ST. ANTON AM ARLBERG

Feel the benefit of the mountains

A host of energising experiences await in St. Anton am Arlberg. This cosy village in Austrian Tirol has only 2,500 residents, so you can expect true Tirolean hospitality as you spend your summer in the mountains and find more than 300km of footpaths.

With so many different routes to try, walkers may often find themselves drinking in those alpine landscapes in tranquil solitude; an opportunity to breathe deep and experience true calm. In fact, exercise in the fresh air at moderate altitudes has been found to boost health and physical well-being, adding to the many reasons to get out there. A clearly marked signposting system offers detailed information about each path’s destination, route, distance, time and difficulty, but you can also go with an authorised mountain guide for information on natural spectacles, sites of interest, local flora and tips

for more technically challenging trekking routes.

For those who like exploring on two wheels, there are several sports shops that can help with e-bike rentals or if you time your visit for the E-bike Fest (June 19-21) you can test the latest models in and around the Tirolean village, and head out into the mountains on smallgroup guided tours.

In July, fitness fans can take on the challenge of the Arlberger

Wadlbeisser, a 13.5km obstacle course; or in September, visitors can admire the Alpine Cattle Drive and Country Festival, which sees cows decorated in wild flowers and herded back into the valley to symbolise a trouble-free summer on mountain pastures. Speaking of trouble-free, September also sees the annual Mountain Yoga Festival, a great opportunity for enthusiasts to learn new techniques from yoga experts and to centre the mind in a natural alpine setting.

Getting to St. Anton am Arlberg is stress-free too. Railjet trains, the Venicesimplon Orient-express and other direct services stop at the train station, located a stone’s throw from the village centre. If flying, the nearest airport is Innsbruck and, once you arrive,

the St. Anton Summer Card is a great way to make the most of your time. Available between 20 June – 27 September, the card is offered free of charge from your first night and offers a variety of perks to help you better explore the region and enjoy a feel-good holiday.

Feel-good factors (from top down) Alpine Cattle Drive in St. Anton; E-bike Fest in St. Anton; panoramic views in the Arlberg Mountains