This year, our hiking trip unfolded on August 24th. We met in the morning to take a bus to the lovely village “Puchberg am Schneeberg”, where our day tour should begin. After a small break, we took a 40-minute ride with the charming green-yellow railroad known as the “Salamander”, which transported us comfortably to an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level.
After a small gathering, where everyone had the chance to get to know each other a little bit, we embarked on our ascent to the Fischerhütte. We were lucky to be gifted with exceptional weather this day, allowing us to enjoy the breathtaking panorama and the beautiful views of the surrounding area. The day was filled with friendly conversations, a lot of fun, music and cultural exchanges amongst the hikers.
Pausing for a well-deserved rest at the Fischerhütte, we were treated to an assortment of local dishes, including the hearty "Leberknödelsuppe" (liver dumpling soup) and the savory "Käsespätzle" (cheese spaetzle), complemented by refreshing sips of elderflower juice. Happy and refreshed, we gathered our strength for the last part of the route before we finally got on the Salamander that took us downhill again to our starting point.
We are very happy and fulfilled to have spent this beautiful day together with our scholarship holders and their companions and we are looking forward to future events and possibilities to connect.
Here are some of our scholar's comments:
It was really an amazing experience talking to people across different fields while enjoying the stunning views!
It was wonderful hiking, thank you Katharina and Stefanie for family approaches, support and love you showed us. Thank you @my OeAD for organizing this event, so inspiring, so fresh and natural place!
The hike was incredibly enjoyable and provided a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know each other better, sharing our diverse research expertise amidst the beauty of nature. A heartfelt thank you to OeAD for organizing this memorable experience.
I am very happy that I went hiking with Stefanie and Katharina. They were amazing guides, always in a good mood, asking how everyone feels and always ready to help; it was a pleasure to communicate with them. The trip was well planned, and we were very lucky with the weather. After hiking and seeing amazing landscapes we had a nice time with tasty food in Fischerhütte. My mother and I are very grateful for this unforgettable experience :)
