Overcoming your fear of heights on the Kölnbreinsperre
Standing on a sheet of glass and looking 200 metres straight down while the wind howls around your ears. Believe me when I say that if you are afraid of heights, this is no fun. On the other hand, if you manage to persuade yourself to stand there, it is a great victory. It sounds like an amusement park attraction, but nothing could be further from the truth. This lookout is located atop the Kölnbreinsperre, the dam with the highest dam wall in Austria. The dam is located at the end of the Malta Hochalpstrasse at an altitude of 1933 metres in Carinthia.
Last summer (2013), I visited the dam during my holiday in Carinthia. Initially it was not on my 'to visit' list but wherever I went, in every list of Carinthia's best sights we came across the Kölnbreinsperre. Then, of course, you can't ignore it anymore and just have to see what's so great about this dam.
If you are going to visit the dam, it is important that the weather is nice though. The day we ventured a visit, the weather was great. From the moment you enter the Malta Hochalmstrasse, a toll road, the adventure begins. The road consists of many sharp bends and panoramic views. At the end of the Hochalmstrasse, the dam suddenly looms, like a mighty stronghold in the Alps. Once you arrive at the restaurant/information centre, you feast your eyes on the lake behind the dam and the immense dam wall. This wall is the highest in all of Austria. You find yourself 200 metres above the ground here. The best part comes next, as a viewing point has been built in the middle of the wall. You can enjoy the 200-metre depth here on iron grates, which have these holes in them and some glass plates! You are at a high altitude here so the wind, if you are lucky, blows around your ears. I must say that it benefits your fear of heights if you overcome your fear and stand on the glass plate. Apart from that, you can take lovely walks up here. The information centre is also very interesting and has a nice 3D movie that you should definitely check out (while you're there). In short, a fun outing and definitely worth a visit.
