An Alm is a high plateau in the Alps or the Karawanken, giving lush feeding grounds for mostly cattle during the summer months. It is equipped with some stables, where the animals may find shelter during inclement weather, as well as a building for the people who look after the cows and the many hikers seeking a meal and a bed.
'Beds' are offered in the form of bunk beds, or as multiple mattresses in a common room. The larger Alms sometimes offer well prepared but simple meals to hikers, while the smaller ones offer only 'cold plates'.
Yesterday we drove up to the 'Wackendorfer Alm'.
About 1600 meters above see level, it may be reached by car via a rather rough, 12 km long road, with, what seems like 1000 hair-pin turns.
I apologized to my car time and time again.
Unfortunately, two days before, the cattle had been taken down into the valley to their respective owners, thereby removing much of the romance of an Alm.
Here are just a few pictures to give you an idea of this high place:
for the thirsty hiker:
On the way up to the Alm, pure mountain spring water.
You cannot have better than that.
All along the road:
Karawanken- or Pannonian Enzian.
The stable
The Stable and the "facility"
A little Chapel
The Main Building with kitchen, eating room and bunk-bedroom and
mattresses on the upper level.
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