“When you’re out and about in the Karwendel Mountains you just have to keep your eyes open to see the most amazing things. It doesn’t matter how many times you have been there before or how well you know the area: if you are interested and curious you will always find new plants or a place you have never noticed before. That’s why I don’t have one favourite place – I could never decide on just one place.

It also varies according to the season. The hike to the Falzthurnalm hut is maybe not all that spectacular in summer, especially for those of us who grew up here and have done it so many times. But the same route in winter by foot or on cross-country skis is totally different. There is much less going on and you get a totally new perspective.

Whenever I take groups on guided hikes in winter I always tell them about the animals in the nature park. They’re not stupid – they always choose the best spots to stand and rest. If you take a look around then you are sure to see chamois and deer on the south-facing slopes.”

Sebastian Pilloni, Nature park ranger

Sebastian Pilloni studied biology at university and has been a ranger in the Karwendel Nature Park since 2010. Three times a week he leads guided winter hikes and snowshoe hikes for groups around Lake Achensee. During these excursions into the mountains he tells his guests about the flora and fauna native to the Karwendel Mountains.