Hohe Asten Farm: Tradition and survival at 1108 meters!

Hohe Asten Farm: Tradition and survival at 1108 meters!

In the middle of the picturesque landscape of Upper Bavaria, more precisely in the municipality of Flintsbach am Inn, the Hohe Asten farm sits at 1,108 meters above sea level. This makes it one of the highest farms in Germany that is managed all year round. The operators of the farm, Bernhard and Luisa Astl, both only 28 years old, live there together with Bernhard's parents, grandmother and a brother and run a diverse livestock farm with 15 dairy cows, 30 young cattle, sheep, chickens, pigs, two alpacas and a few cats. This lively family community not only runs the farm, but also maintains a tradition that goes back over 1,000 years, dating back to 921, while the first documented mention is in 1512, as Merkur reported.

The Hohe Asten enjoys a very special microclimate, which, despite the altitude, makes it possible to practice agriculture where other farmers can no longer manage. These special climatic conditions make it possible for the Astl family not only to produce milk and meat from their animals, but also to market a variety of other foods such as butter, cheese, sausage and even eggnog. These products are offered in the small but fine farm shop, while Christa Astl always harvests fresh chard, which is processed into tasty dishes in the farm's own kitchen.

A connection to nature

To reach the farm's remote location, the Astls use a UAZ four-wheel drive bus, as the access is usually covered in snow in winter. A versatile “mule” vehicle from Reform is used for agricultural work. This pragmatic connection to nature and the challenges of the region shows that the Hohe Asten farm is not only an agricultural business, but also an example of the ability to adapt to climatic conditions.
The farm itself is not easy to reach: to get there, hikers have to take a 1½-hour route, either from Flintsbach or from the beautiful Bichlersee in Niederaudorf.

It is precisely the isolation of the farm that makes it a popular excursion destination. The Berggasthof Hohe Asten is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., but is closed on Thursday and Friday. Many hikers take the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful views of the Inn Valley and the impressive Bavarian and Tyrolean mountains while relaxing in the inn. In winter the area turns into a popular toboggan run, although there are warnings about the dangers when the snow becomes icy.

Tradition meets modern agriculture

Agriculture has a long tradition in Bavaria, and therefore here too. Historically, the image of the farmer has been shaped, playing a central role in Bavarian life for centuries. The agricultural economy remained important in the 19th and 20th centuries, as documented in the [Historical Lexicon of Bavaria](https://www.schichtes-lexikon-bayerns.de/Lexikon/Landwirtschaft_(19./20._ Jahrhundert)). Various agricultural reforms in the 19th century changed the conditions for farmers, and mechanization opened up new ways to make agriculture more efficient. The Astl family follows this long-established but always adaptable tradition and proves that modern requirements can be met even on a high-altitude farm.

The region around Flintsbach, which is known for its naturally beautiful hiking trails and breathtaking views, is as diverse and rich in tradition as the Hohe Asten itself. The collaboration between family and nature has been perfectly harmonized here and shows how deeply rooted agriculture is in Bavarian history.