Mountain Refuge and Year-Round Trail Offer Fresh Ways to Experience the Alps

Two new Alpine experiences are inviting travellers to look beyond the traditional resort stay. A historic border crossing is becoming a guarded mountain refuge in the French Alps, and in the Austrian Tirol a village walk has become the country’s first certified year-round hiking trail. Both promise a more authentic and immersive way to enjoy the mountains.

A refuge at the crossroads of three destinations

Opening in October 2026, the new Cabane du Col de Cou will offer a year-round mountain refuge on the Franco-Swiss border, between Morzine, Samoëns and Champéry. The Col de Cou crossing has been used for centuries, and the former customs post is now being transformed into a simple, authentic guarded refuge.

The municipalities of Champéry, Morzine and Samoëns launched the project in 2022, with construction beginning in spring 2023. The refuge will welcome its first guests ahead of the 2026/27 winter season. Its off-the-beaten-track position at the crossroads of three major Alpine destinations offers an appealing alternative to traditional resort accommodation. That should suit skiers and winter travellers who want a more immersive mountain experience. More information is available at en.morzine-avoriaz.com.

Austria’s first certified year-round hiking trail

In Alpbachtal, the Mittlerer Höhenweg (Middle High Trail Alpbach) is around nine kilometres long. It is Austria’s first certified year-round hiking trail, and the Austrian Hiking Quality Seal confirms it is suitable for all four seasons.

The three-hour circular hike begins in Alpbach village centre and follows the sunny side of the valley towards Inneralpbach. It combines open winter meadows with quiet forest passages. Along the way, walkers pass traditional farmhouses, small hamlets, the historic Brechelstube flax-breaking workshop and an old grain mill. They are rewarded with panoramic views of the mountain village and surrounding peaks.

With around 301 metres of elevation gain, the trail is varied yet leisurely. It offers a relaxed way to explore Alpbach’s landscape and agricultural heritage whatever the season.

A seven-night stay at Gasthaus Jakober, arriving 9 January 2027, is priced from £304 per person. The price is based on two sharing a room with breakfast included, with flights and transfers extra. Further details are at www.tyrol.com.

Closing thoughts

Whether it’s a night in a restored border refuge or a gentle circuit past farmhouses and mills, both destinations show that the Alps have plenty to offer beyond the main resort hubs. For travellers planning their next mountain break, they are two good reasons to explore somewhere new, and the newly certified trail can be enjoyed in any season.