Photography: Frits Meyst
Text: Jillian Macdonald

The sound of a trumpet echoes over the lake. The farmers and local villagers begin to celebrate the beginning of spring, preparing to herd the cattle to the upper alms. Everyone in the village, young and old, are decked out in their best finery; traditional dirndls for the women, lederhosen for the men and most important, flower adornments for the cows that will lead the procession up into the mountains. On the border between Austria and Germany, this unique part of Europe is packed with history and adventure, from Hitler's 'Eagles Nest' to some of the best low and high alpine hiking in the Alps.

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