Graukogel — Pine Forests & strenuous Ridges

Standing sentinel over the Belle Époque spa town of Bad Gastein, the Graukogel is a mountain of contrasts. It is famous for its ancient 'Zirbenwald' (stone pine forest), with trees over 300 years old. While the 'Zirbenweg' near the cable car station is a gentle sensory walk, the true Graukogel experience involves the strenuous, steep ascent to the summit (2,492m) and the traverse to the Palfnersee lake. The terrain transitions from scented forest to unforgiving granite ridges and scree, offering unparalleled views of the High Tauern's 'main chain' and the Ankogel massif.

The Giant of St. Kitts. Mount Liamuiga (1,156m) is a massive stratovolcano that dominates the northern half of St. Kitts. Formerly known as Mount Misery, the hike to the summit is a steep, strenuous scramble through lush rainforest and elfin forest to reach the edge of a massive, half-mile wide volcanic crater. The crater itself is over 300 meters deep and filled with a secondary rain forest and occasional steam vents. From the rim, you are rewarded with panoramic views of the entire island and the neighboring islands of St. Eustatius and Saba.