Barefoot through the mud: the Lungau Saumoos and the Prebersee Lake

Lush green plants, picturesque paths and unspoilt nature

You can have real holidays in Salzburg’s Lungau region. Maddie found out exactly what that means. She runs a podcast on the topic of sustainability under dariadaria.com and at the end of August she discovered Salzburg’s Lungau region. Together with nature guide Herby, Maddie took off her shoes before the hike and waded barefoot through the nature.

Barefoot through the mud

“I was especially happy that we visited some very unspoilt places and did unusual things. Such as trudging barefoot through the mud“, says Maddie after the tour through the Lungau Saumoos moor. You start on a narrow, grass-covered path which leads Maddie and her friend Raffaela deeper and deeper into the forest.

Arriving on the other side of the forest, a beautiful panorama of the moor opens us with lush green plants, picturesque paths and unspoilt nature. The hike is easy and so you can focus entirely on yourself. The circuit finishes and as there is still a little time left, Herby, Maddie and Raffaela go on a visit to the famous Prebersee Lake.

Raffaela and Madeleine in Salzburger Lungau

Often copied, never bettered

The Lungau Prebersee Lake is a phenomenon that no one can quite explain. Through the special surface tension of the water, it is possible for example to shoot bullets onto the water where they will bounce off. This phenomenon is the basis of a very popular local tradition – the Prebersee Shooting. Shooters target the water where the bullets bounce off and hit the targets hanging above. Fascinated by this experience, even Walt Disney reportedly wanted his own “Prebersee“ built in America. However, he didn’t succeed.

The Prebersee Lake is one of those places where there is no bad weather. Drops of rain and fog give something mystical to the landscape. And Maddie also obviously enjoyed it: “I like rainy weather a lot; you can just let loose and be in harmony with nature. When you get home soaking wet, you snuggle up in the warm, drinking a hot cup of tea.“ This is especially good in the Hotel Eggerwirt ****S where Maddie was staying. A wonderful Spa area warms pleasantly and a delicious dinner fills up one’s energy reserves.

Tips for barefoot hiking

Tip 1: Always nice and slow
For those who are not skilled in barefoot hiking, you should start with soft ground and work your way up to harder surfaces. Therefore, the Lungau Saumoos moor is the perfect practise area with the soft earth and moss doing your feet good.

Tip 2: Have a pair of shoes in your backpack
You never know when you might need the shoes again.

Tip 3: Don’t overdo it
Especially at the beginning, you should walk short distances before going onto real barefoot tours. Thus, you will be sure to have a good time.