A herb year in the Alps l | Eurohike HikingBlog

🌱 Spring: Fresh energy from the earth

Wild Garlic (Allium ursinum)
→ Habitat: Thrives in moist deciduous forests.
→ Season: March to May, before flowering begins.
→ Benefits/ uses: Rich in vitamin C and iron; excellent for pesto, salads, or herbal tea.

Yellow Gentian (Gentiana lutea L.)
→ Habitat: Prefers low-calcium soils at elevations between 1,000 and 2,750 meters; grows from partial shade to full sun.
→ Season: April to June, depending on the variety.
→ Benefits/ uses: Supports digestion, strengthens immunity, reduces fever, and aids wound healing.

Cowslip, also Primrose (Primula veris)
→ Habitat: Found in meadows, forest edges, and open deciduous woodlands; favors calcium-rich soils.
→ Season: Blooms from March onward.
→ Benefits/ uses: Provides calming relief for coughs and colds.

Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
→ Habitat: Grows in clayey, moist soils with sun to partial shade; also found in quarries, rubble sites, roadside edges, and slopes.
→ Season: Leaves emerge in early spring before flowering; flowers bloom from March to April.
→ Benefits / uses: Soothes coughs; ideal for use in cough syrups and teas.

Daisy (Bellis perennis)
→ Habitat: Common in meadows.
→ Season: Often available year-round.
→ Benefits / uses: Helps relieve coughs; excellent for cough syrups and teas.

Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
→ Habitat: Thrives in moist meadows and forest edges.
→ Season: Blooms from March to April.
→ Benefits / uses: Supports respiratory health, soothes skin conditions, eases nervous tension, and aids rheumatism relief.

Coltsfoot near waterfall Alpenueberquerung E5 Pitztal

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
→ Habitat: Found in meadows
→ Season: Early bloomer.
→ Benefits / uses: Leaves and roots aid detoxification and stimulate digestion.

Cuckooflower (Cardamine pratensis)
→ Habitat: Prefers moist meadows and areas near streams.
→ Season: Blooms late April through mid-May.
→ Benefits / uses: Relieves rheumatism and pain; supports liver and kidney function. Commonly consumed as a tea.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)
→ Habitat: Grows in moist soils along paths, forest edges, meadows, gardens, and parks.
→ Season: Harvested from March to October; best collected before flowering.
→ Benefits / uses: Young shoots are nutrient-rich; ideal for soups, teas, or as a wild vegetable.

Loewenzahn at the Watzmann Berchtesgaden

Hiking in the Alpine Region

The magic of walking accompanies you on our hiking tours through the Alpine region. Covering approximately 200,000 km², the Alps offer a diverse array of hikes suitable for every walking category. As the highest mountain range in Central Europe, the Alps stretch roughly 1,200 kilometers from the Ligurian Sea to the Pannonian Basin. This vast region covers eight countries—known as the Alpine states— including Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, France, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Monaco.

Hiking in the Alpine Region

The Austrian Alps

For many, Austria is home, for others, a place of longing. It welcomes both locals and visitors with stunning landscapes perfect for an active escape. Experience personalized hiking away from the crowds, explore trails across the Alpine region, and enjoy the freedom to set off anytime without extensive planning. With over half of Austria’s land covered by alpine mountains, it’s no surprise that hiking here is truly exceptional. From gentle walks for beginners to demanding mountain tours for experienced hikers, Austria offers something for every adventurer.

Mountain panorama with 3 cows on an alpine meadow in the foreground

Salzburg’s Peaks & Kitzbühel Alps

8 Days

26 ratings

Flower meadow on the Jenner with the Watzmann in the background

Bavarian & Salzburg Alps

8 Days

34 ratings

Hiker with mountain panorama in the background

Hohe Tauern National Park

8 Days

Hiker on meadow path on the mountain with mountain panorama

🌼 Summer: Blossoms and Healing Powers

Pasqueflower, also called Pasque flower (Pulsatilla vulgaris)
→ Habitat: Poor, acidic calcareous grasslands; found at upper montane to subalpine elevations.
→ Season: May to July.
→ Benefits / uses: Supports female hormonal balance and helps ease mood swings; used for respiratory issues, menstrual discomfort, nervousness, and digestion.

Arnica (Arnica montana)
→ Habitat: Nutrient-poor mountain meadows.
→ Season: June to August.
→ Benefits / uses: Relieves muscle and joint pain; applied externally as a tincture or ointment.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
→ Habitat: Meadows and roadside edges.
→ Season: June through October.
→ Benefits / uses: Promotes wound healing and reduces inflammation.

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
→ Habitat: Cultivated as a medicinal and ornamental plant in the temperate Alpine zones.
→ Season: Seeds sown mid-May to late June; flowering from July to September.
→ Benefits / uses: Rich in vitamin C; antibacterial and immune-boosting properties.

Thyme (Thymus serpyllum)
→ Habitat: Dry slopes and rocky soils; includes wild thyme and field thyme varieties.
→ Season: Blooms May to September; fresh shoots can be harvested year-round, with peak aroma just before flowering.
→ Benefits / uses: Versatile herb, especially effective for respiratory ailments; expectorant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antispasmodic.

Mountain savory (Satureja montana)
→ Habitat: Dry, sunny slopes.
→ Season: June til September.
→ Benefits / uses: Used both as a spice and medicinal herb; aids digestion, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, is stimulating, and considered an aphrodisiac (commonly used in liqueurs).

Silver Thistle (Carlina acaulis)
→ Habitat: Hills and mountainous areas, dry nutrient-poor meadows, heathlands, rocky slopes.
→ Season: July to August.
→ Benefits / uses: Diuretic, promotes sweating, anti-parasitic, and antibacterial properties.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
→ Habitat: Dry to semi-dry meadows and scrublands up to 1,800 meters elevation.
→ Season: Harvested in mid-summer, around the summer solstice (June 21).
→ Benefits / uses: Supports skin health, alleviates mild depressive symptoms, and aids wound healing.

Elderflowers (Sambucus): Black & red elderberry
→ Habitat: Grows in the Alps up to approximately 1,500 meters elevation.
→ Season: Blooms from May to June.
→ Benefits / uses: Strengthens the immune system and helps relieve cold symptoms.

Silver Thistle Bavarian and Salzburg Alps

Hiking in the German Alps

The stunning hiking regions of the Alpine foothills and Bavarian Alps in southern Germany offer more than just a variety of diverse trails and guided tours—they provide a truly special opportunity to experience the pure joy and many benefits of hiking.

Two hikers in front of a breathtaking mountain panorama

Around Zugspitze with Charm

7 Days

21 ratings

Hikers in front of Hagener Hütte in the Gasteinertal

From Lake Königssee to Lake Wörthersee

10 Days

6 ratings

Hikers with a view of Hagener Hütte in the Gastein Valley

From Lake Königssee to Lake Millstättersee

8 Days

4 ratings

Hiking in the Italian Alps

Begin your day early, high above the charming towns of northern Italy, as you wander across dew-kissed alpine meadows and gaze over the peaceful, still-sleeping landscape below. Marvel at the graceful movements of the Alps’ fascinating wildlife in their natural surroundings, and immerse yourself in the profound, almost palpable tranquility that fills this breathtaking region.

Dolomite high-altitude paths

7 Days

10 ratings

Mountain panorama on the Haideralm with a wooden signpost stuck in a cairn

Panorama Hiking in the Val Venosta Valley

8 Days

5 ratings

Hiking break with a view of the sea in Friuli

Friuli - From the Julian Alps to the Sea

8 Days

2 ratings

Fishing hut on Lake Braies with the mountains in the background

🍁 Autumn: Harvest season and storing up

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)
→ Habitat: Found at higher elevations in acidic, peaty soils; common in forests and bogs.
→ Season: Mid-July to September.
→ Benefits / uses: Rich in antioxidants; supports the immune system.

Engelwurz (Angelica archangelica)
→ Habitat: Moist, swampy areas up to 1,800 meters elevation.
→ Season: Roots harvested in spring and fall; leaves and stems before flowering; seeds in September/October.
→ Benefits / uses: Supports digestion, relieves coughs, soothes nerve inflammation, aids rheumatism, and strengthens the immune system.

Rose Hips (Rosa canina)
→ Habitat: Found throughout the Alps in various wild rose species, especially the Alpine wild rose. Commonly grows up to about 2,000 meters, often near the tree line.
→ Season: September to November. Best harvested in autumn when the hips are a deep red and still firm.
→ Benefits / uses: Very rich in vitamin C and offer numerous benefits in various forms, including anti-inflammatory effects and immune system support.

Blueberries on the E5 Landeck Pitztal Imsterberg

Mushrooms
→ Habitat: Grow mainly on poor soils, especially in coniferous forests and beneath trees like spruce, pine, and beech.
→ Season: June to October; mushroom species vary by location and altitude.
→ Benefits / uses: Edible mushrooms are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that boost the immune system and help reduce inflammation. They are valued in cooking, medicine, and natural remedies.

Popular Mushrooms in the Alps of Austria and Bavaria:
Porcini, Russulas, Chanterelles, Birch Bolete, Red-capped Scaber Stalk, Caesar’s Mushroom, Hen of the Woods, Bay Bolete, Parasol Mushroom, Giant Puffball, Common Earthball, Black Trumpet, and more.

Caution:
To correctly identify edible and non-toxic mushrooms, make sure to inform yourself thoroughly beforehand!

Mushrooms Bichlach Kitzbühel circular hiking trail

Common Juniper (Juniperus communis) or
Alpine Juniper (Juniperus communis var. saxatilis)

→ Habitat: Depending on the variety, found at higher elevations and above the tree line.
→ Season: From September, when the berries turn bluish black. Many prefer to gather them after the first frost, as this enhances their flavor. Alpine juniper flowers from May to June.
→ Benefits / uses: The berries are especially valued for their diverse effects and are used both in traditional medicine and cooking. They have diuretic, digestive, anti-inflammatory, and circulation-stimulating properties. In the kitchen, they serve as a spice for various dishes, particularly meat and game.

Late Yarrow, also known as Musk Yarrow (Achillea moschata)

→ Habitat: Grows in calcium-poor, clay-rich rocky soils at elevations between 1,500 and 3,400 meters.
→ Season: June to September; at higher altitudes, until August or September.
→ Benefits / uses: Known for its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties. It also helps relieve cramps and supports digestive and menstrual health.

Flower meadow with rest area on the E5 in the Oetztal valley

An Alpine Crossing by Eurohike

When Hannibal first had the audacious idea to surprise Rome by crossing the Alps with elephants, hardly anyone believed such a feat was even possible. But when his bold strategy proved successful, it sparked widespread curiosity: could such a crossing ever be made even remotely manageable? Since then, roads and tunnels have been carved through this mighty mountain range that spans the heart of Europe. Brave adventurers and fearless explorers have made their way over high passes and rugged peaks—often without clear paths—on exhausting, days-long journeys. Yet until now, no one had created a truly organized hiking tour across the towering spine of the Alps.

4 unique adventures, each an 8-day journey, seamlessly linked and masterfully curated in true Eurohike fashion—with short, effortless transfers along the way—transform the legendary Alpine crossing into an experience that’s as thrilling as it is achievable. Whether you choose to conquer the route in one epic four-week stretch or uncover its wonders piece by piece, year after year, the Alps are yours to explore—step by step, summit by summit.

❄️ Winter: Time for rest and preserving supplies

In the mountains, snow often covers the landscape, and most herbs slip into their winter slumber. Yet evergreen plants—such as rosemary (also cultivated), thyme, and spruce needles—can still be used to create teas, balms, or essential oils. Dried herbs like lady’s mantle or plantain are perfect for infusions, spice blends, or soothing salves. If you're hiking in the Alps throughout the year, take the opportunity to build a rich and varied supply of herbs for the winter months. Depending on your interests, they can be used both in the kitchen and in natural remedies.

Inspiration for an Alpine herb garden bed

Alpine herbs offer a rich source of inspiration, weaving together ancient healing traditions, the rugged beauty of mountain nature, and a tapestry of fragrant, vibrant flavors. Thriving in high-altitude environments, these hardy plants have developed potent active compounds and deep, intense aromas shaped by the alpine climate. They bring exciting flavors to the kitchen and hold cherished places in natural remedies and skincare. While hiking through the Alps, you’ll encounter an abundance of wild herbs, delicate alpine flowers, mushrooms, and other natural treasures just waiting to enrich your senses—and your garden.

To craft a garden bed with true Alpine character, blend plants like wild thyme, sage, savory, hyssop, edelweiss (for ornamental charm), lady’s mantle, and lavender, which flourishes even in dry, sunny spots. Together, they create a resilient, aromatic oasis reminiscent of the mountains themselves.

Alpine meadow hiking in Switzerland, France, or Slovenia

Hiking in the Alpine region offers mountain lovers the perfect outdoor adventure. Whether you seek peace and a slower pace or the thrill of freedom, a trek through the Alps delivers it all. Discover majestic glaciers and alpine adventures in Switzerland, soak in breathtaking views of Mont Blanc in France, or dive into unforgettable active experiences in Slovenia’s Julian Alps.