Field Journal

Austria Uncovered: St. Anton am Arlberg
Written by Daniel Neilson with Daniel Hug
Produced in Partnership with Visit Austria

St. Anton am Arlberg is where Alpine peaks meet blue skies, where turquoise mountain lakes meet green Alpine meadows, and traditional mountain culture meets cutting-edge facilities.

Summer in St. Anton am Arlberg is an exhilarating time when the Tirolean mountains provide a backdrop for all manner of experiences. The possibilities for exploring nature are almost endless, whether it’s scaling jagged peaks or more gentle hiking through the meadows and charming villages of the region, such as St. Anton, Pettneu, Schnann, Flirsch, and Strengen.

Mountain bikers will find a wide range of routes for all levels of difficulty. Climbing, paragliding, and canyoning are also popular in St. Anton am Arlberg.

Once you’ve had your adrenaline fix, explore the idyllic villages in the area, visit traditional Alpine huts, and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals (and the delicious local food). Throughout the summer there are also opportunities to experience dozens of events, including concerts and traditional festivals.

Where the locals play: Daniel Hug, photographer

‘I guess, first of all, St. Anton is globally renowned for its winter sports, especially freeriding, thanks to abundant snowfall. It’s a premier destination for skiers worldwide. However, in summer, beyond its snowy slopes, St. Anton transforms into a truly spectacular location for outdoor enthusiasts like me.

‘Hiking trails weave through Alpine forests, past little wooden huts and serene mountain lakes, such as those near the Unteren Maroijöchle, offering a tranquil escape. One of my favourite suggestions is the hike from Konstanzer Hütte to Darmstädter Hütte, with huge panoramic views of the Austrian Alps.

‘When I’m on my mountain bike, I love to ride the Galzigtrail down towards St. Anton. It’s just one trail out of more than 220km of them: steep descents and technical single track set against an incredible backdrop.

‘If you’re a road cyclist, then my advice is to climb the iconic – and very challenging – Arlberg Pass (1,793m). Events like the Arlberg Giro, which I did a few years back, offer a 150km ride around the area, passing by Montafon and Paznauntal, testing the endurance of all riders… it did me!

‘For top-down views, great for me as a photographer, there are some amazing paragliding opportunities around St. Anton. The region is frequented by numerous cross-country flyers on their long-distance flights. Launch sites such as Kapall, which I recommend for hiking and flying, offer exhilarating aerial adventures with breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks and strong thermal winds.

‘One of my favourite places to find inspiration for my photography is to ascend to the Vordere Rendlspitze. From this vantage point, I can capture the mesmerising beauty of the landscape. It’s best to go with the late-afternoon light that casts a warm, golden glow across the mountains.

‘Back in St. Anton, I never miss the chance to savour a burger at the Murrmel Bar, a personal favourite. I find adventure in St. Anton am Arlberg and you can too, high in the Austrian Alps.’

Facts about the region

400km of hiking trails
St. Anton am Arlberg is the gateway to the Tirolean Alps – and the huge number of hiking trails that lead out of the town. We’ve highlighted our favourite below, but you’ll find something for all levels, from low-level ambles to technical summit hikes.

220km of cycle paths
There is a well-developed, signposted route network stretching out 220km across the Alps around St. Anton am Arlberg. Most routes take in cosy huts for refreshment along the way. There are plenty fo places to rent bikes and e-bikes.

Six lifts
During the summer, St. Anton am Arlberg operates four cable cars and two chairlifts that rise steeply out of the town and up to huts on the steep mountainside. From there, you can hike or bike through the Alps.

29 mountain huts
In St. Anton am Arlberg, the mountain huts are just as much a part of summer life as they are winter. There are 29 huts in the region, scattered around the mountains, each with incredible views and hearty local food.

St. Anton Summer Card and St. Anton Premium Card
The St. Anton Summer Card, available for free on the first day of your holiday, covers the villages of St. Anton am Arlberg, Pettneu, Flirsch, and Strengen. It provides free admission to museums, guided tours, and unlimited bus use. Cable cars and lifts are free after a minimum two-night stay.

Mountain Experiences

Arlberg Trail long-distance hiking trail
This 52.1km circular route connects all five Arlberg resorts: Lech, Zürs, Stuben, St. Christoph, and St. Anton. It takes around 18 hours to complete, with most hikers doing it in three stages. The route ascends a strenuous 6,038m, but it neatly links up with various cable cars – ideal if you’re looking for something less taxing.

Arlberg via ferrata
The Arlberg via ferrata, high above St. Anton am Arlberg, is a 3km route that climbs some 2,500m along steep rock faces, narrow ledges, and a craggy ridge-top walk. The aerial route leads over the Knoppenjochspitze, Lisunspitze, Haizähne, and the Weißschrofenspitze. It also offers wide views of the Lechtal Alps and the Verwall Group.

Flower hikes
The Arlberg is known for its variety of flowers, with more than 250 types of meadow flowers, including 20 varieties of orchids. The slopes of the Rendl are known globally for their bloom of alpenrose. Guided walks can be accessed by cable car.

Nessleralm and Alte Nessler Thaja
The lovingly renovated Alte Nessler Thaja (dairyman’s hut) offers an insight into the Alpine life of dairymen and shepherds more than 40 years ago. There are various guided routes up to the Nessler Alm from Pettneu, including a specialist route for those interested in flowers. After seeing the old hut, enjoy a meal at Nessler Alm.

Valluga Viewing Platform
Teetering at 2,811m, the Valluga Viewing Platform does what the name promises: views north, south, east, and west. The Lechtal and Allgäu Alps, the Verwall Mountains, the Ötztal Alps, and even the Swiss canton of Graubünden can all be seen from here. It can be reached using a series of cable cars.

Paragliding
Imagine soaring over these Alps. The paragliding providers in the St. Anton am Arlberg vacation region are Flight Connection Arlberg and Arlberg Air, each offering flights high over the valley.

Mountain Huts

Darmstädter Hütte
The Darmstädter Hütte at 2,384m can be reached from the Rendlbahn cable car, walking, or by bike. The cycling route passes clear mountain lakes before arriving at the Darmstädter Hütte for its speciality: dumplings, lots of types of dumplings.

Edmund-Graf-Hütte
The Edmund-Graf-Hütte, in the eastern Verwall Group, is probably the best place around St. Anton am Arlberg to see ibex in their natural environment. The hiking route to it follows a narrow, steep path up Alpine terrain. You can stay overnight in the hut for a hike up to the 3,168m-high Hoher Riffler or the Niederelbehütte the following day.

Alpe Ganatsch
This ‘hidden’ hut, at 1,863m, has one of the most beautiful settings in the area, on the edge of woodland and with views over the nearby peaks. One route passes through the Mösli Nature Preserve, with vegetation that has been here since the last ice age, including lichens, mosses, dwarf shrubs, and forests of larch and spruce.

Wagner Hütte
Once a warden’s hut, the Wagner Hütte today is a place to linger in the Verwalltal valley after a hike or bike. It’s particularly well suited to families, being near the EldoRADo Bike Area and high- and low-ropes course centre. The hut is very well regarded for traditional Tirolean cuisine.

Ansbacher Hütte
The Ansbacher Hütte serves up some of the best views in the region. From the hut at 2,376m, you can see all the way down the Stanzertal valley. It takes around four hours to hike up to the hut through meadows and along a steep path. Overnight accommodation is available.

Hiking Routes

St. Anton am Arlberg may be the cradle of Alpine skiing, but hikers, mountaineers, and climbers will find a wide range of tours in summer – from easy to high Alpine. There are 400km of marked hiking trails.

Adlerweg
The Eagle Walk is a 420km hike through North and East Tirol from Johann in the Kitzbühel Alps to St. Christoph am Arlberg over 24 stages. The last three stages of the walk are in the vicinity of St. Anton am Arlberg.

Summit of the Zwölferkopf
The summit of the Zwölferkopf rises high above St. Anton and presents wide-ranging views of the Stanzertal valley and the imposing Lechtal Alps. At 1,491m, it’s not the highest, but is still a lovely day excursion. The Rendlalm, located directly on the trail, invites you to linger over some local food.

Berggeistweg Trail to the Kaltenberghütte
This loop to the Kaltenberghütte passes deep blue mountain lakes high in the Alps. The Berggeistweg starts at St. Christoph and climbs along a stone path before steepening to the saddle in the mountain. It then passes the Maroiseen Lakes and threads through forest trails.

Schnanner Klamm gorge to the Fritzhütte hut
Above Schnann lies the dramatic Schnanner Klamm gorge. You can palpably feel the power of the rushing torrent and waterfalls. The route climbs another 500m up to the Fritzhütte with a view of the Stanzertal valley and the Hoher Riffler mountain.

Cycling Routes

Best bike rides around St. Anton am Arlberg

St. Anton am Arlberg is a popular area for mountain bikers and e-bikers. The 220km network of signposted routes has trails that are challenging in places but always reward you with views of some of the most beautiful high valleys in the Alps. St. Anton is also an ideal starting point for road cyclists. To the east and west, there are routes for Alpine explorations, such as the tour to the Kaunertal Glacier, the Silvretta High Alpine Road, or the three-pass ride to Bregenzerwald and Lake Constance.

Galzigtrail
The challenging shared trail for mountain bikers leads over the eastern slope of Galzig to St. Anton am Arlberg and offers wonderful views of the Stanzertal valley and the surrounding mountains. It’s a trail for those with experience. Riding is on gravel, forest trails, and asphalt, and the trail ends in St. Anton. You can travel with your bike in the Galzigbahn gondola up to the beginning of the trail.

Heilbronner Hütte Trail
This challenging 20km route takes mountain bikers to the Heilbronner Hütte in the Verwall. It runs along asphalt and gravel paths and a steep trail (total elevation gain 1,600m) and can be combined with tours to Paznaun or Montafon.

Rendlalmrunde
A popular route, especially for e-bikes, leads from St. Anton am Arlberg following the Rosanna to St. Jakob. The path branches off to the right and leads upwards in large serpentines. After a snack at the Rendlalm, you can make your way back through the slopes of the Rendl, which are covered in alpenrose in summer.

EldoRADo Bike Area
The EldoRADo Bike Area is the perfect place for two-wheeled enthusiasts to work up a sweat. On the pump track, you try to build up speed using your own body movements, while on the Northshore Trail you can pit your skills against natural obstacles such as tree trunks and rocks.

Stanzertalradweg
This path between St. Anton am Arlberg and Schnann is asphalted throughout and offers great views. It takes bikers along the Rosanna River from St. Anton am Arlberg to
Schnann. It is ideal for families with young children.

Mountain Sports Festival

The Mountain Sports Festival in St. Anton am Arlberg will be held 28th–30th 2024. Expect multi-day camps, guided tours, and courses that invite you to discover the mountain world of St. Anton am Arlberg region while refreshing your mountain knowledge on numerous topics at the start of the summer. The latest equipment from a wide range of well-known outdoor brands can be tested in the Expo area.

The programme includes the Montafon Arlberg Marathon and District Bouldering Cup, as well as tours and courses in hiking, trail running, climbing, and cycling.