Frondell Alm

Großfrondellalm pasture is a small, remote communal pasture of the Grafendorf neighbourhood, located high above the mountaineering village of Mauthen near the Italian border. The production of high-quality cheeses such as Gailtaler Almkäse and “Schotten” cheese as well as butter has a long tradition on the pasture. Cows are kept here during the summer months, grazing on the steep slopes together with a few goats. The kettle-shaped area also contains an ice tongue that usually remains intact throughout the summer. Großfrondell is well-known among hunters, due to its abundant wildlife stock of chamois, grouse and red deer. No matter what brings you here - you will be served a sustaining platter of cheese, speck and homemade sausages. The stone hut already functioned as a supply base for soldiers at the front during WWI. The path leading up to the hut with its 103 serpentine bends was constructed over just 13 days in 1915. Today, hikers may take the historic trail up to Köderhöhe, where a summit cross was constructed not long ago. There is also the option of "shadowing" the dairy workers as they go about their tasks. The pasture is sometimes also referred to as the "Grafendorfer Alm", due to the fact that the members of the farming community come from Grafendorf.