Golden October in the Alps – Experience it in an eco-friendly way Marilou Cabatingan, 10/06/202510/18/2025 “Autumn is always our best time,” said Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The German poet was a great nature lover and hiker, and he found autumn to be excitingly beautiful and inspiring. Our sustainable partner hotels in the Alps also recommend autumn as a fantastic time to travel, especially if, like Goethe, you enjoy hiking. The leaves of the beech, larch, and maple trees turn golden The expression “golden autumn” or “golden October” has been used in German for hundreds of years and refers to the landscape at this time of year in a positive way. The leaves of the deciduous trees turn yellow, red and orange. When the sun shines on them, it creates a “golden” impression that warms the heart. A large part of the Alps is covered by forest. The mixed mountain forest, which gives the Alps their golden appearance, extends to the tree line at about 2,200 meters, although a study of the altitudinal distribution of trees in the Lucerne Pre-Alps showed that the highest altitudes are almost exclusively spruce. Three main tree species occur naturally in the mountain forests of the Alps: spruce, fir, and beech; to a lesser extent, larch, maple, and pine, and at higher altitudes, Swiss stone pine.” – Deutscher Alpenverein Of course, the fall colors are especially interesting for deciduous trees (except for larches). But the most beautiful thing about a mountain vacation is the wide view through the autumn landscape, where dark conifers, rough rocks and autumn leaves create a natural painting. No wonder Goethe was so enthusiastic. There are always new vistas to discover on a hike, and from a mountain hut or hotel, the view of the alpine landscape changes with the time of day. Conservation during your fall vacation in the Alps Because the Alps are so beautiful, mass tourism has become a problem. Mountaineering icon Reinhold Messner is calling for a passport tax and a comprehensive plan to distribute the flow of tourists. Martin Riz, the manager of a mountain hut in the Dolomites, recently complained in the media that many tourists show a “lack of respect” for nature and simply ignore prohibitions. Specific problems are: Illegal Wild Camping Litter Dog excrement left behind Swimming in mountain lakes where it is expressly forbidden (e.g. Lake Antermoia in the Dolomites or the Austrian Lake Constance in Styria). If you want to travel in an environmentally friendly way in the Alps, always pay attention to the regulations, stay on the marked hiking trails, do not leave any litter (especially no toxic cigarette butts) and do not harm the flora and fauna. (So don’t pick wild flowers or feed animals). Golden October in the Hohe Tauern National Park Thundering water in the Hohe Tauern National Park The Hohe Tauern National Park in the Austrian Alps is the oldest national park in Austria and, at about 800 square kilometers, one of the largest nature reserves in Europe. The panorama is characterized by the summits of several three thousand meter peaks (the highest is the Gro?glockner at 3,798 meters), glaciers and forests. According to a forest survey, the “leading tree species” depend on the altitude. In the higher altitudes you can find pine, spruce and fir, but also deciduous forests with maple, ash, mountain elm, gray and green alder, beech and mixed forests. The Outside Nature Hotel attracts guests with its “nature at its best” concept Enjoy nature and relax at the hotel Naturhotel Outside is located in the middle of the National Park. The family-run hotel has several mountain and hiking experts with whom you can explore the alpine region. In addition, a varied program is offered in close cooperation with the national park rangers. Otherwise, the hotel invites you to relax. In the wellness area with saunas and pool, during dinner with regional culinary delights and of course in the natural, cozy flair. Autumn atmosphere at Hotel Klosterbrau in Seefeld Aerial view of the Leutasch Ghost Gorge in autumn “The Seefeld region is especially inviting in the fall for excursions and adventures, but it also offers peace and relaxation,” writes Hotel Klosterbrau. This sustainable wellness hotel is surrounded by more than 650 kilometers of hiking trails, 570 kilometers of biking trails, and numerous mountain huts and cabins. Built on the walls of an old monastery, the hotel has a wonderfully magical atmosphere in the fall with its many vaulted ceilings and candles. Wellness at the sustainable Hotel Klosterbrau “When the morning mist transforms the Garden of Eden into a mystical realm, the positive autumn melancholy is best endured. The moment when body and nature prepare for winter. For an autumn afternoon, we recommend a forest bath with Nadine and Andrea”. – Hotel Klosterbr?u Enchanting views of the Tyrolean Inn Valley from the organic hotel Grafenast “More than 40 percent of Tyrol is covered by forest, and more than half (66 percent) is protected.” – Waldgeschichten.com There is a good reason for this, because the mountain forest fulfills an important function. Not only as a habitat, but also as protection against natural hazards such as avalanches and rockfalls. Biohotel Grafenast is located at an altitude of 1,330 meters and offers a magnificent view of the forest in the Tyrolean Inn Valley. According to the Tyrolean forest typology, this is one of the few places where field elms grow naturally. Elms are also among the trees with the most beautiful golden-yellow autumn leaves. Tip:The family hotel is particularly suitable for a vacation with children. Sustainable chalets and vacation homes in Tyrol If you value your privacy and prefer to cook for yourself during your fall vacation, you can rent a chalet or other vacation accommodation. The Hygna Chalets in the Alpbachtal valley beautifully combine alpine cabin flair with modern luxury. Some of the chalets even have their own sauna and/or private outdoor hot tub. The hot tub is heated and can be used in the fall – a wonderful place to watch nature change! For those traveling with more than two people, Summit Lodges Pfunds offers an entire log cabin with its own fireplace and private sauna. From your vacation home, you will be in the midst of the fall scenery of the Tyrolean Alps. Especially beautiful in autumn is the rutting of the deer and wildlife watching in the Radur valley, the play of colors in the forest. Another highlight are the cattle drives with cows, horses and sheep. – Summit Lodges Pfunds South Tyrol’s intense fall colors Sunlight changes in the fall as well According to the government of South Tyrol, the vast majority of trees in South Tyrol are conifers. About 60 percent of the trees are spruce. There are also pines, larches, and Swiss stone pines. There are also deciduous trees such as beech, hop hornbeam, downy oak and manna ash. Did you know that larches turn yellow in the fall? Almost a fifth of the trees in South Tyrol are larches. This tree is the only conifer in the region that turns yellow and loses its needles in the fall. It is therefore a “deciduous tree” like the broad-leaved trees. Sustainable hotels with panoramic views in South Tyrol The golden autumn panorama of the Alps is best enjoyed from places with a view. For example, the Plose, home of the sustainable wellness hotel My Arbor, is a beautiful panoramic mountain overlooking the Dolomites. The mild temperatures and relaxed atmosphere of fall are ideal for exploring the charming towns of South Tyrol. It is especially nice to combine hiking with a visit to a cozy wine tavern. Not only do they serve delicious regional specialties, but also the typical “T?rggele”. -My Arbor In the Dolomites themselves, the Paradiso Pure.Living Vegan Hotel is located on the Seiser Alm at an altitude of 2,020 meters. Autumn is a wonderful time to hike on Europe’s largest high alpine pasture. The alpine air is even clearer, the colors of nature even more intense. In 2024, the hotel went completely vegan, making it the second purely vegan hotel in the network. The first one was LA VIMEA in Naturno. You can also enjoy the beautiful South Tyrolean mountains in Sand in Taufers. Here you will find the newly opened OLM Nature Escape – an eco-aparthotel with unique architecture and surrounded by beautiful nature. We experience the most beautiful autumn hikes among vines and chestnuts in the nearby Eisack Valley. We take the train to Brixen and then walk along the Keschtnweg trail to Tils, Pinzagen and Feldthurns to Glanger for potato leaves with sauerkraut. An incredible treat. Also because the host plays music so well.” – OLM Nature Escape Autumn on the Ritten The Ritten Plateau is a popular fall destination in the Sarntal Alps. It is also known as the “sunny plateau”. The “Ritten Card” is especially useful for a vacation, as it allows you to use all public transportation (including the cable car to the plateau) for free – hop on, hop off! There are three wonderful green pearls on the Ritten which we can recommend for an overnight stay. The family-friendly Hotel Weihrerhof on the shore of Lake Wolfsgruben, the APIPURA Hotel Rinner with its own organic beekeeping, and the luxurious ADLER Lodge RITTEN. The ADLER Lodge RITTEN is staffed with hiking and biking guides who will explore the area with you. ADLER Lodge RITTEN is especially beautiful in the fall, when you can enjoy the impressive colors of nature. The forests turn into a sea of gold, red and orange, making the landscape unique. You can also watch the deer rut, a fascinating natural phenomenon that is especially impressive in the fall.“ – ADLER Lodge RITTEN Golden October in the Allgau The Allgau was once covered by primeval forest, but it has long since disappeared. Instead, there are now commercial forests, including many spruce monocultures. However, ecologically valuable mixed mountain forests are making a comeback. They are promoted, for example, in the Nagelfluhkette Nature Park. This is also the location of the HUBERTUS Allgau Mountain Resort, which supports the protection of mountain forests through its support of the mountain forest offensive – one of the conservation projects is right next to the hotel in Balderschwang. A hiking backpack for your excursions (and a yoga mat for stretching afterwards ) is waiting for you in your room. Back at the hotel you can enjoy the large wellness area. Castle Neuschwanstein “Autumn is hiking season,” reports the romantic boutique hotel Das Rübezahl in Füssen. The best way to go hiking is with the hotel’s own hiking concierge, ‘Bergbaschdi’. Find out which hiking trails await you in this interview with him. Matterhorn in autumn The Matterhorn in Zermatt The Matterhorn – the most beautiful of all Swiss mountains – looks simply breathtaking in the fall. “Autumn here has a very special charm,” writes the CERVO Mountain Resort in Zermatt. “While the mild days still invite you to linger on the terrace, you can end the evening comfortably in the Bazaar Lounge, with a warm drink in hand and a view of the colorful landscape.” – CERVO Mountain Resort The Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt is another cozy place to stay. This family-run boutique hotel offers breathtaking views of the Matterhorn and the Alpine landscape. Relax by the fireplace in the lobby or on the waterbeds in the Arvenstube lounge. There are wonderful hikes through our larch forest with its golden-yellow needles, to our clear mountain lakes, always with fantastic views or mystical fog in the fresh air”. – Hotel Bella Vista Zermatt Leaves can do more than just look pretty But the falling leaves in autumn are not only there to be beautiful. According to the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), they also perform important functions: Natural winter shelter for animals and plants Shelter for hedgehogs and insects (especially leaf piles) Nutrient for thousands of creatures that turn them into valuable humus All the more reason to enjoy the golden month of October! Travel