It is not for nothing that this magical place is a particularly popular destination and has long been a highly recommended excursion for hiking enthusiasts and families with children. That's why I would like to introduce you to the tour today if you are planning a trip to the Erika blossom in Upper Styria. In my blog post you will find all the important information and also our uncrowded hiking tour (at the bottom of the post as a Komoot tour).

The hike with this colourful view and the view of the surrounding mountains is really something special that you shouldn't miss out on.

The best time for this is in March.

Be sure to check out my reel on Instagram or Facebook:

Directions and parking options for the Erika blossom hike in Hinterlobming

It's easy to get there by car or public transport. There is a bus stop right at the start of my tour and there are also some free car parks right by the Musikheim. However, these are very quickly filled and there are also a lot of people down in the valley. However, we hardly met any people on the long hiking tour.

Tip: You can navigate directly to the start of the hike in the Komoot app.

Check out public transport right here:

The Erika blossom hike in Hinterlobming in St. Stefan ob Leoben

The hike through the picturesque forest with the beautiful flowers along the way was very pleasant. The first part of the hike is uphill along a forest road, where you can already see many flowers. At the top of the mountain, the trail unfortunately passes through a grazing area (watch out for the barbed wire fence) and you also pass an alpaca farm.

One request: Please be considerate of nature. Unfortunately, some people don't understand this and trample the flowers flat - but as nature-conscious hikers, we don't have to do that too, do we? You can also admire the full splendour from the side of the path.

Key data for the hike to the Erika blossom in Hinterlobming

To help you plan the tour yourself, I have summarised the most important information about the hike here.

Approx. 12 km
~ 500 hm
around 3.5 hours
Child and dog friendly
Free parking
not possible with a pushchair or wheelchair

ATTENTION: We expressly point out that we accept no liability for accidents or possibly closed paths. Check the availability of the trail before you set off and check your own fitness.

Refreshment stops during the hike to the Erika blossom in Styria

There are no refreshment stops on this hike. It's best to simply bring your own good snack and a nice coffee in a thermos flask – then you're definitely on the safe side.

Summary of the hike to the Erika blossom in Hinterlobming

The Erika blossom hike is really perfect for families. The flowers are simply magical and children also enjoy the sight of the sea of pink blossoms. The flowering period is in March/April - depending on the weather.

Make sure you save it and add it to your bucket list.

Komoot tour to follow yourself

Further recommendation

Did you like this post? Then I have another great hiking tip for you! Have a read here: Hike to the Kulmspitze: observation tower with a view of Lake Mondsee in the Salzkammergut region

Der Beitrag Erikablüte: Wanderung in Hinterlobming in der Obersteiermark am Matzlerberg erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

On 16.09 this year the Vienna Photo Marathon 2023 takes place. 12 subjects + a photo for your start number must be photographed in 12 hours. Since 2020, you can take part from anywhere, upload your photos at the end of the day using an upload code and send them off. A huge advantage for me, it not only makes it easier, but it's also much more interesting if you can choose where to take the photos. I'd like to tell you what it was like for me this year, what the themes were and how I felt about them in this article.

How did I approach the Vienna Fotomarathon 2023?

It was my fourth Vienna Fotomarathon and with every year I learn more, prepare better and take a calmer approach to the whole thing. Looking back: 2020 was my first competition, I didn't know what to expect, was completely stressed out and just started taking photos - 2021, the preparation was better, I put a few things together in advance, packed my photo studio and the stress level wasn't quite as high - 2022 everything was prepared, brainstorming and collecting ideas until 10:00 a.m. and then started. But what could I improve on, how could I prepare even better for this day? The plan for this year was the same as in previous years, with the difference that I thought of a great location with the help of Eli and Jasmin and photographed the themes as best I could in the same style. 

Start at 09:00 and off we went to Steyr, trying to realise the tasks in the style of street photography. Of course, I'm still an amateur photographer and not everything worked out as I had imagined. A few subjects made my brain cells smoke. There were also ideas that just didn't look good when realised and I had to spontaneously change my plan. All in all, I'm very happy with my performance and the photos and of course I hope to beat my personal best ranking this year. But just take a look for yourself at the following topics with my corresponding photos (unedited, just as they had to be submitted) and a little comment - I would be very happy to receive feedback on the photos, because that's the only way I can learn from my mistakes.

Here are the topics for the Vienna Fotomarathon 2023

0) Start number (can be made before the start)

Created and sighted completely by chance - kilometre 13

1) Planless

One of my top 3 pictures - I like the somewhat dark and gloomy style and in focus the lightened straw hat.

2) Anniversary

I think the photo is photographically very successful, but I had absolutely no idea about this task and wasted a lot of time on it - therefore not my favourite shots from this competition.

3) full of holes

The second of my top 3 - was a really funny moment. Standing in a dark alley wearing a mesh T-shirt that was far too tight and taking a photo. 

4) Ready.Action

Here, too, I think the photo is very successful, but the idea for the theme could be improved. What always bothers me in retrospect is that I always forget to take photos in black and white - would certainly have done this picture good. 

5) in secret

The last of my top 3 - I really like the idea and the photo is mega. Of course, there is certainly something else for many people to expose, but I would have these three photos printed out immediately and hang them up at home.

6) Contrast(s)

I also like it very much. Contrast of black and white - light and dark - wall and nature.

7) self-built

I also think it's very successful and a great idea for the theme - the only point of criticism that bothers me a little is that the self-build is a little too small in the photo, although it should be the centre of attention.

8) Animal(s)

Yes, what can I say, of course I think photos of Emma (my dog) are just gorgeous - but whether the idea is convincing or too unimaginative is up to the jury.

9) arrived

I also like it very much, although sometimes I look at it and something doesn't quite fit - but I can't work out what it is.

10) pointed

A pointed fence and an accidental find in the beautiful town of Steyr fit the theme perfectly.

11) Cohesion

Next to the „Anniversary“ task, this is my least favourite photo.

12) lost

Very close behind the top three. I think the idea and the realisation are great

Has anything changed since last year?

What has changed and I can't decide how I feel about it - the mobile phone competition didn't exist in 2023. On the one hand, I thought it was really great that people without camera skills but with an interest in photography could take part. As a result, there were more participants, more wonderfully realised themes and even more people who share a passion. On the other hand, I didn't like the fact that post-processing was allowed in the mobile phone competition. If you compare a camera photo, which must not be altered, with a mobile phone photo, which can be edited into a fantastically beautiful work of art with the right skills - then a photo from the camera can look a bit „bland“.

My personal opinion would be to bring back the mobile phone competition, but with the same rules as the camera competition. Not only can you then really judge photos according to the person's ability, no, even those who can't edit have the same chance of winning.  

The camera application

Photographs may only be taken in JPEG and with a maximum of 24 megapixels. All possible filters and colour settings (black and white) may be applied to the camera, but post-processing is not permitted. In other words, everything that can be adjusted before the shutter is released is permitted. Anything after the photo has been taken is an offence. Apart from the start number, the 12 topics must be worked through in sequence. This can lead to a huge disadvantage and problems. If you can't think of anything for the first topic, you can't continue. It is therefore not possible to skip a task and catch up on it later.

My conclusion

As every year, the Vienna Photo Marathon 2023 was a great event for me. I particularly enjoyed the topics this time, even though I got quite stuck with some of them. Which is always a great experience for me, as you have the same requirements every year, I've been able to track my improvement in photography over the last few years. I wasn't able to realise one or two tasks 100 % to my satisfaction, but from a photographic point of view I'm all the happier with my photos. Although the journey to Steyr took 2 hours, I was able to realise 12 themes in 12 hours and even have a few photos with me that I would count among my best photos.

Whether you are a professional, amateur or hobby photographer, the Vienna Photo Marathon is something for everyone. You get out of your comfort zone, you have to be creative and you use your camera in a way you wouldn't normally do. It's a huge change from everyday photography and, above all, it's great fun. The Vienna Fotomarathon was once again a great success for me and I'm already looking forward to next year and a great event in 2024.

Der Beitrag Der Wiener Fotomarathon 2023 erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

One day. One day, I packed my bags and travelled to Hallstatt - a goal that I had set myself time and again in the past and had not yet realised despite the „proximity“ to the idyllic lakeside town. Just under an hour's drive separates me from probably one of the most famous places in Austria and now the time had come - at the end of March, my girlfriend, my doggie and I made our way there.

Of course I packed my camera to practise a bit with my new „toy“ - after all, I've only had it for 3 months and am therefore still new to photography.

Journey to Hallstatt

If you want to get to Hallstatt, you have almost every option. The only thing you can't do is reach it by private jet or aeroplane.

What is possible, however, is travelling by car, bus or even train. However, if you arrive by train, you will find yourself at the other end of the lake and may then with the „Stefanie“ - the boat of Hallstatt Schifffahrt cross the lake.

The onslaught of tourist groups

We, as locals, who are of course not tourists - Attention! That was and is sarcasm. - We are particularly careful not to attract attention as undercover tourists. This means that all day long we unpack the deepest dialect that lies dormant somewhere inside us and respond to every question from the tourists travelling in buses with: „Ekskius mi - i vasteh ned wos du sogst.“ In German this means: „Excuse me, I don't understand what you're trying to tell me. (ger.)“.

Followed by „Außadem bin i grod muats drawig!“, which means nothing other than: „I'm also in a hurry at the moment!“

Joking aside - of course we are tourists too and behave accordingly with respect for the locals and nature. Being a tourist doesn't mean being able to do everything lawlessly. Nor does it mean being a local. Incidentally, the latter were extremely polite to us - I wouldn't have expected that, considering that thousands of people stroll through the alleyways here every day.

Camera and equipment

For the trip to Hallstatt I had my Sony Alpha 7iii in my luggage with my standard kit lens, my 50mm portrait lens and my Tamron 50-400mm telephoto lens.

Therefore almost maximum flexibility in terms of photo spots. What I really missed that day was an ultra-wide-angle lens. That would have expanded my landscape options. Too bad - next time then.

So what can you do in Hallstatt?

Well, let me put it this way. You can enjoy the moment. You can buy fresh air from Hallstatt in a can - from the vending machine. You can also treat yourself to a small portion of cheese spaetzle for just under €17.

You can stroll through the alleyways with your dog and even take him with you to eat.

You can take great photos.

You can lose track of time and there are plenty of hiking opportunities.

You can visit the museum or take the mountain railway up to the viewing platform. You can probably even live the American Dream. Hallstatt is the place of possibilities.

Copy a place. Yes - you can - here is an entry on Wikipedia.

Steps upon steps

If you want to enjoy Hallstatt to the full, you need to bring plenty of time and stamina. This small settlement has a hell of a lot of steps and metres in altitude. A hell of a lot. Insane.

But only those who take these paths can enjoy the fantastic views! No pain, no gain. Or is there?

Hallstatt - it was an honour!

After 6 hours, a snack (Käsespätzle) in our stomachs and blisters on our feet, we make our way back home with 700 photos.

Was it a great trip? It definitely was! There weren't too many tourists around at the time, which made taking photos a lot easier.

Will we come back again? Definitely.

Goodbye Hallstatt, goodbye dear reader, I hope you enjoyed our - somewhat different - blog post.

Der Beitrag Fotoausflug nach Hallstatt im Salzkammergut – Oberösterreich erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.