An idyllic awakening – that's what you'll experience when you wake up in the morning not to the ringing of the alarm clock but to the tolling of cow bells.
Fresh alpine breezes that invigorate the spirit and the soothing, gentle sound of small streams. At the alpine huts in the Green Heart of Austria, the world turns a little slower still.
Immersing yourself fully in the alpine lifestyle is best achieved on a hut holiday in a self-catering hut: Simply enjoy the carefree life on the alpine pasture and spend a wonderfully quiet time with your loved ones. An alpine holiday in Styria offers every guest the relaxation they desire.
Between Dachstein, Zirbitzkogel, Hochschwab and Koralm, the alpine summer invites you on scenic hikes to crystal-clear mountain lakes and peaks overlooking the region. In winter, tours of discovery – often with snowshoes on – lead you through picturesque snow-covered alpine landscapes.
Tip: The Almenland nature reserve in East Styria is considered the largest contiguous low-lying pasture area in Europe.
Alpine huts that have been in existence for decades enchant visitors with their rustic and cosy charm, while modern huts impress their guests with a touch of luxury. In the latter, you can enjoy wellness of a special kind: with a view of the pasture and the surrounding mountains. Depending on their location, the alpine huts in Styria can be reached either on foot, by car via toll roads, or with chairlifts and cable cars.
Once you have arrived at the mountain pastures, you'll want to spend as much time there as possible. Climb surrounding peaks on hiking tours, explore new trails and fully immerse yourself in nature. Of course, the many managed huts and mountain shelters also invite you to take a well-deserved break or maybe even spend the night.
The "From the Glacier to the Wine" hiking route is a hiking experience of the extraordinary kind. It leads hikers from the eternal ice of the Dachstein glacier down into the Wine Country of South and East Styria. Whether it's in the Gesäuse region or on Hochschwab, in the Schladming Tauern mountain range or in the Seetal Alps: The tour also takes you past countless alpine pastures and huts.
Almost a quarter of all Austrian alpine pastures are located in Styria – that's about 1,660 pastures. Their area corresponds to an area 2.7 times the size of Lake Constance or 67.6 times the size of Frankfurt Airport. Plenty of space, then, to leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy the peace and quiet high above the valley.
Tranquil and idyllic on the one hand, productive on the other: The alpine pastures are not only lush and green to the delight of the cows. Culinary traditions are also cultivated here, and butter, cheese as well as other local products are made by hand. Everything is organic and regional: For breakfast, you get what the mountain pastures have to offer. Home-smoked bacon, hand-churned butter made from fresh milk or home-baked bread will all delight your palate.
Kulinarium Steiermark consultant Willi Haider has selected 26 huts that offer the highest quality and genuine regionality. Here you can enjoy regional specialities such as homemade cheese or fresh alpine butter and warm delicacies from cheese dumplings to fish dishes. There's also clear mountain air, sweeping views and real moments of pleasure while hiking, biking, cross-country skiing or downhill skiing.
Take in the scenic views of the mountains directly from the infinity pool. Or follow the cows' journey back to the valley during the traditional alpine cattle drive in autumn. Beautiful wellness spots, hikes to huts with breathtaking views and encounters with the animal inhabitants of the region make your stay at an alpine hut in Styria a one-of-a-kind adventure.
Alpine pastures and meadows are both popular vacation destinations and important economic areas. To ensure that these unique cultural landscapes continue to be available to us in the future, a few rules must be observed. In the following video, you will learn which rules must be observed for the safe handling of grazing livestock.