St. Anton am Arlberg - that sounds like crunching snow, endless ski slopes and powder fun. That's right. But St. Anton am Arlberg also definitely sounds like climbing fun, mountain hut fun and sustainability in action - combined with fresh air on hot summer days in a stunning mountain setting.
The next climbing vacation needs to be planned, but traveling by car or van again - is that still ecologically justifiable? Are there perhaps other options? The clear answer is: Yes, there are options for an ecological climbing vacation in the Alps! Take St. Anton am Arlberg, for example - the sophisticated resort is perfectly accessible by train. The train station is conveniently located in the center of St. Anton and therefore in the immediate vicinity of various sports stores that rent out e-bikes. As a guest with a summer card, you even get a discount! But that's not all, because St. Anton has been completely self-sufficient in electricity since 2006 thanks to the Kartell power station. Lake Kartell generates around 33 million kilowatt hours of electricity every year - so much that even a neighboring power plant can draw on it. So far so eco-friendly. If you then consistently get around the region on foot or by e-bike during your climbing vacation, you have not only chosen the most gentle way to get to know a new landscape, but also one of the most environmentally friendly.
Incidentally, the climbing scene prefers to meet at the climbing crags at the Darmstädter Hütte. 50 routes between fourth and eighth grade offer plenty of potential for long climbing sessions. A real "Anton climbing vacation" also includes an ascent of the Arlberg via ferrata and a dumpling meal in the Darmstädter Hütte - and all of this is virtually climate-neutral.
The Darmstädter Hütte high above St. Anton am Arlberg, photo: Simon Schöpf
Darmstädter Hütte - climbing hotspot with international flair
South of St. Anton, at an altitude of 2,384 meters, lies the Darmstädter Hütte in a high mountain basin. The DAV hut of the Darmstadt/Hesse section has developed into a hotspot for the climbing scene in recent years. This is no surprise, as the high altitude promises a cool breeze on hot summer days and therefore unadulterated climbing fun. What's more, the 50 or so climbing routes are all located around the hut, spread across seven climbing gardens. And then there's something for almost everyone: for families, climbing groups and ambitious climbers who want to tackle more difficult routes. Oh yes, the climbing areas around the Darmstädter Hütte naturally also have a heart for multi-pitch fans - that almost goes without saying in this alpine terrain with the mighty Kuchenspitze (3,148 m). And so, during the summer months, the Darmstädter Hütte attracts a colorful and sometimes international climbing crowd.
The multitude of routes and the seemingly endless hiking possibilities make the stone refuge the perfect starting point and therefore the center of a vacation and overnight stay for a climbing vacation in St. Anton. The ascent is either on foot (approx. 3 hours) or by e-bike, including luggage, child and cone a little more time-consuming, but definitely worthwhile - especially as the ascent can be divided up nicely as a full-day program in stages including a stop at the hut.
The climbing gardens around the Darmstädter Hütte combine many advantages, photo: Simon Schöpf
Arlberg via ferrata - enduring, challenging, breathtaking
The Arlberg via ferrata is definitely one of the high alpine classics and boasts more than just a breathtaking panorama. It requires technical and alpine skills, arm strength, sure-footedness, a head for heights and stamina. Studying the topos doesn't hurt either, as does an honest assessment of your own abilities. If you have any doubts, book a local mountain guide and set off on the three-kilometre-long tightrope act as a guided tour. At dizzying heights along steep walls and over slender rock ledges, the route climbs up almost vertical walls. The panoramic views are breathtaking and range from the Lechtal and Allgäu Alps to the Stubai and Ötztal Alps to the Verwall Group and Silvretta. The airy ups and downs lead over the Knoppenjochspitze, the Lisunspitze, the Haizähne and the Weißschrofenspitze. Depending on your ability and fitness level, plan four to six hours of walking time. Be sure to study and interpret the weather forecast carefully in advance.
Erich Schweiger via ferrata - St. Anton am Arlberg, Photo: TVB St. Anton, Patrick Bätz
After climb and culinary delights
Many a climber almost forgets the beauty of the routes and the wildness of nature when it comes to the dumplings at the Darmstädter Hütte. For some, they are a real ace up their sleeve, the trump card in their hand and a culinary revelation. So it's clear where the scene meets after climbing: the dumpling meal at the Darmstädter Hütte. Also worthwhile: Rossfall or Tritschalpe - even more dumplings! Genuine Tyrolean cuisine, including dumplings, can be enjoyed at the Sennhütte, the Rodelalm and the Sonnbichl. If you want to cook for yourself, we recommend the Arlberg-Regio-Box: It offers locals and guests the opportunity to buy fresh organic produce from local farmers. The Regio-Box is located on the right-hand side as you enter St. Anton.
The Darmstädter Hütte is known for its wonderful dumplings, photo: TVB St. Anton, Patrick Bätz
A schnapps for dessert is said to be good for your health, photo: TVB St. Anton, Patrick Bätz
Everything except climbing
Hiking, biking, yoga or would you prefer some spa fun at the Arlberg Wellcom or the Stanzertal Wellness Park? St. Anton also has a lot to offer culturally with its museum. The building alone is impressive. The museum itself offers a good overview of the eventful history of St. Anton and the entire region. Very interesting for families: the high ropes course in Verwalltal. The beautiful course is located directly on the banks of the Rosanna. You can let off steam climbing between trees at a height of six meters. Beautiful photo motif for home or social media: the more than 100,000 edelweiss, which bloom in the form of a giant flower from July at the Sennhütte above St. Anton. In 2017, a jury of the "Guinness World Records" voted the floral splendor the world's number 1 by number of flowers.
Overnight stay
The Darmstädter and Konstanzer Hütte are two top climbing accommodations in the middle of the mountains. In the valley, you can choose from apartments, campsites, guesthouses and top-class wellness hotels from the St. Anton superlative.
Darmstädter Hütte, photo: TVB St. Anton, Patrick Bätz
Summer Card
