The Finest Staffed Mountain Huts around St. Anton

They belong to this small alpine idyll every bit as much as the ringing of cowbells and the summit crosses. Every year, 186,000 cows, pigs, horses and sheep are driven up onto the 2,100 alpine pastures. Livestock is only classed as being on an alp if it stays there continuously for at least 60 days. So where are the most beautiful alpine pastures around Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg?

The Rendlalm: one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Arlberg region

Three routes lead up to the Rendlalm, situated at 1,800 m above sea level. The mountain bike trail is particularly popular. Once you've managed to get yourself and your bike up to the alp, you don't need to ride back down again. But don't worry: you can also shorten the ascent or descent on foot using the Rendlbahn lift. From there, the Alpenrosenweg leads gently to the alp in an hour and a half to two hours. A bonus along the whole route, especially in June/July: the pink-blossoming alpine rose bushes.

Tasting Tyrolean tradition: Neunern & Marend

You'll also find the odd special herb along the way. While only around seven herbs grow per square metre down in the valley, alpine meadows are home to 60 to 70 different natural remedies. No wonder alpine produce tastes so good. On the Rendlalm, Neunern and Marend are still served just as they always were. Neunern is essentially a second breakfast taken in the late morning, which the farmers needed to get through their hard work. Marend, on the other hand, is eaten in Tyrol in the afternoon. Traditionally with dark rye bread, bacon and pickled gherkins. Depending on preference, cheese, lard and horseradish might be added too. Every Tyrolean has their own favourites.

The Putzen Alpe: here the animals are just as relaxed as the farmers

With an ascent of just under 580 metres, a moderate hike from Hotel Arlmont leads to Putzenalm, also known as Putzen Alpe. Here it's an absolute must to try the semi-hard and mountain cheese from the alp's own dairy. The Putzenalm's alpine produce is made with real passion. And that's needed: at 1,700 metres, it can snow in the middle of summer, or a hike in search of a stray cow can turn into quite an adventure. The farmers take it all in their stride, though, serving Tyrolean Gröstl and bacon dumplings whatever the weather. Tyrolean Gröstl, incidentally, is fried potatoes with bacon, beef or pork and a fried egg.

An important contribution to St. Anton's cultural landscape

The mountain farmers don't just give their cows and sheep a particularly pleasant summer retreat through their alpine farming. They also make an important contribution to Tyrolean ecology. Alpine farming improves root penetration of the soil. This allows it to store more water, reducing the risk of flooding down in the valley. The meadows also safeguard biodiversity and provide habitats for rare plants and animals.

For summit-seekers and St. Anton's high-alpine climbers: the Leutkircher Hütte

Admittedly, the Leutkircher Hütte isn't an alp. What it is, though, is a mountain hut visited by every St. Anton local. It sits at an alpine 2,251 metres, well beyond the reach of any forest track. On the main ridge of the Lechtal Alps, it's the starting point for many mountain tours and the goal of anyone who wants to earn their lunch with a climb. A Starkenberger beer, a Tyrolean beer, and a slice of bacon bread taste twice as good up here. With a bit of luck, you might even spot an ibex on the mountain, or the rare Apollo butterfly, a grey butterfly with black and red spots. Popular routes from the hut include the Hirschpleißkopf at 2,549 m or the Stanskogel at 2,757 m. Excellent fitness, sure-footedness and mountain experience are, however, essential for summit tours in the Arlberg.

MONT Spa and Arlmont Restaurant: where it all comes together

After an alpine hike or even a summit tour, there's nothing better than relaxing your muscles in the panoramic sauna or letting yourself drift in the RoofTop Pool. From all three levels of the extended spa area MONT Spa, you can see the mountains and trails you conquered that day. A feeling of contentment spreads through you, topped only by a relaxed ** Tirol">dinner. There, you'll encounter those wayside herbs once more, and the regional ingredients from Tyrol bring the feeling of your summit triumph back to life. That very feeling is emblematic of a holiday at **-Superior-Hotel St. Anton am Arlberg Tirol">Hotel Arlmont in St. Anton am Arlberg.