Brunch in the Mountains – Breakfast at the Gufl

There’s a wide and varied range of options for brunch in the Tyrolean mountains. And they’re extremely popular – after all, don’t we all want a cosy start to the day at the weekend?

Sometimes we treat ourselves as a family to the luxury of breakfast away from home. When you’re out and about with children, the most important thing is what’s on offer for the little ones, so they can run about to their heart’s content whilst we parents relax and sip our coffee.

The Haus Gufl on the Tulferberg. The dining room is lavishly laid out with a wide variety of delicacies. From asparagus and strawberry salad to egg dishes and fresh tarte flambée: there really is everything your heart desires. You’ll receive a warm welcome from host Gregor Drewes, and a tour of the house can be arranged on request. There are tables outside the house where you can take your breakfast to enjoy al fresco. The grounds around the Gufl offer plenty of opportunities for children to let off steam: a playground, a climbing wall and a sports pitch, as well as the lovely surrounding woodland, make you lose track of time.

Since 2024, the dining room has been sporting a completely new design: a successful refurbishment, in our opinion!

Even the journey to the Gufl is spectacular in itself, as the view down into the Inn Valley is simply breathtaking. You can drive right up to the Gufl; however, there is also the option of a walk: Either from Tulfes or by taking the Glungezerbahn to the Halsmarter midway station and then following the path down the ski slope to the Gufl. As we wanted to visit the Kugelwald on the Glungezer after breakfast, we drove to the Gufl this time. Otherwise, a hike is definitely highly recommended!

The Gufl is idyllically situated in the heart of the forest – it is well known to many locals and remains a vivid memory from their own childhoods. Originally, the Gufl was run as a youth centre by the parish of Hall; the driving force behind the Gufl Youth Hostel was Josef Lambichler (1883–1956), a curate from Hall. He wanted to create a place where children in need could find respite and receive a hot meal, as severe famine prevailed in many places during and even after the Second World War. In 1936, he had the first huts built on the site where the Gufl stands today. Expropriated by the Nazis in 1938, the Gufl was returned after the war and has since served as a recreation and holiday centre for children and young people. From 1957, it was owned by the Hall parish. In 2002, Gregor Drewes took over as managing director of the Gufl, before eventually purchasing it in 2012.

Gregor still offers school trips and altar server camps, but has expanded his range to include lots of great activities, such as forest education and forest bathing. And, of course, the ‘Brunch on the Mountain’ – as he has christened his breakfast on the Gufl.