The hills are alive with the smells of Michelin-starred cuisine. Throughout the summer, a selection of delectable dishes dreamt up by some of Europe's top chefs are on offer in the Austrian Alps. There's only one catch: you have to climb a mountain or two to taste them.
Now in its seventh year, the Culinary St Jacob's Way trail - which passes through Kappl, Ischgl, Mathon and Galtuer, the four of the villages in the Paznaun valley - is the brainchild of Eckart Witzigmann, a local dubbed "chef of the century" by a prestigious French restaurant guide in the 1990s.
Launched in 2009, the idea was to entice holiday-makers to the Austrian Tyrol by asking Europe's top cooking talent to create a dish from locally sourced ingredients. Food-loving, outdoorsy types get to hike across the rugged landscape, from one sumptuous meal to the next.
Among those participating this year is Matthew Tomkinson, head chef at the Michelin-starred Terrace Restaurant at The Montagu Arms in the New Forest. He and his European counterparts met in the region's ski resort of Ischgl to launch the prestigious event. Alongside him were the talented German Jorg Sackmann, Holland's Laurent Smallegange and Frenchman Marc Veyrat, who has six stars to his name.
Each was tasked with creating a dish crafted from Alpine ingredients. Accompanied by journalists, dignitaries and gastronomes, the four hiked to the Niederelbehutte Lodge in Kappl where they presented their fayre.
Getting there
Stay: Hotel Piz Buin 4-star superior - 7 nights from €665 per person.
Fly: easyJet flies from London Gatwick, Bristol and Liverpool to Innsbruck.
Package: Zenith Holidays.
More: www.paznaun-ischgl.com
Although the chefs are now back in the heat of their respective kitchens, their dishes are the highlight of the summer menu at four Alpine Association lodges along the incredible mountain trail.
Like much of the surrounding region, the village of Ischgl comes alive as an action-packed party zone in winter. But once the snow starts to melt, visitors leave for sunnier climes so it falls to the tourist board to dream up concepts like this in a bid to fill up Ischgl's 11,400 hotel beds.If you get the feeling that they're trying a little too hard to lure Muhammed to the mountain, it's probably because they are. The chefs' meat-heavy offerings will not appeal to the vegetarian or kosher palate but they are probably more of a side dish than the main course when visiting this stunning part of the world.
In truth, the idyllic resort remains a well-kept secret during the summer months. Gone are the big crowds, the après-ski and of course the white stuff, but what remains is truly spectacular.
Just a couple of hours away from Britain lies perhaps one of the world's most beautiful regions. Still capped with a hint of snow at the height of summer, the towering peaks sit amid endless lush green valleys. And best of all are the fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls that gush in every direction.
Sleep has never come as easy to me as it did at the Piz Buin hotel in Ischgl, as my delightful room backed right onto the soundscape of a thundering river. Unlike in winter, when the town can get rather rowdy with spirited skiers, the summer season offers more of a laid-back and relaxed vibe.
But do not, whatever you do, read "laid-back" as a euphemism for dull. Far, far from it.
The strapline for Ischgl, which markets itself as a base for many of the attractions in Galtur, is: "Relax - if you can."
Besides the glorious setting, fancy food and endless walking trails, there's enough to keep the most ardent of adrenaline junkies occupied for days. If hiking feels a little too slow and gentle, consider conquering the mountains on two wheels instead. There are countless cycling routes that can be tackled by electric bike - which are easy to hire - as well as the more traditional version.
Motor bikes are a fun way to get around and this month bikers from around the world will descend on Ischgl for the Harley-Davidson Mountain Roadeo.
If leather and chrome are not your thing, there's also the option of taking part in mountain running, climbing, bouldering and - my personal favourite - white-water rafting.
Activities such as these may not be suitable for young children, but the Tyrol is definitely a fantastic family destination too. Besides Mother Nature's dramatic presence all around, there is much to keep the kids happy here too. There are cable cars galore, outdoor swimming, a suspension bridge and - perhaps best of all - the Sunny Mountain Adventure Park.
A hub of activity for very young skiers in the winter, this wonderful outdoor playground is fun in the summer months too. Burn off excess energy on tyre swings, a tower slide, a zip line or exploring the park's tree houses. For a calmer experience, the kids can hang out in the petting zoo or explore the alpine herb garden and rockery. There's a lake to paddle in and older children can have a go at fishing too. Furthermore, the whole area can be explored for free - though there are charges for the fishing, zipline and trampoline.
And by the time you've finished all that, you'll be so hungry, you'd happily climb a mountain or two to reach your lunch stop.
