Obere Seebachalm, Mountain pasture in Sankt Jakob in Defereggen, Austria.
Obere Seebachalm is a mountain pasture situated at roughly 1880 meters, surrounded by steep peaks on most sides. The terrain contains open meadows, stone buildings, and structures built to support cattle herding and dairy production.
This pasture settlement developed as part of a network of alpine communities that expanded over centuries in the region. The area grew under influence from other established alpine farmsteads, with some nearby settlements documented back to the early 1200s.
The summer grazing season brings herders and dairy workers to this pasture, where they follow routines unchanged for centuries. You can see how animals shape the landscape and how traditional farming remains woven into the rhythm of the place.
You can reach this pasture by hiking from the valley floor, with summer months providing the most comfortable conditions. The steep terrain demands a reasonable level of fitness, and sturdy footwear is needed to navigate safely.
The landscape here earned a local nickname because of its high elevation and isolated terrain that resembles mountains in a very distant place. Visitors often miss the restored dry stone walls that crisscross the meadows, built and maintained entirely by hand without mortar.
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