Guest author: Carina Baldauf
“I’m drinking in the summer like the wild bee sucking up honey,” she said. “I’m gathering it together in a big lump of summer, to live on when... when it’s not summer any more. Do you know what there is in it?” © excerpt from “Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter” by Astrid Lindgren
Hi, I’m Carina from The Urban Kids! On our website, we share our favorite places for families – some hidden in the city, many nestled in nature, and all guaranteed to provide a fun time for kids and grown-ups alike. Discovering these special destinations where families can create happy memories and embark on little adventures together – that's what drives us. We’re based in Munich and love the mountains – regardless of the time of year. Being surrounded by nature enables us to tune out and enjoy the moment. School, work, and the general hustle of family life can take its toll; something I'm sure you are all very familiar with. Which is why we like to unplug every now and then and head off into the mountains for the weekend. Bye-bye, city heat – and hello, mountain air!
In June 2023, we spent a weekend in the small alpine town of Schladming near the Dachstein mountains in stunning Styria, Austria. This region has a special place in our hearts. Surrounded by dramatic summits, you’ll find themed hiking trails, alpine pastures with animals, as well as go-kart tracks and climbing forests. Here, kids of all ages are sure to find something they like! And that definitely includes the small mountain town of Schladming with its pretty cafés. During the summer, we love to be outdoors from sunrise to sunset to enjoy the fresh air.
Family Time Unplugged!
The mountain summer dream starts as soon as we wake up in the morning. Our accommodation in Schladming is called “The village in the city”. It's idyllic and surrounded by lush nature. Guests can choose between a rustic mountain hut, a chalet or an apartment. The town is just a stone's throw away, as you only have to cross the Talbach stream in order to get to the heart of Schladming. You hardly ever need a car. In the morning, the breakfast bag – filled with fresh bread from the local bakery – is already dangling from the door.
The kids pack their Eon backpacks by namuk which they absolutely love. A magnifying glass, snack knife and water bottle are essential too. It only takes 10 minutes to walk through the small Styrian town center before reaching the valley station of the Planai. It's the name of the region's 2013 World Cup Mountain, which is the pride and joy of the locals and a must-see for anyone visiting Schladming-Dachstein.
Hop into the gondola for a ride up the mountain! Thanks to the Schladming-Dachstein Sommercard (free for all overnight guests), you can ride the cable car once per day for free. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountain peaks.
In summer, the 2 km loop trail along the mountain is lined with play areas where kids can climb, splash around and explore. An absolute hit, especially among the little ones! The Sattelberg features our favorite hike in the region. The Nature and Environment Adventure Trail circles the mountain and offers fun quiz and game stations that inspire a respectful interaction with nature. Especially impressive are the fossils from the sea that washed around the Dachstein a long time ago and which guests can actually touch now. And when you're in need of a break, you can make a stop at the beautiful Sattelberghütte where they serve amazing food.
We also recommend a visit to the Klausnerhof for anyone who loves alpacas as much as we do. Here, the kids are allowed to take the alpacas on a walk from the farm all the way to the mountains, accompanied by farmer Moosburger.
And even if the weather is bad, we still highly recommend a trip to the fairytale trail (Märchenweg). With the right rain gear, most kids won’t even care if they’re getting wet. Along this trail, children can discover beloved fairy tales at interactive stations. Within 90 minutes you can reach the mountain station of the Rittisberg – and up there, a big adventure playground is waiting for the kids. Thanks to the gondola, getting back down is a breeze. And at the bottom, another surprise awaits: a ride on the alpine coaster. It doesn’t even matter if the weather is bad since all toboggans are equipped with a roof.
Time to cool off
Nothing beats returning to our cozy accommodation and plunging into the natural bathing pond after an adventurous day of exploring. We also love the beautiful garden – it has a magical feel to it! We think Schladming is the perfect place for a summer trip. It offers everything from mountain adventures and family-friendly trails to charming cafés and restaurants. We hope this inspires you to pack your bags and head off on your own family getaway in the mountains.
