A compact wooden cabin clings to the rocks on its lofty perch high above the Zillertal Valley in Austria. A rose bush adorns the facade along with a neat stack of firewood and a row of garden gnomes.

The view across the valley is both expansive and impressive, taking in the steep rock faces of the Zillertal Ridge both far and near. At a fence near the hut, a stocky woman with tousled grey hair and red cheeks is toiling away. She spots me, strides across and shakes my hand. She ushers me into her kitchen and presents me with a generous portion of Apfelstrudel (apple tart) topped with whipped cream. Anna Kirchmair is my new boss.

The prospect of spending an idyllic break among the Alpine flora and fauna in this part of Austria's Ziller Valley is attracting an increasing number of stressed-out city folk. Since 2004, some Tyrolean sheep farms have been offering a scheme for farm volunteers.