There’s hardly anything better than a climbing trip with the children in late autumn: the air is crisp, the sky is clear, and your breath rises in thick clouds. You rub your hands together to warm them up before climbing, and warm your climbing shoes under your jacket.
On days like these, you often have whole sections all to yourselves. It feels as though nature is sitting back contentedly, waiting for winter. If the kids aren’t put off by the cool temperatures, it’s a marvellous family outing – rosy cheeks and a natural sleepiness come as free bonuses.
We’ve picked out three climbing areas that are popular in summer and just as appealing in autumn. And if it does get a bit too chilly for the kids, we’ve included a tip for warming up for each area.
Text: Susa Schreiner
In the Seefeld region, the Flämenwandl in Leutasch is a real draw. Admittedly, with its north-facing aspect, the wall is really only suitable for die-hard climbers in late autumn. On the other hand, the Puitbach climbing car park is just a five-minute walk away – so if it gets too cold, you can quickly get back to the car’s heating.
At a glance:
To warm up: you can play fun running games on the way to the crag. And on the gravel bank of the Leutascher Ache river next door, bread on a stick and sausages taste great – please only light fires where permitted and be aware of the current forest fire risk.
Take in the mountain air one last time before the snow arrives – with moderate walking times and a mountain hut to warm up in. You can do just that with the Rofanbahn at Lake Achensee. Tip: Check the autumn operating hours in advance.
At the top, there are no fewer than four family-friendly climbing areas. If you’ve got late risers at home, it’s worth getting up early – that way, you can tackle all four in a single day:
To warm up: Hot chocolate and a cosy mountain hut atmosphere await you at the Erfurter Hütte, right next to the Rofanbahn top station.
Want the whole family to have a great time? Then head to Längenfeld | Oberried in the Ötztal valley.
At a glance:
As the wall faces east, it’s a good idea to bring warm jackets and a flask of hot tea for the shady afternoon hours.
And what if, after all that climbing and romping about, the cold really does get into your bones? Then don’t head straight home – head to the Aqua Dome instead – conveniently, the spa is also in Längenfeld. In the children’s area, the cold is quickly forgotten whilst sliding down the slides, and the grown-ups can loosen up their climbing muscles again in the sauna area.
Tips & Safety
Would you like to find out more about safety when climbing? Click here for our safety tips.
