Our journey in Austria continued towards the west, with new exciting destinations awaiting. Driving in Austria was effortless, not much different from Finland, although mountain roads, of course, had their challenges. Nevertheless, the roads everywhere were in excellent condition.
As the evening approached, it was time to look for accommodation nearby. We had passed Innsbruck earlier, so we decided to continue forward rather than turning back.
In our typical fashion, we searched for accommodation somewhat last minute, and the options were quite limited. However, we found an interesting place, Innside Adventure Cabins & Camping in the village of Haiming, where we decided to stay.
It was some kind of cabin accommodation reminiscent of a campground atmosphere. There were small, charming cabins with only beds and a small porch or terrace. Showers and toilets were shared in common areas, typical of campgrounds. They were quite clean and served their purpose well. There was also a hot tub on site.
Behind the property, there was an unfinished castle-like building, which looked quite interesting, although we weren’t sure about its purpose. Was it meant to become something, or was it an unfinished project? There were also various outdoor games available, such as a giant chessboard.
Rafting is a popular activity in the area, and several companies offer it. You can even book a rafting trip from this accommodation. A short drive away was Hängebrücke Stams suspension bridge, which was definitely worth a stop. For the night, this accommodation cost 59 €.
Rosengartenschlucht Gorge (Rosengarten Gorge)
Our journey continued, and we planned to visit Rosengartenschlucht (Rosengarten Gorge), which was only a short drive from the previous night’s accommodation.
Rosengartenschlucht Gorge is a free attraction, and the trail starts from the village of Gemeinde Imst. The trail is 1.5 km one way, with a 250-meter elevation gain. Upon reaching the top, you can either return the same way or, like us, take a short detour back to Gemeinde Imst along the road.
The hiking trail in Rosengartenschlucht is stunning as it winds through the bottom of the gorge between towering cliff walls. A crystal-clear river flows in the middle, and the trail follows it. Along the way, you’ll find small waterfalls, bridges crossing the river, and sections where the trail passes through the cliffs. It’s advisable to wear sturdy shoes as some parts of the trail can be quite slippery due to wet rocks. Be cautious in these areas. Otherwise, the trail is well-maintained and easy to walk considering the amount of ascent.
We visited in mid-September, and the place was incredibly peaceful. Besides us, we only saw a couple of other people, so visiting off-season is definitely recommended! This is definitely a worthwhile place to visit in the area, offering a great day trip combined with a visit to the beautiful village of Gemeinde Imst.
Next, our journey continued to the west, but more on that in the next update.
