Vast green meadows, gentle hills, and a splendid view of Innsbruck, the capital of the Alps. The Mieming Plateau displays its most beautiful colors until well into autumn. The sky is bright, the air is clear, and the landscape is surrounded by majestic mountains with already snow-capped peaks, while the sun still warmly heats the days. It’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a few days of vacation to get to know and savor Tyrolean specialties on two wheels, along a new and tempting route: the Culinary Cycle Path.
Tyrolean Flavors on Two Wheels
The Mieming Plateau gifts splendid sunny days in autumn. Here, summer seems never-ending, so much so that this area has earned the nickname Sonnenplateau, or sun plateau, where the sun shines at least 200 days a year, casting a unique light on the autumnal colors. The vivid green of the meadows creates incredible contrasts with the warm hues of the woods. The blue sky meets the clear waters of the lakes and provides an exclusive backdrop for the farmhouses and mountain huts you encounter along the trails.
A romantic and unique landscape to discover on two wheels, along the Culinary Cycle Path. A simple route, with no significant elevation changes, about 30 km long, perfect for riding an e-bike. You can stay in one of the rural accommodations on the plateau, skillfully renovated with an eye for design, all without losing the charm of tradition. In the morning, after an excellent and healthy breakfast, always prepared with local products, you set off to discover the sometimes little-known specialties of this area. You can rent an electric bike in the village and head out on the Culinary Cycle Path, with 25 well-marked stops where you can taste and buy all typical Tyrolean products directly from farmers: artisanal honey, fresh fruit, as well as eggs, cheese made from the milk of these pastures’ cows, speck, freshly baked bread, sweets, and of course, the famous schnapps.
Between one pedal stroke and the next, surrounded by enchanting scenery, you can fill your bike’s basket and gather everything you need for an unforgettable picnic on the grass, surrounded by mountains, warmed by the autumn sun, and spoiled by delicious treats to enjoy.
25 Tasty Stops
There are so many delicious stops where you can fill your basket—just pick your favorites! A visit to the Raiffeisen-Lagerhaus farmers’ market in Mieming is a must—it’s held on Fridays from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. You can find all the local farmers’ products: bread, eggs, bacon, sausages, meat, milk, butter, alpine cheese, goat cheese and yogurt, vegetables, fruit brandies, grappa, and honey. Anyone who loves speck, particularly flavorful and tasty in Tyrol, can’t miss the prestigious Speck Mair butchery in Telfs, where speck is smoked with beech wood and made with pepper, juniper, and Tarrenz garlic. Also in Telfs, there’s an organic mustard factory, where mustard seeds are cold-ground with a granite millstone. You can taste and buy 16 varieties of mustard, from those with aromatic herbs to those with chocolate and chili, or with ginger (www.weber-senf.at). Speck and many other typical products can be found in Mieming at Dismas, where the Alber family cultivates fields and raises pigs, producing several types of speck and raw sausages on-site, as well as running a small, refined farm shop. The Michelerhof farm, also located in the Mieming hills, specializes in producing milk, yogurt, and butter.
A visit to the splendid Abbey of Stams, a Cistercian monastery built in the 13th century, is well worthwhile. In 1593 it was partly destroyed by fire and later rebuilt and expanded in the Baroque style. The Abbey is also a place where traditional flavors are preserved, with production of grappas, liqueurs, sweets, and jams. The monastery shop offers several varieties of jams made by the monks with local fruit, fine liqueurs, award-winning spirits, and many other typical products. A special tip: don’t miss the delicious bread baked in a wood-fired oven by Brother Franz, who bakes it fresh several times a week.
The Tradition of Schnapps
It is among the most prized culinary delights of Tyrol. While other alcoholic drinks, such as beer and wine, often had to be imported from distant lands, the basic ingredients for distilling schnapps were right at hand, often directly from the farmers’ own gardens. Indeed, all types of fruits such as apples, pears, and plums, as well as all sorts of berries—from cranberries to elderberries or juniper—lend themselves perfectly to making this spirit. Less common fruits, such as those of the wild rowan or sloe, as well as plants like gentian or masterwort, are also used.
Over time, schnapps has become a fine and exquisite spirit, capturing the aroma and flavor of the fruit it is derived from, as well as all the strength and warmth of the sun that has ripened it. The experience and skill of the master distiller then give the schnapps its unmistakable flavor. In Tyrolean tradition, schnapps has always played an important role: a shot of schnapps would seal a good deal just closed.
Along the Culinary Cycle Path, you can taste schnapps from various producers. Among them, the Fink Hof distillery in Wildermieming makes its schnapps with carefully selected fruit and pure spring water from Wildermieming.
Innsbruck, the Capital of the Alps
For those who don’t want to miss a stroll through the lively streets of a historic city center—with shops, cafés, theaters, and patisseries—Innsbruck is just a few kilometers away. A city full of surprises, where nothing is predictable or ordinary—not even the lift system. In just 15 minutes, you can go from the city center to the pure air of the high mountains: the spectacular funicular designed by starchitect Zaha Hadid awaits mountain lovers in the heart of the city and takes them directly up to the peaks. From here, you can set off on unforgettable hikes or decide to enjoy a fine Austrian coffee at the Alpen Lounge Seegrube, the new jewel of the Nordkette, Innsbruck’s highest chill-out zone, with relaxing music, refined dishes, creative cocktails, and a fantastic terrace for sunbathing.
And then it’s back down for a stroll along the renovated Maria-Theresien Strasse, between elegant shops, outdoor cafés, and patisseries, facades decorated in perfect Habsburg style, the famous Golden Roof, and the majestic Nordkette mountain range in the background. In the evening, the city lights up: just choose one of the renowned restaurants and plan your after-dinner in a trendy venue, among theater shows, concerts, and casinos.
Delicious Holidays on the Mieming Plateau
Mieming is offering a special package valid until October 15, 2019, for those who want to try the Culinary Cycle Path. 4 nights, from Sunday to Thursday, in a ***superior hotel starting from €409 per person in a double room with half board, or in a ***guesthouse starting from €165 per person in a double room with breakfast.
The offer includes: guided nature walk, alpine guide to Simmeringalm, circular hike on Pfaffenhofer Alm or a carriage ride, and the benefits of the Welcome Card.
Info: Innsbruck Tourismus, tel. +43-512-59850, office@innsbruck.info
