South Tyrol has 1739 alpine pastures, onto which 84,967 head of livestock are driven each summer. About 14% of South Tyrol's land area is pure pasture, farmed either directly by the farmers or by the alpine grazing associations. The places to stop for a bite are countless, and picking 10 fine huts between the Vinschgau and the Pustertal was anything but easy.
The Lyfi Alm in the upper Martell Valley
At the Lyfi Alm, at the head of the Martell Valley, you get the best alpine specialities, from dumplings to Kaiserschmarrn to apple strudel.
Summer: open from June to the end of October (no closing days in August). Monday is the rest day
The Lyfi Alm sits at 2,165 m in an idyllic spot in Stelvio National Park, high above the upper Martell Valley. Things are homely and warm here, rustic and snug. You reach the hut easily along forest road no. 8, and just as easily along the many panoramic trails. One of the finest high-level walks in the upper Martell Valley runs from the Lyfi Alm past the Peder-Stier Alm and the Enzian Hut to the Zufall Hut and, passing a small lake, on to the Martell Hut. Snowshoe walkers rave about the route Enzian Alm – Peder-Stier Alm – Lyfi Alm. When there is snow, the forest road up to the hut has become a popular toboggan run.
You can also stay the night, in 18 beds in small, cosy rooms.
HUTS NEARBY
The nearest huts are the Zufall Hut and the Martell Hut.
Penaud Alm in the Schnalstal
The highest dairy hut sits in the middle of the magnificent mountain scenery of the Schnalstal.
Summer: open from June to October.
The Penaud Alm is the highest dairy hut in South Tyrol, and with its 1200 hectares of pasture it is also one of the largest in Europe. It lies in the Penaud Valley, a rustic and picturesque side valley of the Schnalstal, surrounded by the 3,000ers of the southern Ötztal Alps.
From the car park in Karthaus it takes 2:30 hours on foot to reach the hut. Slightly longer is the way up over the Niederjöchl from St. Martin im Kofel. A fine walk, for which you should allow 4 hours.
If that is still not high enough, you can go on to climb the well-known Vermoi (2,923 m) or the neighbouring three-thousanders Zerminger and Wiegenspitze (both 3,109 m) and take a look at the Penaud lake landscape.
At 2,323 m above sea level the young team spoils you with tasty platters of cheese and meat from the hut's own farm, among them the much sought-after „Dochbrett“. Alongside the Tyrolean classics, the dishes made with fresh dairy products from the hut's own dairy are what the place is known for. The homemade desserts and cakes round off the culinary summit march.
Tours nearby:
From Karthaus over the Kloster Alm, the Trumsspitze and the Penaud Alm. From St. Martin im Kofel over the Vermoispitze, or across the Niederjöchl into the Penaud Valley
From Unser Frau in Schnals to the Lafetz Alm, along the Penaud high trail at 2,763 m (a head for heights is required)
From the Penaud Alm to the Grubenspitze or Vermoispitze, or to the Wiegenspitze or the Penaud lakes
Archaeological trail A5 to the Penaud Alm
The hut has 19 beds in rooms.
Oberkaser Alm – „Ober Olb“ at the Spronser Lakes
The rustic refuge in the heart of the Texelgruppe Nature Park.
Summer: open from the beginning of June to the end of October. No rest day. Closed in winter
The Oberkaser Hut stands on the Kasersee, one of the best-known Spronser lakes, above Dorf Tirol in the heart of the Texelgruppe. The Oberkaser Alm, or „Ober Olb“, is a stage on the „Tyrolean High Trail“ and a rewarding destination on mountain and hut walks in the Texelgruppe.
Food lovers in particular feel at home at the Oberkaser Alm. What comes out of the kitchen are treats such as homemade alpine butter, smoked speck, Kaminwurzen, roast lamb, and speck and cheese dumplings.
On the sun terrace you can enjoy the wonderful view over the pasture landscape and a good glass of wine. In the morning guests are served a fine hut breakfast.
But above all, a trip to the lakes of the Spronser plateau is worth it. The Spronser lakes start about half an hour from the refuge. The lakes (Grünsee, Langsee, large and small Milchsee, Kaser Lacke, Pfitscher Lacke, Mückenlacke, Schwarzsee, Schiefersee, Kesselsee and so on) lie at different heights.
The ten crystal-clear lakes count as the finest group of mountain lakes in South Tyrol. Because of their altitude there is still snow on parts of the shores in summer.
Huts and tours nearby:
The nearest huts are the Bocker Hut and the Hochganghaus
Summit climbs from the Oberkaser Alm: from here you can climb the local peak Tschigat (2,998 m), the Rötelspitze (2,625 m) or the Schwarzkopf (2,804 m).
There are 15 beds in rooms and 30 places in the dormitory.
Timmels Alm
The family-friendly hut above the tree line in the Passeiertal.
Opening times: mid-June – end of September – no rest day
The Timmels Alm lies in a wide hollow in the middle of a meadow above the tree line. Easy to reach and therefore much visited, it sits in a very unspoilt area. On the open terrace a great view towards the Granatkogel awaits you. The still young Passer river rushes past next to the hut, and there is always a lot of livestock grazing around it. That makes more sense once you know that at 1,800 hectares the Timmels Alm is the largest alpine pasture in the Passeier. It is one of only two court pastures in the Passeier, the other being Lazins, a special status unique in South Tyrol. Every farmer in the valley has the right to drive all of his livestock, wintered on his own fodder, up onto these pastures.
Route description: from Moos in Passeier along the Timmelsjoch road. From the Schönau Alm (Timmels bridge – Egghof-Kaser at 1781 m), with the Gasthaus Hochfirst nearby on the road, follow waymark no. 30 throughout. At first along the farm track, climbing gently beside the Timmels stream, up to the hut of the Timmels Alm (1,979 m; a good 0:30 hrs). Descent along the ascent route.
Tours nearby
Trail no. 30 leads to the Schwarzsee (2,517 m, approx. 1½ hours), well worth seeing and set in a unique mountain scene. Trail no. 30 continues to the Müller Hut (3,150 m) and the Becherhaus (3,197 m), while just above the lake trail no. 33 branches off towards the Siegerland Hut. For keen and fit walkers there is also trail no. 29, which runs from the Schwarzsee over the Karlscharte (2,663 m) to the refuge at the Schneeberg. From there you can follow trail no. 29 back to the Timmels bridge (walking time from the Schwarzsee approx. 5 hours).
Hochalm
The comfortable refuge in a wonderful panoramic setting with excellent food.
Open: open from mid-June to mid-October
The Hochalm sits in a prime spot on a rise with wide views. This is not an alpine pasture hut in the usual sense but a comfortable refuge. From the sun terrace there is a magnificent all-round view reaching from the Sarntal Alps across the Texelgruppe to the Ötztal Alps.
Ascent: from the new „Hocheggen“ car park (1,700 m) to the hut in 1:30 hours.
Walking options: if you want a round trip, you can walk back down to Stuls on the Stuls forest trail (fairly steep, trail no. 15; walking time approx. 2 hours). For summit hunters there is the climb up the Hochwart (2,610 m). First follow trail no. 14, then turn left (watch the signs!) and follow trail no. 26 to the top (walking time about 1½ hours). If you want to climb the Hohe Kreuzspitze (2,747 m), follow trail no. 14, which in its last section runs steeply up to the summit cross (walking time about 2½ hours from the Hochalm).
The Hochalm has 40 beds and is a starting point for popular mountain tours, for example to the Übelsee, the Hochwart, the Hohe and Kleine Kreuzspitze or the Schneeberg mining museum.
Getrum Alm in the Sarntal
The cosy mountain hut in the Getrum Valley, on the slopes of the Plankenhorn in the Sarntal.
Summer: open from June to October. Winter: open from December to the beginning of April.
The Getrum Alm (2,094 m) behind Reinswald in the Sarntal Alps is worked in both summer and winter and stands on the southern slopes of the Plankenhorn, in the Getrum Valley of the same name. It is a popular destination for the whole family, because the walk up can be managed easily with the help of the gondola that runs from Reinswald up to the Pichlberg, and then along the „Urlesteig“.
From the car park at the valley station of the gondola in Reinswald the hut is an hour and a half away, and from the top station (Pichlberg) you reach the Getrum Alm along an easy trail (1 hr walking time).
The excellently run hut serves typical South Tyrolean food in its handsome parlours or on the comfortable terrace. Do not miss landlady Anni's apple strudel. Fresh bread is baked at the Getrum Alm every day, and alongside the South Tyrolean specialities the kitchen is known for its good soured beef.
In summer the Getrum Alm can be reached on foot or by mountain bike along various trails and forest roads.
Summit tours and huts nearby:
The hut sits on the walking routes to the Latzfonser Kreuz, the Kassianspitze, the Getrumsee and the Getrumspitze and is ideal for a stop and a rest.
The hut has 8 beds in rooms and 11 places in the dormitory.
Gostner Schwaige on the Seiser Alm
In the middle of the Seiser Alm with its wide flower meadows you meet open-mindedness and tradition rooted in the land.
Summer: open from June to October. Winter: open from December to the beginning of April.
In Kompatsch on the Seiser Alm stands the rustic, inviting and family-friendly Gostner Schwaige (1,930 m). It is known beyond the borders of South Tyrol for its culinary flights and its excellent traditional mountain food. The Gostner Schwaige sits on the highest plateau in Europe. From its sun terrace guests have a wonderful view of the Schlern and the Plattkofel.
The Gostner Schwaige is run by Franz Mulser. Before taking it on, the Gault-Millau toque-awarded chef learned his craft in a four-toque restaurant. Mulser takes haute cuisine literally and today spoils his guests with treats such as hay soup with truffle and venison on Schlutzer filled with dried pears.
The food is good, and something special is the hay flower soup served in a loaf of bread, which you do not get everywhere: that alone makes a visit worthwhile.
Mulser cooks with ingredients from local producers, such as the meat from his parents' farm. His wife Petra grows vegetables and herbs in the garden in front of the hut, among them bistort, leek, nasturtium, cornflowers and rose petals. The Mulsers live the philosophy of „fresh and natural“ down to the last detail.
Franz Mulser puts it in a nutshell: „It is all here already! We only have to open our eyes and see what gifts nature is giving us. There is a lot to see, to feel, to taste. Here you come very close to the South Tyrolean soul.“
The Gostner Schwaige sits on the highest plateau in Europe. From its sun terrace guests have a wonderful view of the Schlern and the Plattkofel.
Tours and huts nearby
The Seiser Alm area has a total of 450 km of trails for every taste. Around the Gostner Schwaige, walkers who like to eat well can reach several huts and pastures, such as the Williamshütte, the Schutzhaus Mahlknecht, the Baita Puflatsch, the Laurinhütte, the Tuene hut, the Arnikahütte and the Almrosen hut. A popular summit destination is Monte Pez on the Schlern.
The hut does not offer overnight accommodation.
Kaserill Alm in the Puez-Geisler Nature Park
The fine place to stop for a bite at the foot of the Zenleserkofel, with a view of the rock scenery of the Geisler peaks
The Kaserill Alm at the head of the Villnöss Valley is a destination full of things to do for the whole family from mid-June well into October. From the hut you can set out on several short or longer walks in the „Puez-Geisler“ Nature Park, in the dream landscape of the Dolomites.
The hut is 45 minutes on foot from the paying car park at the head of the Villnöss Valley in Zans.
At the Kaserill Alm you can treat yourself to the panorama and the sun on the comfortable terrace, or head for the snug parlour. Thomas Mantinger is cook and hut keeper. He takes his guests on a culinary journey on which you get to know South Tyrol even better.
The hut is a fine destination for families with children, with a playground and a small petting zoo. Several cheese specialities are made in the small show dairy.
Huts and summit walks nearby.
Huts and summit walks nearby.
From the Kaserill Alm you can reach the Gampen Alm and the Schlüter Hut. A popular summit destination is the Zenleser Kofel (2,422 m) right by the hut, and the Kleine Peitlerkofel (a walk), or the Peitlerkofel (via ferrata).
The Kaserill Alm is open for you from June to mid-October.
In winter: from 26 December to 10 January, in carnival week, and every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until mid-March
Kreuzwiesen Alm
The homely Kreuzwiesen Alm on the Lüsner Alm serves the tastiest cheese specialities and pleasant South Tyrolean hospitality.
Summer: open from mid-May to the beginning of November. In winter from 26 December to 6 January.
The Kreuzwiesen Alm lies on the Lüsner Alm and is surrounded by the Dolomites, the Stubai Alps and the Sarntal Alps.
In summer mountain bikers, walkers and families with children like to drop in; in winter the Kreuzwiesen Alm is popular with snowshoe walkers, tobogganers and cross-country skiers. The Kreuzwiesen Alm offers a high level of comfort. There are showers, separate sanitary facilities and, of course, electricity.
The hut was built in 1932 and has been renovated and extended again and again since then. Today it offers luxurious rooms, a sauna and a bowling alley. Young farmer Johannes Hinteregger makes his own alpine cheese and is a wine sommelier.
Walks and summit climbs nearby.
From here you can set out on various walks: Astjoch (2,194 m, 45 min); Campil/Jakobsstöckl (2,190 m, 1 hr); Würzjoch (2,003 m, 4.5 hrs).
The hut lies on the Munich – Venice long-distance trail, which is also ridden by mountain bikers.
At the Kreuzwiesen Alm there are 25 beds in rooms and 20 places in the dormitory.
Bergeralm
A stop for a bite at the historic Bergeralm in the Antholz Valley.
At 1600 m above sea level (about 45 minutes from the farm), set idyllically in a small forest clearing, stands the Bergerhof's own alpine hut in Antholz Mittertal. It is easy to reach, and Silvia, the hut keeper, prepares South Tyrolean hut specialities there with a great deal of care on the original wood-fired stove, using quality produce from the area.
The hut is unique in how rustic it is, all the more so because the building itself is over 100 years old.
The hut was renovated in 2011 and has been worked again ever since. You are welcome to stop in and be spoiled with typical South Tyrolean specialities in a snug setting. You cannot stay the night at the hut, but the hereditary farm Bergerhof with its guest beds is not far away.
The Bergerhof is a classic South Tyrolean livestock and dairy farm whose setting and family atmosphere suit both those with an appetite for walking and those looking for peace and quiet.
The Bergeralm is open from mid-May to the beginning of October.
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