Austrian mountain retreat Eriro is a luxurious, nature-first escape  where meals are cooked over fire and guests can learn to yodel. Olivia Palamountain reports

A new luxury retreat nestled high in the Tyrolean Alps has opened its doors, promising guests an unparalleled connection with nature and Alpine traditions.

Named "eriro", which means 'the entrance of the forest' in Old High German, this exclusive nine-suite hideaway is perched over 5,000 feet above sea level near Ehrwald, Austria, and is primarily accessible by cable car.

Conceived by hoteliers Amelie and Dominik Posch, along with Christina and Martin Spielmann, the retreat's ethos centres on fostering a deep connection with the region's rich mountain culture through personalised experiences influenced by locality, seasonality and simplicity.

Co-owners Dominik and Amelie Posch explains: "Growing up in this region, we have been inspired by Tyrolean culture and want to share this attitude toward life that we stand by. We've meticulously crafted every detail of eriro to foster harmony with nature, from the locally sourced materials used in our sustainable architecture to the traditional practices woven into our signature experiences. We believe in the power of these beginnings and moments of reconnection.”

The property's sustainable design, crafted by timber construction expert Andreas Mader and architect Martin Gruber, uses locally sourced materials such as stone and wood from their own forests, and features a minimalist, nature-inspired aesthetic with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the majestic Alpine views.Eriro offers a range of unusual experiences guided by in-house specialists – think barefoot hikes, wilderness meditation, mountain biking, climbing and even yodelling lessons.The retreat also collaborates with local partners to offer astronomy sessions, pottery classes and music experiences.

The property's commitment to sustainability extends to its culinary offerings. Head chef David Franken leads a zero-waste kitchen philosophy, sourcing ingredients from local farms and foraging in the surrounding forests.Meals are prepared using traditional methods, cooked over real fires to create unique flavours and textures that reflect the seasonality of the mountains.

A spa, located in the basement among rocks and meadows, offers a range of treatments inspired by local medicinal herbs.Guests can unwind in plunge pools with scenic Alpine views or rejuvenate in spruce needle and Finnish saunas crafted from locally-sourced wood.

Treatments are tailored individually following a consultation with Eriro’s head of spa, who takes a holistic approach on prescribing one of a variety of massages inspired by five medicinal herbs; mountain arnica, St. John's wort, common yarrow, ribwort plantain and stinging nettle. Meditation and yoga sessions are also available.