Alpe Kanis, alpine pasture below the Kanisfluh (mountain) in the municipality Mellau, Vorarlberg, Austria
Alpe Kanis is a mountain pasture near Mellau situated at about 1,500 meters (4,900 feet) elevation below the Kanisfluh peak, characterized by green meadows and simple wooden and stone structures. The property spans roughly 110 hectares of grazing land and hosts approximately 50 cattle along with calves, pigs, horses, and goats during the summer months.
Alpe Kanis has been used as a mountain pasture for over 100 years, with its buildings dating back to this early period of alpine farming. Historical photographs from the early 20th century document the traditional way of life and show how families shaped this landscape across multiple generations.
Alpe Kanis takes its name from the Kanisfluh mountain above and remains central to local identity in Mellau. The pasture continues to serve the community as a working farm where traditional cheese production and animal husbandry practices are maintained by families who have worked the land for generations.
A walking trail from Mellau reaches the alpe in about 20 minutes, with longer routes connecting multiple mountain farms available for more extended hikes. Visitors should bring weather-appropriate clothing with warm layers, as mountain weather can change quickly and conditions are often cooler than in the valley below.
During winter, the trail to the alpe becomes a popular route for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, with the landscape taking on a completely different character. This seasonal transformation offers visitors entirely different natural experiences depending on when they visit.
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