Lake Achensee summer trail etiquette
The mountains surrounding Lake Achensee are amazing and will remain so thanks to our responsible visitors and locals. There is no need for warning signs or bans, and certainly no tutorials - we all know the proper code of conduct in the mountains. Nevertheless, we want to share some smart tips to refresh your knowledge:
During the mountain summer at Lake Achensee, it goes without saying that everyone takes their rubbish back with them so as not to annoy people or wildlife. A huge network of hiking trails runs through the mountainous terrain and every hiker knows that unfortunately, there is no rubbish collection. The huge vehicles couldn’t be low enough in emission to be allowed into our natural world which deserves protection. This is the reason why there are no rubbish bins on the mountaintops.
Time and time again, our four-legged friends put us to the test. But such a moral authority is actually not bad. It is well known that many dogs get annoyed with their owners if they don't clean up after them. How is a dog supposed to collect poo? Have you ever tried to use a dog poo bag without hands? Exactly. It is understandable that dogs are embarrassed if their droppings remain in the landscape - luckily there are some dog toilets in the Achensee region. Also, the marmots are not amused when they find dog poo or that the entrance to their burrow has been dug up. That’s why they keep reminding us – friendly but pointedly – that dogs must be leashed at all times.
A loud "moo!" can be heard from the pasture. It’s okay to return the greeting, but please speak quietly and don’t wave. Cows can be skittish, and sometimes they hit the wrong note. But we know this from our own perspective: We enjoy basking in the sun at the outdoor pool with our family and at regular intervals, cows keep walking over our towel, lapdog in tow. And most of them try to pet us, how annoying!
Summer in Tirol is not as hot as in the Sahara, and although the mountains at Lake Achensee are not made of sand, it can get quite dry. So dry that grill masters must abandon their favourite hobby and smokers must break their habit, because the heat can become unbearable. But really, the danger of forest fires should be blindingly obvious.
Apps, smart watches & digital hiking pins – technology plays an increasingly important role in outdoor recreation. Drones are also becoming more and more popular, sweetening up the day of the pilots: At last, seeing the mountains from a bird’s eye view or peeking over the fence of naturist areas! Even if some pilots are still not aware of the legal situation, one should have a little sense of privacy. Also, take-off and landing areas of paragliders are not suitable for extensive drone flights. Pilots have a very honourable occupation and should be able to claim proudly: "We all know that!"
Last but not least, there is one more issue which we don't have to point out anymore: proper tour planning. It goes without saying that you should start your hiking tour with enough water, food, and time. And it's also obvious that you should look up to the sky (or on your smartphone) from time to time to check the weather. And now we don't want to strain all your time with reading – get outdoors into nature already and have fun!
Just not too much!
Humour aside, let’s not ignore the seriousness of the issues raised. Time and again, incidents have occurred throughout the Alpine region because people were not properly prepared or exceeded their abilities. Our aim is to give you some tips on how to stay safe. Being in the outdoors involves risks, and although some issues may seem a bit trivial, such as “forgetting” your rubbish on the mountain, the wrong behaviour can result in injury to yourself or others. Above all, don’t underestimate the dangers of forest fires and aggressive cattle. We don’t want to lecture our visitors, but proper conduct in nature is essential. We believe in common sense and that by following certain rules, everyone can have a great time. Enjoy the beautiful, memorable experience of being outdoors in nature!
