Idyllic Valleys

© Mauritius Images

A feeling of inner peace and tranquility comes over you when you walk through a valley. Perhaps this is because the mountains act as a barrier to the outside world and help you forget about your everyday problems. You’ll find a perfect example of this principle in the small village of Grünau im Almtal in Austria’s Salzkammergut region, which is home to just over 2,100 people.

Web: salzkammergut.at

Alpine Wildlife 

© Stocksy

When you venture beyond the realms of everyday life, you open yourself up to experiencing nature in a meaningful way. It doesn’t have to be a safari in Africa – the Alpine region also has some amazing creatures, like adorable marmots or the majestic Alpine ibex. The latter can weigh as much as 100 kilos and have horns that can grow up to one meter long. They normally live between the forest and the snow line, but in the summer months they sometimes congregate at lower altitudes, as here in Chamonix, France.

Web: chamonix.fr

Walking a Tightrope

© Switzerland Tourism / Silvano Zeiter

Growth happens when you step outside your comfort zone – and what could be more outside that zone than negotiating a narrow ridge halfway up a mountain? One particularly beautiful but definitely challenging hike starts with an open-top gondola ride to the Stanserhorn in Switzerland. From there, the alpine trail continues toward Mount Titlis, which is 3,238 meters tall. The trail itself is about 26 kilometers long. Far from the internet, commitments and luxury, but very much in touch withyour inner self, you cross the narrow ridge at Wagenleis (pictured) before arriving at your destination in Engelberg.

Web: engelberg.ch

Fun with kids

© provided

The Alpbach Valley in the heart of Tyrol is the perfect destination for an exciting family vacation. The mountain railway takes you to the adventure playgrounds on the Reither Kogel and Wiedersberger Horn, and from there, it’s an easy hike to your first summit. The open-air Tyrolean farm museum in Kramsach tells the story of farming life in the mountains. Special family routes make hiking easy for children, and swimming is fun in Lake Reintal and in the Kaiser, Tiefenbach and Kundl gorges, where your little adventurers can search for colorful stones in the shallow water. Seven nights incl. organized activities and an Alpbachtal Card from €800 per family.

Web: alpbachtal.at/happyfamily

Great Views

© Getty Images

High in the mountains, you’re constantly exposed to fresh perspectives, not just on nature but also on life. When you consider the enduring permanence of the rocks and the constantly changing beauty of nature, you can’t help but contemplate your own existence. Your perspective automatically starts to change, and with every step you take, things that were so important back home now seem less relevant. And it doesn’t matter whether you’re scaling a peak or unhurriedly following a scenic hiking trail. The trails around the Saxerlücke in the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden fall into the latter category. One particularly beautiful one starts at the Staubern cable car station, which is particularly noteworthy for being solar-powered.

Web: staubern.ch

Living Heritage

© provided

The rhythm of life in the mountains is very different from the fast-paced lifestyle of the city. Here, the seasons and the customs associated with them are still influential and traditional festivals like solstice or village celebrations are passionately maintained. Even occupations that have died out elsewhere, such as shepherding, are still common in the valleys and mountains of countries like Slovenia.

Web: slovenia.info

Clear mountain lakes

© Achensee Tourism

Lakes and rivers, glistening under the sun like diamonds, enhance the beauty of mountainous regions around the globe. Most of them were formed by melting glaciers. There is no precise definition of what constitutes a “mountain lake,” although this doesn’t apply to high mountain lakes, which are located above the tree line. Although Lake Achen in Tyrol is obviously not one of these, it is still regularly voted one of the top five most beautiful mountain lakes in the Alps. Also known as the “Tyrolean Sea,” it has a maximum depth of 133 meters and is the largest body of water in Austria’s western Tyrol province. Lake Achen lies in a nature reserve, which means that only non-motorized boating is permitted.

Web: achensee.com

Rustic huts

© provided

Offering shelter when the weather changes, a place to stop when hunger strikes, and a welcome change of pace, numerous huts in the Alpine region look forward to welcoming visitors - among them the Ackerlhütte, a self-catering hut on the Wilder Kaiser in the Austrian state of Tyrol.

Web: wilderkaiser.info

Take the Train

© Mauritius Images

The mountains are seen as a desirable destination for city dwellers seeking relaxation and fresh air in the summer. The railway, especially mountain railways, made them accessible to urbanites a long time ago. For the past half-century, travelers from all over the world have been able to experience the world’s highest railway lines for themselves. The Rhaetian Railway’s Bernina Express runs from Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city, through some wildly romantic gorges and past many incredible sights. It also crosses the 65-meter-high, 136-meter-long Landwasser Viaduct near the town of Filisur. Sixty trains cross it every day.

Web: rhb.ch

The Good Life

© IDM South Tyrol-Alto Adige/Damian Pertoll

This is where expert hands turn local, regional and seasonal ingredients into delicious meals. Huts, gourmet restaurants and inns serve traditional as well as more adventurous food. In the South Tyrolean Alps, you can also enjoy delicious, Mediterranean-influenced Alpe-Adria cuisine. The regio also hosts many exciting culinary events in late autumn.

Web: suedtirol.info