A palette of colours
Summer is over again, slowly but surely autumn is increasingly defining the mountain landscape. The trees in 1001 different shades of green on the slopes change to reds, oranges and yellows. As far as I am concerned, autumn in the mountains is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. And yet we often postpone our visit to the mountains until winter or summer. Of course, school holidays, a smaller supply of open hotels and restaurants and mountain cable cars play a big part in this.
I have some reasons for you why you should go to the mountains in the autumn holidays.
Peace and quiet
If, like me, you love the ultimate tranquillity of the mountains, the autumn season is an ideal time for a mountain holiday. Imagine this: you are at the top of your favourite mountain, but instead of walking in column to the cross you are (virtually) alone. You can hear the wind blowing over the mountain peak and in the distance you can hear a farmer's tractor doing the final work on his alm. You can also smell the fresh mountain air and perhaps the first snow of the year that is coming. Just getting away from it all is perfectly possible in autumn.
Beautiful scenery
Nature is getting ready for the approaching winter and, as a result, the leaves of the trees turn into the most amazing hues. Bring your camera along to take the most amazing photos.
Good accommodation
The main season is over which means that many accommodations are suddenly a lot cheaper. Perhaps not the most important reason to go to the mountains in autumn, but it's nice to pay less.
Mushrooms
The mushrooms shoot up like mushrooms, out of the ground in autumn. You'll find them in all shapes, sizes and various colours.
Almabtrieb
At the end of summer, the cows have to return from the alpine pastures to the farms in the valleys. This day is usually celebrated lavishly. The cows are beautifully decorated and led in large groups from the mountains down through the villages. Find out more about the almabtrieb.
Fresh air
It is naturally less warm in autumn than in summer, making it less sweaty on a good hike. Besides, the fresh mountain air does wonders for your lungs. If you are lucky, the Föhn will blow, as this warm wind makes for a pleasant late summer.
Please pay attention
If you like to use mountain cableways, do check before booking whether the mountain cableways in the area you want to go to are open during this period. Often, the mountain-lift season ends sometime in October. Then it is time for the overhaul and everything is prepared for the approaching winter sports season. If you prefer to walk up, bear in mind that when the mountain lifts stop running, the mountain restaurants are often closed as well. Check which restaurants and alpine huts are open first.
Conclusion
The autumn period is a time when the mountain landscape shows its best side, so if you can, book a week to relax. You can always try, right?
