An exclusive room tour and hotel tour with mountain sports YouTuber marlenesleben. Located in the heart of the Alps, the Explorer Hotels are your location for active mountain adventures 365 days a year. Explorer Hotels aren't just located in Bad Kleinkirchheim, but also in the coolest Alpine regions. Other hotels are located in Austria in the Montafon region, in St. Johann near Kitzbühel, in the Zillertal, in Hinterstoder, and in the Ötztal. In Germany, you'll find Explorer Hotels in Oberstdorf in the Allgäu region, in Nesselwang near Neuschwanstein Castle, and at Königssee near Berchtesgaden. Off we go to the hotel reception for check-in. It's simple and personal. Everyone here is on first-name terms. With the room key, I'm taken directly to one of the rooms. My path leads me to the second floor, to a double room that can also be used as a single room. The rooms all look the same and are furnished with ample storage space for hiking and cycling equipment. The large compartments with coat racks in the entrance area ensure this. The small seating area by the window, on the other hand, exudes coziness. For a coffee, we head back down to the bar and past the Bike & Ski Area. Other guests are tinkering with bikes and making the final adjustments for their bike tour. Behind the workbench, which is equipped with the essential tools for checking bikes and waxing skis, there are spacious lockers. There, you can safely store your own bikes, skis, or other sports equipment using your room card. Of course, there's also a ski and bike cellar in the basement. And if you didn't bring your own bike, you can rent one of the e-bikes on-site. And because your legs deserve a bit of relaxation after a day on the mountain, after an invigorating coffee, I head straight to the spa area. I don't use the fitness room this time. Theoretically, though, I could still really let off steam here. Instead, I head straight for the sports spa with sauna, steam bath, and infrared cabin. Perfect! For dinner, I find myself back at the bar. Similar to the rooms, there are seating areas in the lounge. I end the evening with a non-alcoholic cocktail. For hungry mountaineers, there are also tarte flambée, sandwiches, or pizza to choose from. A traditional restaurant has been deliberately avoided to support the local infrastructure. The next morning, the day begins at the breakfast buffet. More specifically, an egg frying station. There, I can prepare my own breakfast egg. In my case, it's scrambled eggs. Along with bread, a juice, and coffee, the day can begin. I'm ready for the next hike.

Technique and equipment for trail running: What you need for your run in the mountains. Running coach and sports physiotherapist Florian Reiter offers tips for beginners and advanced runners. Despite the rainy weather, Florian raves about the exercise in the fresh air. There's no such thing as bad weather in trail running, he says. But you have to be able to rely on your equipment. The shoe is crucial. It's important to get good advice from a sports shop, because the shoe needs to be suited not only to your foot, but also to your running habits and the environment. Every shoe has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, there are shoes with a lot of tread, like the one Florian wears when it's muddy outside. However, the running coach doesn't recommend it for ultra-long runs. A trail running backpack or vest is also interesting. These lightweight backpacks sit close to the body and can be secured at the chest. This prevents them from bouncing on your shoulders while running. This way, it won't get in the way of your movement. A water bottle, rain pants, a rain jacket, some food, a map of the area, your cell phone, a first-aid kit... all of this fits in your backpack. Always let someone (friends, family, etc.) know where you are. Something can always happen! Non-slip running socks are also important. Quick-drying clothing is also recommended. He also recommends a running watch. Especially with GPS and a track-back function, the watch can become a safety tool. Measuring distance, elevation, and speed are also important information for assessing your fitness. You can also take folding poles. They're not for everyone, but when you're no longer using them, you can stow them in your backpack to save space. Florian himself mainly takes them on longer distances or long uphill sections. With the right technique, they can provide valuable support. Running technique from a pro: An upright running style with body tension is important. Stand up straight. Your center of gravity should be at the top and you should look forward, not down. This makes the movement more efficient. Your stride frequency will usually also increase. Good body tension is also important when running uphill. You can use arm swings to achieve this. This allows you to gain momentum through arm movement. And find your own rhythm. Depending on the gradient and your experience, you can also alternate between walking and running. When running downhill, you use completely different muscle groups. Take it slow, take shorter steps, and make sure you land with your whole foot. Safety is paramount when running downhill.

On the road with the two professional mountain bikers Simon Gegenheimer and Marion Fromberger from the Mountain Bike Racing Team to the start house of the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm (1,635 m). The two professional cyclists have each won an MTB World Cup and will take you on their tour today, starting from the Explorer Hotel Kitzbühel in St. Johann along gravel paths to Kitzbühel and then through the Legends Park. Commemorative plaques and small statues commemorate the successes of ski legends Christl Haas, Christian Pravda, Herbert Huber, and Toni Sailer. From the Hahnenkamm parking lot in Kitzbühel, the route climbs 8.43 km and has an elevation gain of 930 m. The climb is tough and requires a good level of fitness. You may have to push your mountain bike at times. The ascent to the trail takes about 2 hours. While riding up the Hahnenkamm on mountain bikes, the cyclists will finally share a few insider tips. Naming the most beautiful place for a mountain bike race isn't easy for the two of them. Over the years, Simon has traveled to destinations like South Africa, New York, and Australia. Marion, however, summarizes that Austria and southern Germany are also great places to cycle. Especially when you arrive home after all the stress of traveling and can enjoy nature alone on your bike. But racing isn't only associated with fond travel memories. Marion, for example, painfully remembers the broken chain on her mountain bike during her World Championship start last year. Arriving at the Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm, the two are standing at the start of the legendary Streif, where the famous Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Race takes place annually. But today we're there with our mountain bikes and testing the flow trail from the Hahnenkamm mountain station down into the valley to the Mockingwiese. The Hahnenkamm Trail is rated S1 and is 7.2 km long with 865 meters of elevation gain. This means it's suitable not only for pros but also for beginners. You can leave the trail at any time via two drop-out points. Thanks to the well-designed route, the trail is free of many artificial elements. This ensures complete trail enjoyment. This trail should definitely be on your bucket list for your vacation in St. Johann in Tirol. Forgot your mountain bike? No problem. You can rent a mountain bike from our partners in St. Johann in the Kitzbühel Alps.

What should I pack in my hiking backpack? What should I take on a mountain hike? Packing list for a day trip with valuable tips from the pros! You'll need this gear for a day in the mountains: - Base layer made of synthetic or merino wool - T-shirt - Warming layer - Hiking pants (or shorts) - Rain jacket - Hiking socks - Hiking boots - Hat and scarf - Headlamp - Sunglasses - Sunscreen - Hydration bladder or water bottle - First aid kit - Hiking poles - Hiking map - GPS - Cash - Cell phone - Bivouac sack for emergencies - Rain cover for the backpack Tips from the pros When it comes to socks, make sure you choose socks without padding. They should also be made of synthetic fibers. This way, they dry quickly and won't get soggy when wet. For high heels, it's best to choose calf-high compression socks. Ankle-high socks are sufficient for lower shoes. If you're unsure what the weather will be like, opt for long pants. They protect you from UV rays in the sunshine, and even if you touch a rock or even fall, there's still a bit of fabric between your skin and the hard ground. Of course, if it's super sunny and warm, shorts will be cooler. For a warming layer for your upper body, you can choose between jackets with Primaloft filling or down. Primaloft fibers are synthetic fibers. They have the advantage of being water-repellent and not clumping when wet. Down, on the other hand, is often more comfortable to wear and heat-resistant. You have to choose your shoes depending on the tour. If you want to be sure that your feet are protected from the wet, opt for ankle-high hiking boots. These also prevent you from twisting your ankle. A low hiking boot, on the other hand, is more flexible and lighter. When packing everything into your backpack, make sure the heavier items are lower and the lighter items are near the top. Otherwise, the backpack will be top-heavy. And most importantly: Familiarize yourself with your gear. A hiking map is no use if you've never held it in your hand and studied it. The same applies to many other items.

Mountain hike from the Explorer Hotel in Hinterstoder to the Schrocken (2,281 m) with trail runner Philipp Reiter. Tour report with impressions of the region and information about the route. It starts in the valley. The Schiederweiher should take about an hour to walk. If you're running, you'll manage it a bit faster. The pond is nestled between mountains. It's idyllic. Hardly anyone is around. Signs indicate that entering the area is prohibited. Photos are therefore taken from the path. Be sure to follow information and prohibition signs in nature and on private property. Stay on the designated paths. There are still 1,700 meters of elevation gain to the Schrocken. If you don't want to walk the entire route, you can also take the cable car. With the Hössbahn, you can save either 700 or 1,100 meters of elevation gain. The next highlight awaits at 1,863 m. There lies the Schafkogelsee lake with its bright blue color. White gravel surrounds the lake, giving it an almost Caribbean feel. And behind it, the rugged peaks of the Totes Gebirge gleam. From there, you can also see the Grosser Priel. On the other side, the Schrocken is still shrouded in clouds. You can even walk on the steep sections while trail running. The main thing is to have fun. You don't have to completely exhaust yourself. Test your limits, but pay attention to your body and do what feels good to you. The ridge then continues toward the summit. The upper section becomes scree-covered. There is also a section secured with ropes. Surefootedness and a head for heights are required for the final meters. Although the sky is overcast at the summit, every weather has its charm. This means the mountain landscape always looks different.

Kleinkirchheim: High-altitude hike in the Nockberge Mountains in Carinthia. Tour report with information about the mountain tour and impressions. We first stroll a bit through Bad Kleinkirchheim. We pass quaint wooden houses with flowers on the windowsills. It looks truly quaint and idyllic. The Nockberge Mountains rise all around. They appear somewhat hilly. But that's mainly because Bad Kleinkirchheim itself is already over 1,000 meters above sea level. If you want to relax, you can do so in one of the two thermal baths. Next, we take the Brunnach Biosphere Park cable car up. The clouds are still low. Hopefully, they'll clear over the course of the day and reveal a view of the surrounding mountains. From the mountain station, turn right. In winter, you can ski on the slopes. In summer, the area offers not only hiking trails but also numerous mountain bike trails. We hike deeper into the Carinthian Nockberge Biosphere Reserve and follow the Salzsteigweg. This is a long-distance hiking trail that runs from Upper Austria, through Styria, to Carinthia. In total, you can hike a distance of 430 km. Unfortunately, at the summit of Folkert (2,308 m), our view is blocked. Thick fog surrounds us. Normally, from above, you could see large parts of the Nockberge, look towards Slovenia, and enjoy the view of the Hohe Tauern. By the way, there's also a via ferrata leading up to Folkert. Then you don't have to walk the entire high-altitude hike, but can start at Falkertsee. We'll also descend to that lake. And there, the sky is finally clearing up a bit. The sun even makes an appearance. From below, the Nockberge don't look so hilly at all. The Falkert actually looks quite rugged. It's great to hike with a bit of a view, so we're delighted to see the picturesque Falkertsee next. Right on the shore, I dip my hand into the cool water. It's not that cool, though. Carinthia is known for its warm swimming lakes. If the weather were a bit warmer, I could certainly imagine jumping right in. Lake Afritz and Lake Millstatt are also great for swimming.

The Explorer Hotels in the Alps are the first certified passive house hotels in Europe. Founder Jürnjakob Reisigl explains how you can enjoy a climate-neutral and sustainable vacation at the Explorer Hotels. The hotels are located in the most beautiful areas of the Alps. Therefore, the founder wants to protect and preserve the surrounding nature for guests and future generations with his modern hotel concept. Sustainability is a top priority here. The goal is to use as little energy as possible and to produce the energy that is essential in an ecologically sustainable way. Therefore, the building is heavily insulated. The outer wall consists of 26 cm thick mineral wool insulation. Behind it is another 26 cm of wall. From the outside, the insulation acts like a warming down coat on the building. This keeps the interior relatively warm. Those who vacation at the Explorer Hotels don't have to forgo comfort. The only thing they forgo is 1.5 tons of CO2 emissions per room, as is typical for other hotels in similar classes. The energy required is generated from biomass, geothermal energy, photovoltaic systems, and solar thermal systems. Biogas is used for additional heating in winter. Each individual guest also warms the rooms with their 37 degrees Celsius body temperature, especially in winter. Here, you can actively contribute to a climate-neutral and sustainable vacation. This is how Explorer Hotels manages to operate a hotel with 100 rooms, a sports spa, sauna, steam bath, and infrared cabin, while remaining CO2-neutral. But what does climate-neutral mean? Simply put, it means that Explorer Hotels do not increase the amount of climate-damaging gases in the atmosphere. But that's not all. Explorer Hotels also pay attention to regionality when selecting construction partners and work with local sports partners on site to offer you the best experience. They deliberately chose not to have a restaurant to support the local infrastructure. And to be socially sustainable, the hotels offer year-round jobs by being open 365 days a year.

Sunrise on the Grünten in the Allgäu: Nina and Tom from traveloptimizer take you on a beautiful hike in the mountains around Oberstdorf. The two set off at 5:30 a.m. in complete darkness for a sunrise hike on the Grünten. There, they want to start the day with a delicious mountain breakfast. Have you ever done a sunrise hike? If so, where did you go and how did you like it? Feel free to let us know in the comments. At the Kammeregg parking lot, the two early risers pack their breakfast bags from the hotel into their backpacks, put on their headlamps, and then start the approximately two-hour uphill hike. They climb just under 600 meters. This means the hike isn't too long and also leads up a blue-marked path. The two still have to be a little careful. In the first few meters, Nina almost stepped in cow dung. At an elevation of 1,200 m, the two pass the Alpe Kammeregg with its huge terrace. It's not worth stopping for a break here yet. But in sunshine, the terrace is certainly very inviting. A little later, it begins to dim. Fortunately, because the trail also becomes more challenging. The climb is no longer along a wide forest road, but rather along a narrow meadow path. Occasionally, the two marvel at the excellent view over large parts of the Allgäu region. Incidentally, the Grünten is also called the Guardian of the Allgäu due to its prominent location on the edge of the Alps. If you started a little late, you can already see the sunrise during the entire section across the ridge. You don't even have to be at the very top to see it. The sun is slowly breaking through to Nina and Tom's summit. Shortly before the summit, however, the climb becomes a bit steeper and more challenging. It's about another 15 minutes to the very top. And just a few steps later, the two glimpse the Jägerdenkmal (hunter's monument), the summit of the Grünten, for the first time. Then they reach the 1,737-meter-high summit. There, they have breakfast in the glow of the rising sun.

What is the workbench in the Explorer Hotel for? Team manager Sabrina from the Explorer Hotel in Ötztal will show you everything you need to know to adjust your skis or bike yourself. Do you maintain your sports equipment yourself, or do you prefer to have it done by a professional? Feel free to share your experience in the comments. Workbenches and sports lockers are available not only in Ötztal, but in every single Explorer Hotel. The advantage is that you don't have to run down to the basement with your equipment; the locker and work area are located right next to the reception. This means you can practically ride your bike to the workbench. Another advantage is that there's almost always something going on around the reception area. This makes it easy to strike up a conversation with other guests and exchange a few handyman tips. There's everything you need to maintain or repair your bike. There's an air pump, some tools, and you can clamp your bike on site. In winter, we have the right equipment for ski preparation. For example, you can wax your skis on-site. Once everything is prepared, you can store your skis or bike in the sports locker. You can reserve this space at reception, and the locker can then be opened with your room card. There's also a ski cellar. This is especially useful for expensive mountain bikes that don't want to just sit in the basement. There's also a washing area for bikes outside. Inside, you can also wash your clothes in a separate washing machine and dry them in the dryer. There's also a spa area for relaxation, and if you're looking for tour suggestions, contact the on-site buddies. They can give you good tips on the region.

Stuibenfall via ferrata in the Ötztal Valley, Austria. Magdalena Kajus from youareanadventurestory takes you on a breathtaking climb on the highest waterfall in Tyrol. At 159 meters, the Stuibenfall is actually the highest waterfall in Tyrol. And from the Explorer Hotel in the Ötztal Valley, it's only a 15-minute walk to the start of the via ferrata. At the start, you'll need a climbing harness, via ferrata set, and rockfall helmet. Via ferrata gloves and a sling with a carabiner are also recommended. With a maximum difficulty of C, but usually in the lower B range, it's also suitable for beginners and families. However, if in doubt, you should always take a mountain guide with you. Also, keep in mind that the via ferrata has a total elevation gain of 300 meters. Right at the start, there's a wire rope taut for crossing the river. A good first test to get a feel for the via ferrata. Then it's another 5-10 minute walk uphill, finally climbing an easy A-B section. Just before the main section, Magdalena takes off her jacket because it gets steeper. The first C section is also easy to master with the right technique. And then the Stuibenfall waterfall appears. The water splashes all the way to the trail. This makes the whole trail even more impressive. Finally, you cross the waterfall over the rope bridge. From there, the water is right under your feet. Then you descend via stairs and again directly along the waterfall. A light shower is free on the descent ;).