The next climbing holiday needs planning, but travelling there by car or van again – is that still environmentally responsible? The clear answer is: yes, it is possible to have an eco-friendly climbing holiday in the Alps!
Take St. Anton am Arlberg, for example – this glamorous holiday resort is easily accessible by train. The station is conveniently situated in the centre of St. Anton and therefore in the immediate vicinity of various sports shops that hire out E-Bikes. As a guest with a summer pass, you even get a discount! But that’s not all: thanks to the Kartell power station, St. Anton has been completely self-sufficient in electricity since 2006. The Kartellsee generates around 33 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually – enough that even a neighbouring power station can draw on it. So far, so eco-friendly. Anyone who then consistently gets around the region on foot or by E-Bike during their climbing holiday has not only chosen what is probably the gentlest way to get to know a new landscape, but also one of the most environmentally friendly.
Incidentally, the climbing community tends to gather at the crags near the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut. Fifty routes ranging from grade 4 to grade 8 offer plenty of scope for long climbing sessions. A proper ‘Anton climbing holiday’ also includes tackling the Arlberg Via Ferrata/Iron Way and enjoying a meal of dumplings at the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut – and all of this is virtually carbon-neutral.
South of St. Anton, at an altitude of 2,384 metres, the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut is situated in a high-mountain cirque. The DAV Mountain Lodge/Hut, run by the Darmstadt/Hesse section, has become a hotspot for the climbing community in recent years. This comes as no surprise, as the high altitude ensures a cool breeze even on hot summer’s days, guaranteeing unspoilt climbing fun. What’s more, the roughly 50 climbing routes are all situated around the Mountain Lodge/Hut, spread across seven Rock Climbing Areas. And there’s something to suit almost every level: for families, for climbing groups and for ambitious climbers who want to tackle slightly more challenging routes. Oh yes, the climbing areas around the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut naturally also have something to offer Multi-Pitch Climbing enthusiasts – which is almost a given in this alpine terrain featuring the mighty Kuchenspitze (3,148 m). And so, during the summer months, you’ll find a colourful and sometimes international crowd of climbers at the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut.
The sheer variety of routes and the seemingly endless hiking opportunities make the stone Shelter & Refuge Hut the perfect Starting Point – and thus the hub for accommodation and holidays – for a climbing holiday in St. Anton. The ascent can be made either on foot (approx. 3 hours) or by E-Bike – a bit more of a challenge with luggage, children and all the trimmings, but definitely worth it, especially as the access can be nicely broken down into stages as a full-day programme, including a Stop for refreshments at a mountain hut.
The Arlberg Via Ferrata/Iron Way is undoubtedly one of the classic high-alpine routes and boasts more than just its breathtaking panoramic views. It demands technical and alpine skills, arm strength, sure-footedness, a head for heights and stamina. It’s also worth studying the guidebook, as well as making an honest assessment of your own abilities. Anyone with doubts should book a local Mountain Guide and set off on a guided tour of this roughly three-kilometre-long tightrope walk. At dizzying heights, along steep faces and across narrow rock ledges, the via ferrata winds its way up almost vertical walls. The panorama that unfolds before you is breathtaking, stretching from the Lechtal Alps and Allgäu Alps, through the Stubai Alps and Ötztal Alps, to the Verwall Mountains and the Silvretta Alps. The exposed, undulating route leads over the Knoppenjochspitze, the Lisunspitze, the Haizähne and the Weißschrofenspitze. Depending on your ability and fitness, you should allow for four to six hours of pure Hiking Time. It is essential to study and interpret the weather forecast carefully in advance.
Many a climber almost forgets the beauty of the routes and the wildness of nature when it comes to the dumplings at the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut. For many, they’re a real ace up the sleeve, the trump card in their hand and a culinary revelation. So it’s no surprise where the climbing crowd meets up after a day on the rock: for a dumpling feast at the Darmstädter Mountain Lodge/Hut. Also well worth a visit: Rossfall or Tritschalpe – even more dumplings! Authentic Tirolean cuisine – including, of course, dumplings – can be enjoyed at the Sennhütte, the Rodelalm and the Sonnbichl.
For those who’d like to cook for themselves, we highly recommend the Arlberg Regio-Box: it offers locals and visitors the chance to buy fresh organic produce from local farmers. The Regio-Box is located on the right-hand side as you enter St. Anton.
Hiking, Mountain biking, yoga – or perhaps a spot of spa pampering at the Arlberg Wellcom or the Stanzertal Wellness Park? St. Anton also has plenty to offer culturally, with its museum. The building itself is impressive enough. The museum provides a good overview of the eventful history of St. Anton and the entire region.
A real highlight for families: the high ropes course in the Verwall Valley. This lovely course is situated right on the banks of the Rosanna. At a height of six metres, you can let off steam whilst climbing amongst the trees. A lovely photo opportunity: the more than 100,000 Edelweiss flowers that bloom in the shape of a giant blossom from July onwards at the alpine hut above St. Anton. In 2017, a jury from ‘Guinness World Records’ named this floral spectacle the world’s number one in terms of the number of flowers.
The Darmstädter and Konstanzer Mountain Lodges/Huts are two top-class climbing lodges situated right in the heart of the mountains. Down in the valley, you can choose from a range of accommodation options, from flats and campsites to guesthouses and top-class wellness hotels – all of the highest standard in St Anton.
Every guest receives the St. Anton Summer Card free of charge from their accommodation provider from their first night’s stay. It entitles you to a range of discounts and even free activities, including a full day’s unlimited use of all operating Uphill Facilities, a yoga session, a guided hike and archery, as per the weekly programme.
Anyone hiring an E-Bike receives a discount with the Summer Card. The following sports shops offer E-Bike hire: Sport Alber, Intersport Arlberg, Sport Jennewein, Sport Pete and Sport Matt. The cost ranges from 35 to 70 euros; with the Summer Card, 20 euros are deducted.
Tips & Safety
Would you like to know more about climbing safety? Click here for our safety tips.
