Karerhof

The last stretch to our destination leads along a side road through an enchanted forest. Just before we start asking ourselves if we might have got lost and should have stayed on the main road, a view opens up of a mountain valley so beautiful that it would look great on any postcard. Is it the farm over there? Hard to believe, but yes: The Pardeller family’s organic mountain farm is located between tall fir trees and alpine meadows, surrounded by the mighty rock formations of the Rosengarten and Latemar. At 1,450 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, we breathe in the fresh mountain air and remember how wonderfully quiet it can be away from roads and traffic. Apart from the wind, birdsong and cowbells, all we can hear is the sound of silence—and that’s even though Bolzano, with its historic squares, great cultural offerings and fantastic restaurants, is just 20 minutes away. The hotel interiors also exude peace and tranquility. After extensive renovations, the hotel reopened in December 2024. Five newly designed accommodations now welcome guests. They perfectly capture the feeling you get when you step out of the car in this mountain setting—a place where you can take a deep breath, recharge and relax. Three apartments are located in the South Tyrolean farmhouse, and there’s also a cube made of wood, concrete and glass with two further vacation apartments. Natural materials such as local larch wood, stone, linen and sheep’s wool, complimented by muted colors, were used for the straightforward interior design. It’s really beautiful! But still so subtle that nothing overshadows the stars of this place. These are, of course, the majestic mountains. When bathed in sunlight, they put on an impressive show—one we can’t fail to miss thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The minimalist, modern design that creates a tangible connection to the countryside and nature. Wood is the basic element and is tastefully combined with the local stone called porphyry.
• The cozy lounge with fireplace, play corner and small library—a great place to make yourself comfortable or enjoy great conversations
• The spa area with Finnish sauna offers a dream view over the surrounding forests and mountains with a relaxation room providing tea and dried fruit as well as infusion oils made from South Tyrolean mountain pine and Swiss stone pine.
• The warmth of the Pardeller host family: Christine, a farmer and qualified herbalist, and Bernd, who also works as a forester, along with their children Selma and Johann, who are particularly happy to introduce their younger guests to dwarf goats, rabbits and “Blacky” the pony.
• South Tyrol is a region for food-lovers. Whether guests are looking for a down-to-earth inn, Michelin-starred restaurant or mountain hut 2,000 meters above sea level, Christine and Bernd are big foodies and more than happy to pass on their local knowledge and tips.
• If you want to get a real feel for country life, you can go to the stables with Bernd in the evening and experience first-hand what everyday life is like on the farm. There’s also an official farm tour every week where you can sample some of the produce .
• The “snuggle suite” in the hay barn. If you’ve never slept in fragrant hay before, you can make up for it here—in a cozy double bed filled with mountain meadow hay and herbs.
• Enjoying the outdoor area in fine weather. This includes a wooden hut, known as the “Schupfe”, with a campfire area and a small playground with a swing, sandpit, trampoline and play hut. The garden bench right in the middle of the flower bed is also a real favorite spot.
• The secluded location above the village of Welschnofen, combined with its proximity to South Tyrol’s capital Bolzano with its restaurants, cafés, stores and museums, is really good.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The apartments can accommodate two to six people.
• A homemade and lovingly prepared breakfast can be booked. Organic food from the farm, the garden, the forest or from local producers is served by the fireplace or on the terrace—from bacon and sausages from the Karerhof farm and smoothies with wild herbs to organic coffee from the local roastery.
• The fully equipped kitchens each have a stove with ceramic glass hobs, oven and fridge with freezer compartment. Regional cookbooks are available for all those who want to try their hand at South Tyrolean cuisine.
• Bio-Frühstück und Brötchenservice sind nicht im Preis enthalten
• The drinking water comes directly from the Latemar spring and is of a particularly high quality. Guests can also help themselves to wines, beers and spirits from the region at the honesty bar.
• Sustainability is practiced at the Karerhof—from organic farming to wood chip heating, the photovoltaic system and natural building materials to the respectful and appreciative treatment of the farm animals.
• There’s a mini farm store: In the entrance area, there’s a corner with products from the farm or local producers, plus barbecue packages with Karerhof organic pork, forest honey or seasonal fruit and vegetables.
• The natural world and mountains can be explored from right outside the front door, where some of the hiking trails start—one of the most beautiful leading to the Latemar rock labyrinth. If you feel like going for a walk, make yourself a picnic basket and head to the fairytale Lake Carezza just 30 minutes away.
• The village of Nova Levante/Welschnofen with its outdoor pool and cable car to the rocky world of the Catinaccio/Rosengarten is just a ten-minute drive away.
• Free parking and an e-charging station for cars are available. Those traveling by bus and train will be delighted with the Mobilcard, which allows you to use all public transport in South Tyrol free of charge.
• Skiers and snowboarders can explore over 40 kilometers of slopes in the Carezza Dolomites ski area, reachable in 10 minutes with the free ski bus. The Obereggen ski area is just 20 minutes away by car, as is the nearest access point to the world-famous Sellaronda. At the farm, it’s free to rent toboggans and snowshoes and there’s a ski room with ski boot dryer.
• Would you like even more sporting action? The Val d’Ega is absolute heaven for bikers. E-bike batteries can be charged at the Karerhof’s bike storage area. Individual e-bikes or mountain bikes can also be rented for a small fee.

Fotocredit: Hannes Niederkofler