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Become Mindful in the Arlberg

Take time to breathe and be in the stunning surroundings of the Arlberg.

Ask an Arlberg native about mindfulness and they will look at you with amused bewilderment. Being fully present, taking care of your holistic wellbeing, and letting go of anxiety is not something they think about — because in the Arlberg, this happens automatically. 

Residents of the Alps don’t have mediation apps on their smartphones, or a fitness tracker that clocks roundtrips to the office coffee maker. Instead they have nature’s breathtaking playground at their feet and a welcoming, easy-going local culture. Spending time in this simple world is like hitting the reset button on your body, mind, and soul.

Breathing in the Arlberg’s air you immediately notice the difference: it’s fresh, clean, and, most importantly, Alpine. This is the air that centuries ago was already known for its healing powers and still attracts visitors who want to get away from pollutants and allergens. There is actual science behind the health-benefits of the Arlberg’s high-altitude air. Because it’s thin, your body works harder to transport oxygen through the blood, creating lots of new red blood cells. This decreases your risk for heart disease, stroke, and other common ailments.

The locals' way to get fresh air is to walk and hike the dazzling mountains. To them this isn’t about exercise, but rather about experiencing nature and spending time with family, friends, and themselves. Each step is meaningful, yet nobody is counting. A great place to practice the art of hiking for the fun of it is the Formarinsee lake east of the Lech and St. Anton, which was voted Austria’s most beautiful place in 2015. Every spring it fills with crystal-clear melt water from the surrounding peaks, drains into the ground, and fills up again. 

  • Relaxing in the Arlberg © Arlberg Marketing GmbH / Christoph Schöch Relaxing in the Arlberg © Arlberg Marketing GmbH / Christoph Schöch

If you're not the hiking type you can get fresh air while sun-bathing in a mountain hut in pristine surroundings. Sitting outside the wooden Alpine huts and letting the sun warm your face is one of the most relaxing experiences you can have in the Arlberg. It feels like a spa treatment and you'll come away with new energy and a subtle glow that lingers for days. A great place to do this is the Sennhütte hut near St. Anton, which is accessible by car and a typically Alpine establishment with hearty food. If nature inspires you to take a few steps after all, there is a gentle walking path that introduces you to local flowers and starts at the Sennhütte. The hut's claim to fame is the world's largest Edelweiss - which is made up of 2,000 individual Edelweiss blossoms.

Austrians know that for holistic well-being you have to stimulate your brain. What better way to do that than with a group of other curious minds? The Cultural Summer in Lech Zürs puts on a program of festivals that range from medicine to philosophy, classical music, and literature. The Medicinicum Lech invites medical professionals to the Arlberg to talk about the latest developments in the field of health and science. Elite musicians and their fans gather for the Lech Classic Festival, where you can get inspired by the combination of Schubert, Beethoven, and the Austrian Alps. The Philosophicum Lech takes you on an abstract journey to contemplate life alongside thinkers, social scientists, and philosophers. It might be just what you need to get a new perspective and re-focus. The Arlberg Music Festival spans across the whole region and enlivens it with a diverse mix of swing and electro-swing, jazz and nu-jazz, rock 'n‘ roll, boogie, Latin, pop and soul.

One of the best times to plan a wellness trip to the Arlberg is late August, as this is when the Mountain Yoga Festival takes place in its blissed out villages. This festival, which already celebrated its third birthday in 2018, is a must for yoga lovers who like to spend time outdoors. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Arlberg's mountains you get to practice yoga with acclaimed teachers from all around the world. The Alps become your studio for the duration of the event and you have a chance to intersperse sessions with hikes and other restorative mountain adventures. It's the ultimate way to recharge mind, body, and soul.

The Arlberg’s excellent restaurants make mindful eating the natural thing to do. Most of the produce, dairy products, and meat are sourced locally, and the focus of every meal is pure enjoyment. Austrian food is slow food, and especially in the Alps there is no rushing at the dinner table. You can savor the simple, natural fare in spirited company thanks to the signature Gemütlichkeit and warm hospitality of your hosts. In Oberlech, Hotel Sonnenburg does great traditional Austrian cooking, but also features a 6-course vegan menu every night for a plant-based alternative. Restaurant Fuxbau in Stuben am Arlberg wants to get back to the Arlberg's roots with simple but refined local specialties. The team tries to create a home-y ambiance in their small restaurant to provide guests with a calm food experience.  

What happens after a day of blissful hiking, art and philosophy, joyful eating, and being pampered? The deepest sleep of your life, thanks to nature’s gentle sound machine.

  • Stunning nature in the Arlberg © TVB St. Anton am Arlberg Stunning nature in the Arlberg © TVB St. Anton am Arlberg

Useful information

Austria. Itineraries.



Hotels in the Arlberg Region


The Arlberg Region


The Arlberg Region

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