A day at the Kreither Alm in Mutters

25 July 2025

Post originally written in: Deutsch

Hard work and a wonderful feeling

What does it actually mean to be on the mountain pasture all summer? I was allowed to accompany Kathrin and Christian for a day on the mountain pasture and as beautiful as it is up there on the mountain, it is also very demanding to be on your feet all day. And one thing in advance: there is no running power supply on the Kreither Alm. If necessary, they use a generator, but only when it is running. The shower in the morning remains cold.

For guests, however, the visit is consistently pleasant. Idyllic surroundings and delicacies ranging from cakes to dumplings make the Kreither Alm one of my favorite excursion destinations.

Half a year high up

Kathrin and Christian have been renting the Kreither Alm since 2017 and every summer, from May, they head up to 1,500 meters for almost six months. Until mid-October, locals and guests can enjoy homemade grey cheese, various dumplings, chicken and homemade cakes. The cakes and desserts at the Kreither Alm are particularly well-known, as Kathrin has invested a lot of time and patience in perfecting the recipes and improving them down to the last detail.

A little insider tip first: the chocolate and cherry cake with whipped cream. I describe this cake as the absolute highlight on the menu. However, you have to be early for this delicacy, as my insider tip seems to have already reached a lot of people. And by the way, if you try to ask for the recipe, you will be unsuccessful. Kathrin doesn't give away any of her recipes. Maybe that's why so many guests keep coming back to the Kreither Alm. Who knows, maybe one day she'll write a cookbook and tell us all her secret recipes...

Here we go!

We start every day at 7:30 am. The kitchen, including the wood-fired stove, is brought up to operating temperature by Christian every day and the first dishes are prepared. Potatoes are peeled and cooked for the salad, carrots are grated, lettuce is washed and vegetables are chopped. Depending on the season, various vegetables and fruit are washed and chopped. In early summer, for example, there are radishes in the salad, and later rhubarb or apricots for the cake.

In the meantime, Kathrin prepares the terrace and the dining room. In cooler temperatures, they need to be heated. When the sun is shining, it is very pleasant outside even in hot temperatures and the terrace invites you to linger.

The first hungry guests arrive

The first guests start to arrive at around 11:00 a.m. and the perfectly coordinated team of Kathrin and Christian are delighted to receive the first orders. Guests can choose from a total of 25 different dishes and snacks. The most popular dish: cheese dumplings with salad or soup, accompanied by homemade elderberry juice with soda as a refreshing drink and a coffee and cake for dessert. Kathrin and Christian also make various other dishes fresh every day: Kasspazln, schnitzel, Tyrolean cordon bleu, gröstl, roast pork, chicken and knuckle of pork .

Gluten-free dishes and cakes are also on the daily menu - Kathrin makes the pot cake gluten-free and is an absolute treat for the palate. Guests can enjoy all this in the sun with a breathtaking view of the Nordkette mountain range and across Innsbruck to the Tyrolean lowlands.

I don't notice that time flies until 3 p.m., when it quietens down for the first time and the team has time for a little chat between taking orders, preparing plates, serving, settling accounts and washing up. It's clear: you have a lot to do and you totally forget what time it is. But it's fun to greet the guests, serve delicious food and make the visitors happy. In between, there's also time for a quick chat with one or two guests.

The family helps out

On busy days and during the vacation season, Kathrin and Christian get help from their children, parents, friends and acquaintances. On these days, the team increases to up to six fully occupied employees. During the summer months, the Kreither Alm is also a popular internship location for school pupils.

Round off the day

But the day is far from over. Because tomorrow the whole thing has to start all over again. The kitchen and dining room have to be cleaned, plates washed and dishes polished and prepared. The dining room is also cleaned, toilets are cleaned and food is prepared for the next day. On some days, Kathrin bakes up to three cakes in one evening after work. This is by no means a 9 to 5 job.

The team comes together again around 5 p.m. and rounds off the day with a beer, glass of wine or dinner together. This is important to review the day and plan the next one.

Show me the location on the map

Carina Profunser

Sports enthusiast, professional curd cheese strudel tester, and 100% made in Austria. As a „true Tyrolean,“ she wants to share her personal highlights and insights from and around Innsbruck.