In the millions of years since the Tethys Sea and its trilobites drained away, the limestone Nockberge have been worn down by wind and rain, leaving them lower (largely under 2,400m) and more dome-like than their pointier neighbours to the south and west. The landscape here feels kinder and more intimate; as the local tourist board says, this is “the gentler face of the alps”.

Despite some mineral wealth beneath the hills, this has historically been one of the poorer regions of Austria; the preserve of artisanal miners and cow-herds. In the early 1980s the local people voted against developing the Nockalm into a ski destination. Consequently, the alpine environment has been left gloriously intact, the only sign of human presence often being the small herds of dairy cows grazing freely in the wildflower meadows, or alms, that carpet the mountainsides.

Today, a single, beautiful two-lane road, the Nockalmstrasse, runs through the heart of the Nockalm. The 35-km long road cuts through stands of spruce and stone pine, curving gently before reaching the first of 52 hairpin bends. The road climbs past chalets and farms to its highest point, Eisentalhöhe, at over 2000m elevation.

With its beautiful scenery and gorgeous curves, the Nockalmstrasse attracts drivers, motorbikers and cyclists each summer during its May–October open season. Ideally, one would leave time to drive the whole route twice; once for the sheer pleasure of the drive, and once to visit all the rest stops. Within easy reach of the road, it’s possible to soak in an alpine farmers’ bath (larch wood troughs, filled with spring water and heated with hot stones), drink the freshest milk you’re ever likely to taste, refuel on homemade soup and dumplings, and sniff spike lavender – a species found only in these mountains.

The Nockalm region was recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Park in 2012. This designation is given to areas – like this one – where both the natural environment and the local culture are unique.

One place that reflects this uniqueness is Das Almdorf. Well before UNESCO got in on the act, Karl and Isabelle Steiner recognised that the Nockalm was a special place and dreamed up their own Almdorf (a mountain village) that combined a traditional Austrian cabin holiday with five-star service, food and accommodation. The result is stunning – the original village has now grown to two groups of beautiful chalets, both set overlooking the valley far below. Each house has been constructed with traditional techniques and local pine, and – from the fantastic beds, to the wine cellars, saunas and hot tubs – furnished lovingly and with incredible attention to detail.

While Das Almdorf certainly isn’t the first luxury hotel in the Alps, it is one of a very few that devote such care and attention to providing a luxurious experience in a way that is sustainable and that chooses to blend into its natural surroundings, rather than standing out. Respecting the mountain environment and culture that inspired it – a very “Nocky” touch…

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A short drive from the Nockalm and Das Almdorf is Gmuend, where the first Porsches were manufactured during the Second World War. Today, the village attracts car lovers with its private Porsche museum  – a story for another time!

Explore the “Nocky Mountains”…

…and experience the best of the Alps on one of our private journeys

• Customise an existing itinerary or create an entirely new journey
• Go where you want, when you want
• Share the experience with a private group of friends or family

• spoil yourself with gorgeous hotels and delicious meals
• drive on some of the world’s most beautiful roads
• immerse yourself in the landscapes and cultures of Germany, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Austria as you travel through the Eastern Alps to the Adriatic