Alpine Pasture Hike l From alp to alp in Gemsteltal at Kleinwalsertal

A comfortable hike across a picturesque alpine landscape. The Gemsteltal is a naturalist valley surrounded by an impressive mountain and rock landscape.

The circular track begins in Mittelberg-Bödmen and passes several possibilities for rest and refreshment: Bernhard’s Gemstelalpe (1310 m), Hintere Gemstelhütte (1320 m) and Naturalpe Gemstel-Schönesboden (1310m), Bernhard’s Gemstelalp offers homemade products such as organic mountain cheese, milk, yoghurt, soups, different sausages, bread, omelet, «Kaiserschmarrn» and cakes. You can enjoy a hearty lunch break, cakes and traditional Austrian apple strudel at the Hintere Gemstelhütte at the foot of the Widderstein. There also is a playground for younger guests. The Naturalpe Gemstel-Schönesboden (GenussHütte) is open (depending on the snow conditions) from mid-May till the end of October. There is a big sun terrace and a playground. It also provides snacks and drinks. Specialties include warm and smoked ham, homemade mountain-, alpine- or goat cheese. Alpine products like alpine cheese, alpine ham, sausages, goat cheese and butter can be purchased at the alp.

WALSER ALPINE FARMING Walser settled in the high-altitude region of Vorarlberg during the 13th/14th century – including the Kleinwalsertal. They came from the Swiss canton Wallis and were experienced farmers that got along well in the alpine surroundings. They introduced a three-tier system of farming alpine pastures that is still being practiced in Vorarlberg today. To optimally use the existing food sources for livestock, people and animals moved several times a year. Summers are spent at the high alpine pastures that provide fresh alpine grass and herbs that give alpine milk its good taste. Most alpine pastures process milk to alpine and mountain cheese. During early and late summer cows grass at «Maisäß»/«Vorsäß». Its grass/hay feeds the stock during winter that they spend in stables.

Author: Helmut Düringer