Culinary Hiking Trails

We’re passionate about food and hiking. And when paired together, we’re in heaven. In the last few years, we’ve developed a love for hiking for food.

We can appreciate the experience of hauling our own meals up a mountain. But how glorious is it to reward yourself with a delicious feast during a hike – one that you didn’t have to prepare? Or go on a wine tasting hike? As we travel the world, we’re actively seeking out the best culinary hiking trails.

Culinary hikes are those that combine the art of food with the beauty of nature. Several hikes listed below are thematic culinary trails, while others are culinary hiking destinations. Read on to find out where you can embrace epicurean pleasures with the glorious outdoors.

Hochschwab Summit – Schiestlhaus Hut, Hochschwab Group

Hochschwab mountain is the highest point in the Hochschwab mountain range in the Northern Limestone Alps of Austria. The dome-shaped mountain is a fantastic hiking destination for those seeking beautiful mountain scenery, wildlife viewings of ibex and chamois, and delicious food.

You can hike to the summit and overnight in the modern mountain refuge, Schiestlhaus, which is located directly below the summit.

The hut’s bright and cheerful interior offers a lovely place to dine. Most mountain huts in Austria only offer traditional food, but Schiestlhaus serves up the traditional fair alongside more fusion-styles. 

Where to Eat:Schiestlhaus & Häuslalm

What to Eat: Griesschmarrn, Käsespätzle,  sweet potato curry

Learn More: Hochschwab – Schiestlhaus Hike

Schladminger Tauern High Trail

The Schladminger Tauern High Trail (Höhenweg in German) is an epic multi-day hike in the Austrian Alps. The trail runs along the summits and ridge lines of the Schladminger Tauern mountains and drops into idyllic valleys and alpine cirques.

We hiked 5 stages of the trail, but it’s easy to shorten the hike and only tackle 1, or 2 stages. As you hike from hut-to-hut in this beautiful region of Styria, you’ll always have a delicious meal at the end of the day.

Culinary highlights of this trek included the Kaiserschmarrn at Keinprechtshütte and the Schweinsbraten at Preintalerhütte.

Where to Eat:Ignaz-Mattis Hütte, Keinprechtshütte (phenomenal), Landwirseehütte, Preintalerhütte

What to Eat: Käsespätzle, Bauernpfandl, Schweinsbraten mit Kraut und Knödel, Goulash

What to Drink: Fresh Buttermilk, Schladminger Beer

Learn More: Schladminger Tauern High Trail

Tierser Alpl, Dolomites

Rifugio Alpe di Tires (Tierser Alpl Schutzhaus in German) is an exceptional mountain hut located in the Naturpark Schlern – Rosengarten in the Italian Dolomites and makes for a great culinary hiking destination.

Tierser Alpl specializes in Tyrollean cuisine with Mediterranean influence.

There are several ways to hike to Rifugio Alpe di Tires. Starting at Compaccio (Compatsch) atop the Alpe di Siusi (Seiser Alm) plateau, you can hike to the hut via Rifugio Bolzano along this Rifugio Bolzano – Rifugio Alpe di Tires Circuit Trail, or  over the Rosszähne (Denti di Terrarossa) saddle along this Compaccio – Rifugio Alpe di Tires hike.

Another option is to approach the hut from Val d’Ega (Eggental). Learn more in our 3-Day Rosengarten Trek.

You can hike here for lunch, or better yet, stay the night. Imagine eating a delicious three-course meal with wine after a three-hour hike.

Where to Eat: Rifugio Alpe di Tires / Tierser Alpl Schutzhaus

What to Eat: Speckknödel (dumplings with bacon), Rindstafelspitz mit Röstkartoffeln (boiled beef in broth with roasted potatoes) and any of their homemade cakes.

Learn More about the Dolomites:

• Best Things to Do in the Dolomites 
• Best Places to Visit in the Dolomites
• Best Day Hikes in the Dolomites
• How to Get to the Dolomites
• How to Visit the Dolomites Without a Car
• 5 Day Dolomites Road Trip
• 7 Day Dolomites Road Trip
• 10-14 Day Dolomites Road Trip
• Where to Stay in the Dolomites in Summer
• Best Hotels in the Dolomites 

Büllelejochhütte, Dolomites

Büllelejochhütte (Rifugio Pian di Cengia) is a charming mountain hut that dishes up some mind-blowing food in Tre Cime Natural Park (Drei Zinnen) in the Sexten Dolomites.

To reach this spectacular hut, take trail no. 101 from the famous Dreizinnenhütte. The mountain hut Dreizinnenhütte faces the north side of the iconic three peaks – Tre Cime di Lavaredo – and also offers hearty South Tyrolean cuisine.

The trail to Büllelejochhütte begins with stunning views of the two Bödenseen lakes (Lago di Piani) and traverses a treeless rocky landscape beneath the mountain Paternkofel.

Büllelejochhütte serves a three-course dinner for overnight guests. The quality and presentation of the meals exceeded our expectations. Seated in a cozy wooden dining space, dinner is served at a specific time, where all hut guests eat together. Amazing experience!!

Where to Eat:Büllelejochhütte, Dreizinnenhütte

What to Eat: Schlutzkrapfen (ravioli), Knödel (dumplings), Goulash

Learn More: Tre Cime di Lavaredo 3 Day Trek

Ahr Valley Red Wine Trail

The Ahr Valley (Ahrtal in German) is a region in Rhineland Palatinate and North Rhine-Westphalia that surrounds the narrow River Ahr. It’s also Germany’s largest red wine-growing region.

The best way to experience the Ahrtal is by drinking wine, and even better, by hiking the Red Wine Trail (Rotweinwanderweg) while drinking wine. We recommend starting the hike in Altenahr and ending in Dernau. While the region is famous for its reds, the Spätburgunder Blanc de Noir white wines were the ones that impressed us the most.

What to Drink: Spätburgunder (pinot noir), Dornfelder, Frühburgunder, Portugieser, Spätburgunder Blanc de Noir

Where to Drink Wine: Weingut O. Schell, Hofgarten Weingut Meyer Näkel,  Weingut Kloster Marienthal

Learn More: Ahr Valley Travel Guide

More Hikes in Germany:

• Best Hikes in Garmisch-Partenkirchen
• Lake Eibsee
• Partnach Gorge Hike
• Alpspitze Via Ferrata
• Kreuzeck to Höllentalklamm Gorge Hike
• Hochplatte Hike, Ammergau Alps 
• Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Winter
• Hoher Kranzberg Hike, Mittenwald, Bavaria

Mountain Inn Äscher, Appenzellerland

Built into the side of the mountain, Berggasthaus Äscher is one of those places that romances you at first sight. This photogenic mountain guesthouse is a rewarding place to eat lunch after a strenuous hike in the Alpstein in Appenzell, northeastern Switzerland.

You can reach this mountain inn by hiking from Seealpsee (beautiful alpine lake), or by taking the Ebenalp Cableway up to the summit of the mountain and hiking down to Äscher (25 minutes).

Where to Eat: Berggasthaus Äscher. You can also buy cheese directly from the local dairy farms along the trail and have a picnic at Seealpsee.

What to Eat: Appenzeller Cheese, Rösti (hash browns). You can order Rösti with eggs, Appenzeller cheese (recommended), and bacon.

Learn More: How to Get to Berggasthaus Aescher

Mountain Inn Bollenwees Appenzellerland

Bollenwees is a mountain guesthouse and restaurant located at the dreamy lake Fählensee in the Alpstein.

We recommend beginning this culinary hike at the Hoher Kasten cable car mountain station. From the summit, you’ll have an incredible panoramic view of the Rhine Valley, Appenzellerland, Lake Constance and surrounding mountain ranges.

The trail follows the rolling eastern ridge of the Alpstein. Along the way, you’ll have bird’s-eye views of Sämtisersee lake, Fählensee lake, and the iconic Kreuzberge mountain chain. When you reach Fählensee, reward yourself with a much-deserved Rösti at Bollenwees.

Where to Eat: Bollenwees

What to Eat: Appenzeller Cheese, Rösti (hash browns).

Learn More: Hoher Kasten – Saxer Lücke – Lake Fälsensee Hike