
• Medical exam
• Police certificate
• Passport
• Digital photo
• Family information
• Electronic Travel Authorization or Visitor visa application

Since 2019 you also have to submit your biometrics. These are a collection of fingerprints, digital photo and personal information.

This applies only to citizens (applying for a Working Holiday work permit) from Europe, Africa or the Middle East. The Canadian Immigration website explains it very well here. You’ll need to find the VAC centre closest to you: It is possible there isn’t one (yet) in your country. You’ll have to go to the one closest to your country then. 

6. You’re ready to go to Canada! Yay!

Immigration will verify your documents and might ask for some extra information. Once your application is approved, you’ll receive a port of entry (POE) letter. Show this letter at the border services officer in Canada and he’s the one who will give you your work permit. Now you’re ready to work and travel in Canada!

Discover one of my absolute favourite hikes in Canada. My multi day trip to Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park: A week in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park.

Good to know regarding the Working Holiday visa for Belgians! Belgium is very strict and I wasn’t allowed to get on the plane in Brussels with my approved Working Holiday visa. I almost missed my flight, because I had to apply for an eTA on the spot. Luckily it got approved in 20min and I could go back to check in, run to the plane and fly to Canada.

On a bit of a silly side note: in all the hurry and little bit of panic I ran on one of those moving walkways in the terminal…in the wrong direction. Imagine: me and my hand luggage and jacket running the wrong direction. I smacked on the floor and was carried back – on hands and knees – on that thingy. Not my best moment. But I made the plane! I would hate it if this happens to you too, so I recommend applying also for an eTA even when your Canadian Working Holiday visa has been approved – just in case.

How much chance do I have being invited to apply?

Every country in the IEC programme has a yearly quota. This is based on an agreement your country has with Canada. For many countries (like Belgium, where I’m from), the demand is way higher than the quota. This means that not everyone who wants the visa will get it.

The quota for how many people can come on the WH to Canada is different for all countries. Some examples:

• Belgium: 750
• Australia: unlimited
• New Zealand: 2500
• UK: 5000

You can find information about the quota and your chance on getting accepted on the immigration website. Just select your country on the top right.

Be prepared for winter in Canada. It gets very cold, so make sure you have the appropriate clothing.

How To Survive Winter in Canada?

How long will my Canada work and travel visa be valid?

You can either get 12 or 24 months, depending on your country of citizenship. For example New Zealand, UK and Australia can stay two years in Canada, Belgians only 1 year.

How much money do I need to apply for a working holiday visa in Canada?

You’ll spend the most money on the application itself. Besides that you don’t need to pay much to travel and work abroad.

• Application cost: about CAD $250.
• Proof of funds: you have to be able to show you can sustain yourself. They ask to have about CAD $2500 in your bank. That said, I was never asked to show this.
• Biometrics: CAD $85.
• Police certificate: in Belgium it’s free and easy to obtain from your city. In other countries you might have to pay a fee.
• Insurance: you need insurance for the time you’ll be in Canada. This is easy to buy online.

Extra tip: stay even longer in Canada

If you want to get even MORE out of your time in Canada, you can ask the border officer at your first entry to give you a visitors visa and to not let your work and holiday visa start yet. This way you can first travel around for 3 months, maybe do a quick visit to the US and let your work visa in Canada start afterwards. I did this – and the border guy was fine with it. And if they say no – well, you tried!

Happy travels to Canada!

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Disclaimer: this post was sponsored by VisumBuitenland.be

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There are plenty of occasions when you need a present for a friend or a family member. Christmas, Valentine, birthdays, graduations… You know they like hiking, but wat to gift them? “Should I buy a jacket? Or a pair of hiking socks? Or maybe a camping cooking set?”

These are good ideas, but let’s be honest: they aren’t really original. If you want to take a different road, have a look at these 7 original gifts for hikers and outdoor lovers. Surprise them with something different. Believe me, they’ll be happy! (I know I would )

1. DIY hiking gift basket

Have you ever thought of creating your own hiking basket? You can add as much as you want. To get you started: buy some cereal bars, water purifying pills, a water bottle, a warm buff, a map, head torch… The list is endless and it works for any budget. You decide how many items you include and how much money you spend.

For the perfect finish you can even buy a cool fanny pack to put all the different gifts in. I love making and giving presents like these. They’re way more creative and personal.

2. Personalised outdoor clothing

You can never go wrong with some good outdoor clothing. But what about making it extra special? The team at Decathlon offers a personalisation service. For only a few euros extra you can print a text or design on a shirt, jacket or even gloves.

I got my boyfriend and photographer Nico a jacket with his logo. Now he can be recognised even if he doesn’t want too. It looks just amazing! Don’t you think so?

To surprise my little brother I had some running shirts made. On both of them it said: “Team De Brauwer”, because we’re an awesome team.

He opened the gift and got a big smile all over his 13-year-old face! His mum reacted: “You should get one for your dad too, so you can all go running together”. Wouldn’t that be a great sight?

I’m a big fan of personal gifts. You’re doing that little extra for someone you love. Which is why I like Decathlon’s personalisation print service. I love the quality and the uniqueness it. It’s the perfect original and outdoorsy gift!

For more information about giving your clothes and gifts a personal touch, have a look here: Decathlon personalisation.

3. Give a survival course!

Give one of the ultimate gifts for hikers: survival training. After a quick google search you’ll notice that there is something for everyone.  You can find half day, one day, two day or even week-long courses.

Go for a bushcraft or foraging course; or choose the more adventurous mountain expedition skills training. Your family member or friend will learn essential survival skills and you know that you’ll always be safe when you’re out on an adventure with them. Win-win. Isn’t that a good investment of your money?

4. A camera to capture your adventures

Do you have a large budget available? Then look into buying a camera. Get a DSLR if the lucky one is into photography. If they would just like some memories of their outdoor adventures for fun, you can go for a compact camera or gopro. It’s a lot of fun to take some shots of your hikes and adventures.

I use a Canon 70D and have been happy with it for quite a few years now. I went with Canon because I knew their cameras were good for videography, which I was doing a lot back then. The 70D is a good semi-professional camera and great for making videos and taking pictures. It is a bit heavy taking it up the mountains though. There are now a lot more and lighter camera’s on the market, like the Sony cameras. If you want to surprise your friend or family member with a camera, I recommend taking them to the shop – this way they definitely get something they love.

5. Tickets to Reel Rock or Banff Mountain Film Festival

Get inspired by the most adventurous people at the Reel Rock or Banff Mountain Festival. You’ll see short (and long) documentaries about adventurers on a wild expedition, beautiful parts of the world and incredible stories from incredible people. And it’s a fun night out for the two of you!

There are screenings worldwide. Have a look if there is one nearby you. Do you want to go all the way to Canada? Here is an overview with some hikes to do: hiking Canada.

6. Buy a membership

Get active! Even better: do it together. Climbing, kayaking, sailing, rowing, the list is endless. Maybe your friend has been thinking of going climbing for a long time, but never followed up on it. This is the moment! Give them a membership and they’ll be happy that you pushed them in following up on their plans and dreams.

7. Go on an adventure together

Because there’s nothing more fun than going on an adventure with a loved one. They like to bike? Prepare a biking trip. They like to hike? Organise a surprise hike up a mountain. Take some tasty snacks or even a bottle of wine if you wish, and watch the sunset together on top of the mountain. Those are the moments they will remember, way more than any material gift. And you will too.

It’s the simple and personal things that mean the most.

There you go, those were my top gifts for hikers. Did you find something you like? Or do you know some other unique gifts? Let me know in the comments below!

This article is sponsored by Decathlon Belgium. All opinions are, as always, my own! Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which supports this site without costing you anything extra. Thanks for helping me buy my coffee 

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Feels familiar? Time flies. Is it because I’m getting older? Is it because I pack too many things in one year and don’t reflect enough? Or is it just because that’s life and time flies?

I can’t remember the last time I’ve been bored. I always have something to do, somewhere to go or something to think about. Especially last year. 2018 was a year of many changes. From Canada to Belgium and Italy, from Georgia to France, and in between of that a splash of New Zealand.

1. A cold start: Canada

I’ll be honest. The year started on a low for me. New Year’s Eve plans fell through when the freezing cold (I’m talking about – 40 degrees Celsius here) decided to numb our car. We got stuck at an AirBnb in a small village with nothing around (not even a bar) and nowhere to go. After a few months in the cold in Canada you start to understand how cold it gets. Especially because at the beginning of winter we were still road tripping in our van. I’m not going to lie, it was tough sometimes.

There were also a lot of good moments, especially when we headed out to explore the gorgeous scenery. I was made sure to wear multiple layers, otherwise you will really freeze some limbs. Be prepared if you plan on visiting Canada in winter! Find some information on what to wear here:

How To Survive Winter in Canada

One of our highlights was 3 day trip to Lake O’Hara. Experiencing Lake O’Hara in winter was pretty amazing. Compared to the crowded summer, it was peaceful with almost nobody else around. Such a beautiful location!

2. Our temporary home: Canmore

For most people Canmore doesn’t really ring a bell. It’s a lovely, small town in the Rocky Mountains nearby the more famous Banff. Nico and I based ourselves a few months in Canmore, since travelling around in a van was just too cold.

I highly recommend visiting it. It feels a bit unique than touristy Banff. We enjoyed the little town and in between our freelance work Nico and I climbed some peaks.

One of those crisp and cold days we hiked up Lady Mac, the famous mountain you see from the centre.

3. Back to the sun in May

When the first magic of the Canadian winter wonderland fizzled out and with temperatures continuing to be under -15 (with peaks to -40) for more than 2 months, we decided to leave Canada. We were just over the cold and snow.

The summer in Canada had been amazing, but turned out winter wasn’t our cup of tea. At the same time spring was starting in Europe, with warm temperatures and beers on terraces. So on my birthday in April we decided to leave Canada later that month. Our trip in Canada ended after 9 months. It was definitely an adventure, but we were ready to go back to Europe.

But not without a quick stopover in San Francisco and Yosemite!   

San Francisco is kind of the city of my dreams. I’m attracted to the vibrant community, the progressive thinking and the creative scene. The fact that Yosemite isn’t too far away doesn’t hurt either.

Yosemite will always stay special to me. I just let my friends in San Francisco know I’m visiting and lucky me, they organise a hiking weekend in Yosemite. I absolutely love that about these times, that you have friends and a network all over the world.

4. Wine and cheese, please!

In May I arrived in Europe. Since cheese is quite expensive in Canada, I let myself go those first few days in France at Nico’s family home. Wine and cheese, cheese and wine, a croissant, baguette… It also felt great to feel the sun touch my face and not having to wear five layers of clothing.

I went to Bordeaux, Montpellier and Saint-Emilion. The south of France is lovely and a thought popped up: “It wouldn’t be so bad living here…”

5. Adventure in the mountains

Before choosing a place to live in Europe it was time to travel and work. I teamed up with Decathlon and Audi Belgium for a trip to the Dolomites. Nico at the same time was working with Osprey and Exped. Those two weeks in the Dolomites were amazing and a bit exhausting. The area is incredible (go visit!!), but we had a full schedule to get our shots and content.

We had so much fun. This via ferrata was one of my highlights. I like climbing, hanging on ladders and a good dose of adventure.

6. Exploring Georgia

From Italy we flew almost directly to Georgia. Yes, the country. What an experience! Arriving in a country where you don’t speak the language is amazing. It feels much more like travelling than when you go to English-speaking countries. The people were the kindest, the nature was beautiful and the capital is vibrant. I can’t wait to share my Georgia posts later this year.

7. Back to the south

You know how I said that I wouldn’t mind living in the south of France? Well, turned out that that idea would be put into action. I took an editor job at a travel company in Aix-en-Provence – a lovely little city in the southeast of France.

Having our base in Aix we were able to discover the region little by little. Less than half an hour away you find Marseille, the Calanques and the Mediterranean Sea. We also did a hike in Gorge du Verdon, a climber’s paradise.

I’ve never experienced such a nice fall and winter as I have in the south of France. Those sunny days and warmer temperatures really make a difference.

8. New Zealand bound

In October Nico flew two months to New Zealand to work on a big project. The lucky bastard… But actually this was for me the perfect excuse to visit New Zealand too. One year and a few months after leaving New Zealand I was ready to visit it again. I had my list of hikes ready and people I wanted to see.

It was a busy (and unfortunately short) trip, but I loved every second of it. It felt like I had never left. The people were still as lovely and nature still as amazing.

9. Ending 2018 with a bang

Back in Europe the editor work came to an end and I got a new exciting freelance project for a Belgian company. Sometimes life runs so smooth. The project was (and is, because I’m still doing it while I’m writing this) mostly remote, with a few project meeting in Brussels. This tied in perfectly with the timing of the year: Christmas! I’m a family person and deeply enjoy spending time with my amazing family.

For New Year’s Eve I wanted something different though. We checked if any of our European friends wanted to do something different for the end of the year. Check! We ended up meeting friends in Cologne for the perfect end of a busy and interesting year.

As you can see, I didn’t sit still in 2018. I’m already excited and curious about 2019.

Bring it on 2019!

How was your year? Did you go on any adventures? Let me know in the comments!

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Lake O’Hara is probably one of the most famous places in the Canadian Rockies. Its big and beautiful blue lake, impressive mountains and wildlife are definitely a must-visit on your road trip in Canada. In winter it is a totally different sight than in summer. The lake is frozen and covered in snow and the mountains have a white coat on.

If you want to escape the crowd or if you couldn’t secure a camping spot in summer, then go for a visit in winter.

“But… it’s so cold.”

Worried about the cold? I see your point. It can get extremely cold in winter. Temperatures of -30C are no exception. But don’t worry, you can stay in the Elizabeth Parker Hut to warm up at the fire and to escape those freezing temperatures.

Hiking to Lake O’hara in Winter

In summer you can take a bus from the carpark to Lake Ohara, but in winter you don’t have that luxury. The buses usually drive until September or October. You can find the exact dates on the park website.

The road is groomed and easy to hike, snowshoe or (nordic) ski. I walked on snowshoes and my friends were skiing. The track to the lake is 11km and takes about 3 hours. Walking on an old fire road isn’t very exciting, but it is the only way you can reach Lake O’Hara in winter.

In case you’re going on a very cold day, I recommend to not take long breaks. A short stop to eat a cereal bar is fine, but if you stand still too long your sweat cools down and you’ll get cold. In cold conditions like that it is important to keep moving. But let’s be honest. A winter trip to Lake O’Hara isn’t about the hike in. That hike is pretty boring, following a long road with a few turns. It’s about the place itself and being immersed in nature by mighty mountains.

Elizabeth Parker Hut

Depending on what time of the year you stay at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, you might have to dig a path to the entrance. This hut is big, but without losing its cosiness.

The Elizabeth Parket hut has a fireplace (which is very appreciated in winter), a large kitchen and a huge bunk bed for up to 20 people. Next to the big hut there’s also the second, smaller Wiwaxy Cabin. This cabin also has a fire and is geared towards smaller groups.

Winter wonder photo land

My friends and me stayed two nights at the hut, giving us plenty of time to have a look around and to really take in this beautiful place – trust me, you’re going to love it!

The hut is located on a wide space, giving you views on many mountains. Take your camera out, follow some tracks and start snapping. Even right outside the hut you’ll get plenty of photo opportunities. The hut itself is also a beauty, especially if you find it halfway covered in snow. Add some gorgeous sunset light and you have to pinch yourself to know this is real.

Walk 15 minutes to the lake and enjoy the mountain views. The little cabins at the lake are quaint and adorable, but quite expensive. In winter they are closed, and make the perfect scenery for some photography.

There are plenty of walks in the area, which I highly recommend doing (depending on the weather). When we visited O’hara it was a bit too cold, so we didn’t do big expeditions. We stayed in the surroundings of the hut and the lake. We had already hiked the area in summer, so didn’t necessarily needed to do those again. When you deal with extreme temperatures, even the easiest hikes become difficult, so always be prepared if you decide to go out!

Important: wear snowshoes or skis when walk on the lake. The snow is often very soft, making you sink knee-deep in the snow (and that’s no fun!).

As I said, it’s cold in winter but there’s also an advantage: sunrise is late(r) and sunset is early. Perfect for the photography lovers under you.

Booking the Elizabeth Parker hut

Lake O’Hara is very popular. In summer it is overrun by tourists and it’s hard to find a spot on the campground. If you want to experience this place in a different and calmer setting: winter it is!

The campground is closed in winter and you have to book your place in the hut online. You can do that here. Usually it should be fine to book a bed in winter, but don’t wait until the last moment. There are a lot of sporty Canadians checking out Lake O’hara.

Note: it sometimes happens that the hut isn’t fully booked, although it says differently online. When we spent two nights at Elizabeth Parker, only half of the hut was filled, although online it was fully booked. Draw your own conclusions, but you might be lucky if you decide to go without a booking. Just know there might be a warden and that you’re obligated to pay a fee for your night at the hut.

Summer at Lake O’hara is a totally different story. An article with the coolest summer hikes and tips next is coming in spring.

Practical Information to visit Lake O’Hara in winter

Getting to Lake O’Hara

The trailhead is located in between Lake Louise and Field. It’s only a 10minute drive from Lake Louise to get to the car park. Leave your car and take the $15 shuttle bus (in summer) or hike in 11km. The trail follows an old fire road and goes slightly uphill. After 2,5-3 hours of walking you will see the campground to your right. Not much later you arrive at The Relais, a little café cabin where you can get a hot chocolate or a piece of their famous carrot cake. From there you can either go direction of the lake or direction of Elizabeth Parker hut.

Weather & clothing

The weather is a key factor when hiking to Lake O’Hara. Yoho National Park is known for its long, cold winters. You always have to be prepared for any condition, since the weather in the mountains is always unpredictable

When I was there, temperatures dropped to -27degrees Celsius. I was prepared and had the clothing and gear I needed.  If you have never hiked in these conditions I recommend to start with some smaller walks to get used to the cold. Ready to go hiking in winter? Check out how to be prepared: winter in Canada.

Accommodation options

In order of least expensive to most expensive you can either choose for a day walk, a night on the campground, the huts or the lodge. In winter the campground is closed, which leaves the Elizabeth Parket hut and the Lake O’Hara lodge. The hut is $40 for non- Alpine Club members in winter and $45 in summer.

A room in the lodge will cost $730, with food and afternoon tea included. The most luxurious lakeshore cabins are $1035 per night.

Wildlife

There are no bears in winter! Hurray! No need to worry about a possible bear encounter. In summer it is VERY important that you bring your bear spray and know how to act when bumping into one. Lynx’ – a wild cat – on the other hand don’t hibernate in winter. They are very shy, so the chance you’ll see one is therefore quite small.

Ready to for a walk in fairytale land? Start planning your trip to Lake O’Hara in winter!

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I was 26, quit my job and got on a plane with destination: other side of the world. I was ready for a new adventure: a 1-year trip to Australia and New Zealand. I wanted to travel by myself and explore the world.

That year turned into many more. Although I promised my mum to not fall in love on the other side of the world, I couldn’t help it. When I visited New Zealand I met Nico and I ended up staying more than 3 years. Sorry mum…

Seeing new places, meeting people, doing fun and crazy activities got me writing and sharing those experiences on my website. I can’t believe it has been FIVE years.

More than I expected

My travel blog developed into something bigger, which I never expected or which wasn’t even my goal. I just wanted to share moments and places with family at home. Not only has my knowledge of the world improved, my photography got a great deal better too.

My blog has brought me many places and I am so grateful for every single moment. I ended up working with many companies and brands and can’t believe what I got to do. Flying in helicopters over the New Zealand mountains, discovering Belgian quaint villages, driving through the Italian mountains, staying in luxury lodges in the Canadian parks, going canyoning and documenting a kiwi release are just a few of them.

Sometimes I pinch myself or tell Nico how lucky we are to be able to experience these things. We’re so privileged, but we know it.

If I would die tomorrow (but let’s hope not), I can say that I have truly lived. I have no regrets and gave it all to get everything out of life.

Want to get inspired? Here are a few links to some of my favourite adventures:

A Week in Mount Assinboine National Park – Canada

Visit Dinant: Belgium’s little gem

Everything you need to know to hike to Liverpool Hut – New Zealand

How to spend a romantic weekend in Queenstown? – New Zealand

Hiking Roys Peak in Wanaka – New Zealand

Before I end this little bloganniversary I wanted to say thank you. For being there and for following my adventures. I hope you all get inspired and start thinking about your next adventure. Thank you.

And as always, if you have any questions or want to get in touch: flick me a message.

Love, Lieselot

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I can imagine some of you don’t have enough time when visiting Wanaka. I know the feeling; there is so much to see, and never enough time. Well, if you don’t have time for a big walk, then go for a short one like Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain. It takes less long and will already give a good taste of the beautiful views in Wanaka.

It took me a few times to visit Wanaka (and tick some other hikes off my list) before I hiked Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain. When some friends visited me I saw the time right to hike up this little beauty! They had already conquered Roys Peak and Roys Glacier and we were feeling a bit lazy – so Diamond Lake it was!

Don’t think it’s easy peasy when you read ‘lazy’. What I mean is that this trail is easy and doesn’t take very long.

Diamond Lake Wanaka: lookouts galore

The advantage of going up Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain is that there are a few rewarding viewpoints, and you basically can turn back whenever you want (without being disappointed).

If you’re just looking for a stroll, do the Diamond Lake circuit, taking you around the little lake. The views are better from above though, so if you have time hike to Diamond Lake lookout, where you see the lake from above. It has a nice, round shape and often awards you with nice reflections. You don’t see Lake Wanaka yet. There is a platform to take a little rest and soak in the view.

Then it’s time for the next lookout: Lake Wanaka lookout. Follow the track to the right and about 20 minutes later you have a stunning view on Lake Wanaka and its surrounding peaks. There’s a bench to enjoy the view and have some lunch.

To the top: Rocky Mountain!

Some people only hike until the first or second viewpoint, but if you want some better views I recommend to keep going. Follow the trail up, along the mountain and before you know it you’ll be on the top of Rocky Mountain. How awesome is that name by the way!

Enjoy the magnificent views on Lake Wanaka, have a snack, take a rest and then you can start hiking down. This is a loop track, so you can explore a different trail on your way down.

Hiking details Diamond Lake and Rocky Mountain

It’s a very clear and easy trail to follow. You can definitely take kids or older people up if they have a basic level of fitness. The great thing is that you get rewarded very quickly, with the multiple viewpoints along the trail. You can choose to hike to wherever you feel like. Although I still highly recommend going to the very top!

Follow the track from car park and climb steadily up. You can choose to do a circuit around the lake (which is 2,5km) or you can keep going up to the Diamond Lake lookout (about 1h return).

Follow the track up until you can either go left or right. To the right you have the Lake Wanaka lookout, while the left track will guide you to the summit of Rocky Mountain (775m and 3h return). It is a loop track that will guide you nicely down another way!

How to get to the start of Diamond Lake Wanaka hike?

This trail starts from the Diamond Lake Carpark on Mount Aspiring Road. It’s a 20 minutes drive from Wanaka. You first pass Glendhu Bay, then West Wanaka Road (on your right side) and the carpark shows up 1,5km after you have passed W Wanaka Road.

It’s a large carpark, so you should have no trouble parking your car.

Want to read more about Wanaka, its surroundings and more hikes in the area? Have a look at some articles here: Wanaka

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For many people Italy equals wine, pasta and picturesque towns, but it’s also home to huge mountains. The Dolomites are one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and they’re waiting for you in northern Italy. Imagine steep mountains, beautiful lakes and winding roads. This beauty makes the Dolomites the perfect place for an incredible road trip.

In this extensive article (get ready!) I will share practical information, photo’s and my 4 favourite roads in the Dolomites, with map and a video!

You’ll be all set for your road trip in the Dolomites!

Where are the Dolomites?

The Dolomites are a mountainous area in the northeast of Italy, right under Austria, in the provinces of Belluno, South Tyrol and Trentino. With 18 peaks exceeding 3000 meters, it’s a real feast for your eyes. The little and winding roads through quaint villages make it the perfect destination for a road trip. 

People here speak Italian, German and Ladin. The latter is a Rhaeto-Romance language going back more than 2000 years. They speak it in schools and use it in public offices in certain places in the Dolomites. You sometimes forget you are in Italy, as you get a more Austrian vibe.

Learn some Ladin words!
How are you? = co vala?
Good morning! = bon dí!
Good night! = bona nuet!

A bit of history

If you’re a history buff, you’re in the right place. The Dolomites are also rich with World War I history. During the war, the Dolomite front was fought over between Italy and Austria. The challenging terrain made that the military had to be innovative, by using mine tunnels and via ferratas. They used the latter to carry soldiers and weapons up the mountains. A lot of the history remains visible in the mountains, like old trenches and tunnels.

In 2009 the Dolomites were also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, because of its beauty and uniqueness, and scientific importance in terms of geology. 

4 Roads You Can’t Miss On A Road Trip In The Dolomites

Who doesn’t love a good road trip, right? I absolutely love the area and have explored the Dolomites quite a bit, but on my very first road trip to the Dolomites a few locations stood out for me. Those are the ones I ‘m mentioning below, so you know where to go (and be impressed) on your trip. 

To be honest, wherever you go in the Dolomites there are cool roads, mighty mountains and quaint villages. But there are those few roads that are a bit better than others, and luckily for you I’m sharing them below. At the end of the article you can find my map with exact locations. Audi Belgium was so kind to let me use one of their Q5’s for this trip, which was a real pleasure with the mountainous terrain. 

1. The Great Dolomites Road

The most famous road is the Great Dolomites Road or Grande Strada delle Dolomiti in Italian. You can find some different routes online, but it stretches about 100km long and covers many, many beautiful areas. The Great Dolomite Road starts in Bolzano and ends in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

Itinerary:
– Go from Bolzano to Cardano, where you take the SS241 to Ponte Nova.
– Continue to Carezza, where you’ll pass the popular Lago di Carezza.
– Cross Passo di Costalunga to Vigo di Fassa.
– There you turn left on the SR48 to Canazei.
– From Canazei you go to Passo Pordoi, following a steep and winding road until Arabba.
– Continue on the SR48 through Livinallongo to Passo Falzarego.
– From Passo Falzarego you descend to the Ampezzo valley all the way to Cortina.

Enjoy the beautiful road to Passo Pordoi as seen from a drone!

Take your time to enjoy this road. There are lots of great viewpoints and resting areas to have a picnic. We did this road in a few days, since we made some stops and enjoyed little villages and took lots of photos. I recommend it doing this way, since you have more time to take everything in.

2. Sella Pass

Not far from the Great Dolomites road is Sella Pass. You’ll enjoy this beautiful drive with a great view on the huge Langkofel mountains. These mountains are also called Sassolungo or Saslonch, so don’t get confused if you suddenly hear a totally different name. The name actually means ‘long peak’, and you’ll get why when you have your eyes on it. They’re candy for the eye and are also nicely visible from the Val Gardena valley.

Where to find this road?

Follow the SS48 from Canazei, which turns into the SS242. This leads you to Sella Pass, with beautiful views on the Langkofel mountains. Find the exact location on the map below.

3. Passo Gardena

This road turns and turns and turns. Be prepared! Especially during summer, when lots of motorcyclists and cyclist use the road. Since I’m from Belgium, I’m not used to roads going up and down and keep on turning. I don’t think I’ve ever done this many turns during a holiday. Thank God for the Q5, which made driving in the Dolomites way more pleasant.

This mountain pass has an elevation of 2,136 meters. You can imagine the views will be nice from the top!

Where to find this road?

The Passo Gardena connects Selva in the Val Gardena valley with Corvara in the Val Badia valley. Look on the map for its exact location.

4. St. Magdalena

Finding this road and view was a bit of a challenge. We had seen a picture we liked on Instagram and tried to find the location. We often do this when going to new places. This little street in the Dolomites was no given and took us a bit of work.

After turning into a few wrong roads we finally found the correct spot. It was definitely worth the effort, since it was a beautiful view. So no need for you to try and figure out its exact location!

Where to find this road?

This little road is the Magdalenaweg. You go via the Magdalena village and then on to small roads. Have a look on the map for the exact coordinates. It’s a small street, so be comfortable driving on little roads.

Want to discover other beautiful locations in Europe? Have a look at Dinant, a cute and historic village in Belgium: Visit Dinant. 

Detailed Road trip in the Dolomites Map:

Why should I visit the Dolomites?

You have mountains, pasta and amazing roads all in one place. Should I say more? 

More seriously: the Dolomites are a destination with something for everyone. Whether you enjoy cycling, food, hiking or history, the Dolomites have it all. In general: if you enjoy nature, you’ll have a blast. There are lakes, mountains and great walking and biking tracks. A road trip in the Dolomites can link all of these activities together! Here is a list of activities to pursue when visiting the Dolomites. 

Via Ferrata

A via ferrata is – in my opinion – the coolest way to explore the mountains. I enjoy it even more than hiking, since it has a bit of everything: you hike and you climb. You basically use your legs AND hands – and you’re always rewarded with an incredible view, especially in the Dolomites. When you do a via ferrata, you follow a steel cable along a route on the mountain. With a via ferrata kit you attach yourself to the cable, protecting you from falling. Several via ferrata routes in the Dolomites date from World War I, when they were used to aid the development of troops.

Two via ferratas I highly recommend are Torre Toblino and the Oskar Schuster Steig. We wanted to do a few more, but the weather was very unstable and because we visited in June, some via ferratas were still closed because there was ice in the tunnels. 

We ended up doing the Torre Toblino, north of the Rifugio Locatelli and it was just incredible. I’m not exaggerating. If you aren’t very experienced, this is a great one to do. One prerequisite: you can’t be afraid of heights. The first part up you have to climb 17(!!) ladders, on the side of a mountain. I absolutely loved it. I’m working on a detailed description and video, which will come online later this year. 

The one I did a few years ago is called Oskar Schuster Steig to climb Sasso Piatto. It’s a bit of a hike to get to the start, but you’re rewarded with awesome views. You first take a cable car up to Langkofelscharte, do a hike and then the via ferrata begins. 

For most via ferratas you require equipment: a harness and via ferrata kit (to lock yourself to the ropes). Do you just want to try out an easy one? No problem. Google ‘via ferratas in the Dolomites’, and find great ones for people without experience. There are even routes just following tunnels, where you don’t need any equipment. If it makes you more comfortable, you can also join a guided tour.

Rock climbing 

There are lots of climbing routes in the Dolomites. It’s a real playground for rock climbers, there’s multi-pitch, trad climbing, big walls, steep faces – there’s something for everyone. The best time to go rock climbing is in summer, from July to September. 

Cinque Torri, Sella Towers, Vajolet Towers, Sassolungo, Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Sass Pordoi, all of them give great views. Find more detailed routes here.

Hiking 

The Dolomites are THE place to go hiking. I mean, how could they not, with all those mountains around? 

Hiking is the ideal activity in summer, autumn and spring.  The best time to hike in the Dolomites is from June to September. Try to avoid peak season (July and August), ‘cause there will just be too many people.

Each hike gives you access to some of the most beautiful scenery of the Italian Dolomites. Often you have to take a cable car up and then you have a myriad of hiking routes to choose from. 

Some hiking areas to check out:

• Seceda: cable car up, lots of different hikes along the top and down to the valley
• Cinque Torri: great place for history geeks. Drive up or take the cable car and explore the trenches of World War I. Besides impressive views, there’s lots of information signs about World War I. Interesting place!
• Tre Cime di Lavaredo: expensive toll road up, but gorgeous area. It’s a bit less green, but nice mountains and beautiful lake. 
• Selva to rifugio Puez: start at dantercepies cable car station
• Lago di Braies: aka Prager Wildsee. Clearblue, popular lake. Not really hiking, but nice walk along the lake.
• Lago di Sorapis: nice hike for people who aren’t afraid of heights.

Cycling

Especially in summer you’ll see many cyclists. The steep and winding roads are a dream for cyclists. I would hate it and suffer, but I’ve seen many happy sweaty cyclists on the road. Be cautious when driving your car; there might be a cyclist nearby.

Another great cycling destination is St. Anton am Arlberg, in Austria. Read here to about a visit to St. Anton am Arlberg, mountain bike options included!

Photography

With mountains and lakes around every corner, the Dolomites are a photography walhalla. There are photography opportunities around every corner, but there are some locations you can’t miss. Make sure your camera batteries are fully charged when you’re out exploring! The Dolomites offer multiple photography opportunities, but make sure to put Tre Cime, Passo Giau, Langkofel, Seceda and St. Magdalena on your list.

When to visit the Dolomites?

This depends on the kind of activities you want to do. Summer gets very VERY crowded, so I suggest going in spring or early autumn. Unless you don’t mind getting stuck behind campervans. If you’d like to do via ferratas, then summer or early autumn (September) are best. In spring some of the routes aren’t accessible, because there is still ice and snow in the tunnels. 

Weather in the Dolomites

The Dolomites are perfect for year-round active adventures. Every season has something to offer.

In every season the mountain areas will get some rain – that’s the way it goes in the mountains. Also note that in the mountains the weather can change quickly, so always be prepared. It will also be quite a few degrees colder in up there than down in the valley.

Where to stay in the Dolomites?

To get the real Dolomites experience I recommend to stay in villages or small cities. Therefore I would avoid Bolzano. I’m listing three locations that I enjoyed and recommend. 

Ortisei

You find this picturesque, small village right in the centre of the Dolomites, in Val Gardena. The colourful buildings, carved wooden structures and cosy streets are a pleasure to discover. The pedestrian zone invites you to do some window shopping and try out some local delicacies. Take your hiking boots with you, because this is a real hiker’s paradise. 

I highly recommend staying at some of my friends’ accommodations: Villa Quenz Family Suites, this is especially recommended if you’re going with a family. For other accommodation options, have a look here.

Cortina d’Ampezzo

Surrounded by high mountains, Cortina is the ideal starting point for many hikes, cable cars and other activities. It is mostly known as a ski destination, but definitely worth a visit in other seasons too. 

Accommodation in Cortina D’Ampezzo: discover here.

Santa Maddalena (St Magdalena)

This small and peaceful village is the perfect spot to spend a night. Careful, there is also a Santa Maddalena more northeast, close to the border with Austria. Make sure that you don’t book in the wrong village. 

Lastly, you can also rent a camper van and sleep at campgrounds or designated rest areas. Freedom camping is not allowed. We switched between staying in a tent and in hotels/B&B. 

Some final extra tips:

If you’ve made it this far in the article, I think you can handle a few more extra tips!

• The parking fees and cable cars can be quite expensive. If you’re staying at a hotel, make use of the guest cards offered by most hotels in the area. They usually include free public (local) transport and give discounts on cable car rides. 
• The currency in Italy is the euro. In most places you can pay by card, but it’s always good to have some cash on you, especially when visiting smaller villages. You find ATM’s in most villages.
• To all the Brits and Australian/kiwi’s: People drive on the right side of the road. Roads are well maintained. In summer it gets quite busy, with a lot of cyclists and motorbikes on the road. Be extra cautious. There are fuel stations in most villages. 

How to get to the Dolomites? 

Since this article is about going on a road trip, I assume that the majority of you arrive by car. Nonetheless, I’m sharing some public transport options, since it is quite straightforward. 

To Bolzano, from Innsbruck

By car: 125 km – approx 1h30. Straightforward route, passing Brennero/Brenner (A13) and Bressanone/Brixen (A22) 

Don’t forget  – if you’re driving in Austria, you will need a road tax sticker to drive on motorways and on the S16. There is no road tax sticker in Italy. There is a toll to pay though in Italy! When you exit the toll road (autostrada) you must pay the toll. Do not use the Telepass lane.

By public transport: there are plenty of trains available between Innsbruck and Bolzano. On our last visit we took a train from Innsbruck to Bolzano, which took 2 hours and was 9 euro per person. You can find tickets on Öbb (Austrian railway) and the Trainline (that’s the two I use).

To Cortina D’Ampezzo, from Venice

By car: 267 km – approx 2.5-3h – drive direction of Padua, then follow to Verona and Trento until you reach Bolzano. If you have time, drive along Lake Garda (Lago di Garda) for some extra nice views from your car window. Go direction of the lake after you pass Verona. If your plane arrives in Treviso airport you can skip Padua and Verona and go straight to Trento (via Feltre).

By public transport: Train prices are between 9-30 euro, depending on the day, time and how much you book in advance. You’ll reach Bolzano in 2.40h – 4h, with a transfer in Verona. (tickets via Trenitalia or the Trainline)

To get good prices, you do have to do a bit of searching and compare different days and times. For example the train ticket of 9 euro was another time of the day 30 euro. 

I also found this handy bus routes schedule in Val Gardena, in case you are taking the bus there: bus.

Getting around by public transport is easy, you just need a bit of patience. Buses and trains aren’t always on time, but it is easy to get from village to village. If you have to make a transfer, take enough time into account, because your train might be delayed. I would go for a minimum of 30 minutes between train

Is it your first road trip and you’re a bit nervous about how to get ready? Read up on how to prepare for a road trip here. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up in the Dolomites! 

Unfinished business

Every time I leave the Dolomites I’m already thinking when my next visit could be. I’ve been three times so far and every time my road trip in the Dolomites was over before I knew it. I really could spend a few months in this mountain paradise and I will be back!

Are you ready for your road trip in the Dolomites? Let’s start packing!

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The car for the first road trip to the Dolomites was sponsored by Audi. All opinions are, as usual, my own. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, which supports this site without costing you anything extra. 

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