We are primarily accessible on foot or by mountain bike/e-bike. Here are the three most popular hiking routes:

1. From Ums (Direttissima): The shortest but steepest route (Trail No. 3). Walking time: approx. 1 h.

2. From Ums (Forest Road): Via Trail No. 8. Longer, but a gentler incline. Walking time: approx. 1 h 30 min.

3. From Völser Weiher: Via the Tuffalm (Trails No. 1 and 8B). A very popular family loop. Walking time: approx. 1 h 30 min (ascent only).

Detailed bike/hiking info can be found on our arrival page.

No. Hofer Alpl is located within a Nature Park; private vehicle access is strictly prohibited. Your car must stay in the valley (we recommend the hikers' car park in Ums).

Open Google Maps for the Ums car park.

Yes, we offer our own mountain taxi, primarily for overnight guests.

Times: Departs from the Ums car park at 10:30, 15:00, and 17:00 – by appointment only, booking required.

Costs: €7 per person/trip for overnight guests. Free for stays of 3+ nights (during fixed times).

Private trips: Outside fixed times, a flat rate of €35 applies. Day guests always pay the €35 flat rate.

Reservations / accessibility questions: +39 349 400 85 60.

Please note the following distinctions:

The Trail: Trail No. 3 is too steep/rugged. The forest road (Trail No. 8) is accessible with a sturdy pram. Tip: Most families prefer a child carrier/backpack.

The Shuttle: We can usually transport a folded pram. Space is limited, so please confirm this when booking your shuttle!

Dining out: We serve traditional South Tyrolean specialities. In summer, enjoy your meal on our panoramic sun terrace.

Celebrations: Our lodge can be booked for private events (birthdays, family gatherings). Please send us an inquiry.

More culinary details here.

At lunch, we focus on South Tyrolean classics. In the evening, host and chef Lukas combines tradition with creative fine dining – grounded yet innovative.

An example:

• Grilled Radicchio Trevigiano with pesto, ricotta, and walnuts (innovative dish, inspired by Italian cuisine)

Our menu changes daily, ensuring there are always new dishes to discover.

Hofer Alpl places great importance on high-quality, sophisticated cuisine, which is why it is frequently referred to as a Culinary Alpine Hut.

Hofer Alpl is widely known as a "Culinary Alpine Hut," serving dishes based on traditional recipes alongside modern and innovative delicacies.

Product Quality & Provenance: We place great importance on regional products – following the motto: "the closer, the better." Many ingredients come from our own hunting, directly from the surrounding forests, or from our herb garden right here at the lodge. We also source from local suppliers, primarily nearby farms. For items we purchase, we prioritize the renowned and proven "Völs Products" seal, such as bread from the Tratter Bakery, dairy from Mila, organic products from the Partschillerhof farm, and organic herbs from the Pflegerhof farm, to name just a few.

A few examples of our signature dishes:

• Alpl Jause: a platter of speck, smoked sausages (Kaminwurzen), local cheese, and horseradish.

• Dumpling Duo: Homemade spinach and cheese dumplings with brown butter and parmesan.

• Venison Goulash: Meat from our own hunt, served with red cabbage and bacon dumplings.

• Kaiserschmarren: A famous shredded pancake dessert with cranberry jam and apple sauce.

Yes, vegetarian cuisine is a high priority for us. We offer a wide variety of meat-free South Tyrolean classics as well as modern dishes – ranging from homemade Schlutzkrapfen (typical stuffed pasta) and various dumpling variations to Mediterranean delicacies.

Lactose-free dishes are also available upon request. Please be sure to discuss this with us when making your reservation!

We are open daily from Easter to early January (Epiphany). No rest days.

Restaurant: 08:00 – 22:00

Hot food: lunch 11:00 – 16:00 | dinner 18:00 – 19:30

Yes, we offer two distinct menus – one for lunch and another for dinner.

For Overnight Guests: In the evening, our staying guests are treated to a three-course set menu. However, if you prefer, you are welcome to choose a dish from our small à la carte dinner menu instead.

For Day Guests: Visitors joining us for the evening are also welcome to enjoy our full three-course menu or simply choose a dish from the à la carte menu. We kindly ask day guests joining us for dinner to make a reservation in advance.

Lunch: Only for groups of 8 or more.

Dinner: Strongly recommended for day guests.

Contact: +39 349 400 85 60 or info@hoferalpl.it

Hofer Alpl offers more comfort than a typical mountain hut. We no longer have dormitories. All rooms have private bathrooms.

Our room categories:

1. Double Rooms: Cozy Alpine style with stone pine and spruce wood.

2. Mountain Lofts: Family/multi-bed rooms for 2–4 people (double bed and sofa bed).

3. Single rooms: We offer single rooms. Single occupancy also possible in double rooms (upon availability and request).

No, a sleeping bag liner is not necessary. We no longer have dormitory-style accommodations. As Hofer Alpl is run as a mountain inn/alpine hotel and offers private rooms only, all beds are fully made with fresh linens. Towels are also provided for you. Click here for our checklist to make sure your luggage is perfectly prepared for your stay.

Half board = dinner and breakfast: Our rooms are booked with half board included. This consists of a generous breakfast featuring a variety of local and regional products, as well as a multi-course dinner or a choice of dish from our evening menu.

Full board is not offered as a standard package, but is generally possible: guests are welcome to choose individual dishes from our lunch menu (not included in the room price). In the afternoon, we also serve coffee and cake (available for an additional charge).

Here on this page, you will find a complete and up-to-date packing checklist for your multi-day stay in the mountains.

Yes, half board can be booked even for stays of just a single night.

Free cancellation up to 3 months before arrival. More information here on this page. We strongly recommend travel cancellation insurance.

Cash is preferred. Internet connections for card terminals can be unreliable in the mountains. Please bring sufficient cash for smaller amounts.

Please use our inquiry form here to get more information.

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available for free.

Please note: It is suitable for emails and messaging but not for HD streaming.

Good to know: We are a Digital Detox destination – our rooms do not have TVs.

Yes! We are dog-friendly. Please register your dog in advance (specific rooms only).

Fee: € 30 per night (food not included).

Online Booking: Direct booking via the official website is not currently available. However, we would be delighted to send you a personalized offer. Simply send us your booking inquiry using the form on this page.

Check-in: From 14:00

Check-out: By 10:00

Sanitary Facilities: All rooms feature a private bathroom with running hot water and an ensuite shower. Just like the bedrooms, all bathrooms are modern and attractively furnished. There are no shared corridor showers, and we no longer offer dormitory-style (Matratzenlager) accommodation.

Find out what our visitors have to say by checking our Google reviews.

Go to Google Reviews.

Hofer Alpl is situated at a strategically favorable point directly below the Schlern Massif.

Several important hiking trails pass right by the house, leading to the Schlern summit, the Sesselschwaige, the Hammerwand, the Tschafon, and the Völser Weiher lake.

Detailed descriptions of these hikes and many other options can be found here on this page.

Well-known trails in the area:

• The Hans and Paula Steger Trail as well as the Puflatsch Circular Trail are located on the high plateau of the Seiser Alm (Kompatsch). Please note that Hofer Alpl is not located on the Seiser Alm, but on the opposite side of the Schlern. To get there, you must first descend to the village of Ums, drive or take the bus to Seis, and then take the gondola up to the Seiser Alm. This is a long journey and requires a significant amount of time.

Winter sports:

• Direct access to ski resorts such as the Sellaronda, the Plose, or the Seiser Alm-Gröden ski area is not possible from Hofer Alpl, as we are not located within a ski resort. Instead, our guests experience pure nature and tranquility during the winter months. However, winter hiking and ski touring are possible directly from the lodge. You can also enjoy ice skating on the frozen Völser Weiher lake. Find more info about winter here.

Here are the most important distances and walking times:

• To the nearest hut (Tuffalm): approx. 30 to 45 minutes on a relatively flat forest trail.

• To Völser Weiher lake: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes.

• To the Schlernhaus (Schlern Mountain Hut): approx. 4 hours via the Sesselschwaige.

• To the Seiser Alm: Please note that we are not located on the Seiser Alm. Reaching it requires significant time and effort: you must descend to the village of Ums, take a car or bus to Seis, and then use the gondola lift to reach the plateau.

Very!

Family rooms: Our Mountain Lofts serve as the ideal accommodation for families with children looking to enjoy a holiday surrounded by mountains and nature.

Fun & games: We have a playground equipped with a slide, swings, and climbing ropes. Additionally, the adjacent forest and large meadow offer plenty of space for the little ones to run wild. In winter, children can build snowmen right outside the door or go sledding on their bobsleds.

Animals: We keep cows and pigs in the barn (these are not visible to guests). However, the goat and rabbit enclosure is located directly along the path. Our animals love to be petted and fed with fresh grass!

Hiking: There are several child-friendly hikes starting directly from Hofer Alpl. More info here.

Please note: The following applies only during sufficient snow cover.

Sledding / tobogganing: The forest road (Trail No. 8, approx. 4.3 km long) from Hofer Alpl down to Ums is perfect for sledding. Sleds can be rented directly from us for a small fee. Advance reservation is only necessary for large groups. After your run, simply leave the sleds at the agreed-upon drop-off point, and we will collect them.

Winter & snowshoe hiking: The paths from Ums or Völser Weiher are usually well-trodden. With enough snow, there are plenty of opportunities for cross-country snowshoe tours.

Ski touring: Hofer Alpl is a wonderful stop for ski tourers ascending toward the Schlern plateau.

Safety first: Always check the latest avalanche report here before heading out. Please only venture out in safe conditions to avoid endangering yourself or others!!

We are open daily from Maundy Thursday through to Epiphany (January 6th). We have no weekly closing day.

Spring: Opening annually on Maundy Thursday. Thanks to our sunny location, the paths are often already clear of snow.

Autumn: One of the most beautiful times for "Törggelen" (traditional chestnut/wine tasting) and autumn hikes. Our kitchen honors this South Tyrolean tradition. More info here.

Winter: We are open throughout December, including Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We have created special offers for these periods. You can view them here.

Yes, we offer a laundry service for overnight guests. We also provide a dedicated room where you can dry wet hiking gear or boots. This service is available upon request for an additional fee.

Yes, there is. It is located directly at the mountain lodge. You are welcome to recharge your battery while taking a break. For our overnight guests, we provide a lockable room where you can safely store your bicycle overnight.