I just had a few main aims on my birthday this year – to go up a mountain, come back down said mountain a bit later, read a book for at least an hour in peace, and to have a glass of champagne and maybe eat some chocolate at some point, that was honestly it…
Location wise, thankfully all of the above was possible. I even managed (almost) an hour’s peaceful reading while the baby slept in the late afternoon – but by far the most memorable part of the day was the time we spent up here… My tiny butter cup eater was most appreciative!
Now, I am sure there are people who feel sorry for The Small people in terms of some of the places we have taken them to. How can Japan be interesting for children for example? Why do we constantly drag our children around cities like Vienna or Budapest? And what on earth would possess us to make them trek around Berlin? The list goes on and on… But as for dragging them up mountains all the time?!
I like to feel I have answered a few of those questions in the links I have included above – but the mountain thing?How can they possibly be interesting for Small People? There’s nothing specifically aimed at them up there usually, especially when there’s no snow – just wide open nature and plenty of fresh fresh air…
Well, apart from secretly thinking that it’s actually a good thing for children to be a little bored from time to time in life (it is bloody boring at times isn’t it?) rest assured if we intentionally visit somewhere that might not be 100% of interest to the Small People, we will always make sure there is something aimed at them during the trip. They usually pick out the best bits of the guide books to decide what we see!
And when it comes to mountains in this part of the world, let me let you into a little secret… Of course there are alpine peaks that are left completely natural – and probably not that interesting if your children aren’t so much into nature and stunning scenery…
But then there are mountains like this, and the fantastic Hexnwasser in Soll, where clever people have created complete mountain top paradises for small people – environments that the adults with them get to enjoy too, even if they aren’t aimed at us…
This picturesque and quite dramatic looking Spruce Castle is hand carved (by Wood Sprites apparently, although we had some arguments over the German translation when one of our party insisted they were trolls, so it’s henceforth known as Troll Castle in our house!) and without a single piece of plastic in sight!! A fabulous way to spend an afternoon, made even better if you bring a picnic – or your own charcoal and BBQ food (they have thought of nearly everything!)…
We spent a lovely hour or so here once we had finished the “baby up a mountain” photo opportunity, and our relatively small hike (it was hot, and I had a lot to pack in if I wanted to tick everything off my birthday list!), where the Small People thoroughly enjoyed lots of climbing, plenty of exploration, and working out the answers to the wood sprite troll quiz (prizes collected from the top here or at the restaurant at the bottom) and getting soaked/cooling down in the water maze.
I even got to enjoy a moment in the shade (I am English after all!) to relax and enjoy the views whilst the Small Baby got in on the troll castle action with his dad… See, something for everyone!!
Then it was back down the mountain for chocolate consumption and a spot of champagne imbibing, and out of pure luck (not because it was my birthday!), strudel night at the hotel – quite possibly the best kind of birthday cake…
Tips:
- Take the cable car up to the second section of the Rosenalmbahn. Tickets cost around €30 return for a family of 4 (cheaper with the Zillertal Activ card) – don’t forget to pick up your troll quiz sheets here too.
- You can find the Troll Castle tucked away behind the cable car station;
- It’s a good idea to take lunch with you, there’s a vending machine (which also sells BBQ stuff!!) but not much else in the way of refreshment in the play ground. There is a little guest house a short walk away which looks good for lunch, but check the opening hours before you set out!;
- Don’t forget to take plenty of water and sunscreen with you;
- Good sturdy walking shoe are a must – tops of mountains are definitely not flip flop terrain, even if you are only going to visit a Troll Castle…
- A Zillertal Activ card will save you money on lots of things including cable cars, so pre-order it in advance, or pop into a tourist info stop /ask your hotel about this…
That looks amazing – we had some holidays in Austria when I was little and I remember so much beauty x x
It really is stunning. Thanks Cass! (:
This is looks amazing. I do envy all the places you drag your children. I spend a lot of time dragging mine to potentially boring places – life is boring sometimes, you have to find the small stuff, the details that make it less boring and sometimes it is the bigger stuff, the views, the whole picture that makes it more interesting. I hope I’ve taught my small boy this.
Late and belated birthday wishes.
That’s exactly it Gemma, I knew you would understand! :) and thank you xx
Well, I’m a huge believer in mountains for kids as I brought two up in the mountains and I’m sure I transfer a lot if that life over to the twins childhood barring the altitude. I love that castle, so intricate, magical
Thank you Mari. xx
Oh my goodness! We are considering Austria for a Summer holiday next year and this looks AMAZING!!! I am in love with trolls that carved that beautiful castle. Looks like a mighty fine birthday. Gorgeous baby pics too x
It really is a fabulous place for a summer holidays, thanks Kirsty! (:
Wow what an amazing place! Great for kids imaginations :) I’m of the same mind as you though, we take our girls everywhere. There is always fun to be had everywhere, on mountain tops, in cities, in the middle of a field! You just have to make it!
That’s totally what I think too. I just think some people imagine that if you have children you should only go to a beach each year, or to France or something! :D Thanks Lucy..
OMG Amy would absolutely freak out at that playground. How amazing is that? My mum and I were just talking about a family hiking holiday today and this looks perfect. We’ve been to a couple of different places in Austria, but this is somewhere we haven’t been yet, so that’s always a bonus :)
I know you would love this place Carolin! (:
What an amazing playground. And I could sit and stare at that Alpine view all day.
I would have done if I hadn’t had quite so much to do! :D Thanks R
It looks beautiful, I love the pictures, would be fab to take my family there one day, so pretty, love the expanse of green! x
Thanks Karen! It really is picture postcard perfect! (:
That looks AMAZING! My boys love nature and it dos kids good to make their own entertainment sometimes!
It definitely does! Thanks Jen! (:
Amazing amazing views. This makes me realise even more that I need to see more of Europe.
It is amazing. Thanks Stephanie! (:
That play park is EPIC! My older two would be on that all day, whilst I would be happily taking in the amazing views.
Brilliantly designed! :D Thanks Sarah
That is AMAZING! They must have been so excited to find it. I for one am quite envious of your kids and the wealth and depth of culture they are exposed to. I am also very glad you got your champagne…and strudel. BELATED birthday wishes lovely lady x
Thanks so much xx
Even without Spruce Castle I think mountains would be pretty amazing for the kids. All they need is wide open spaces and their imagination after all. Mich x
Exactly! Thank you Mich x