5 Pioneers of Wanderhotels
Much has changed. What remains is the love of hiking.
In 2025, Wanderhotels will celebrate its 30th anniversary. Five hotels that contributed to the founding of Wanderhotels in 1995 are still members of the hotel cooperation today. They are constants in this success story – establishments with history, character, and a clear stance. We present them here.
Since its founding in 1995, the hotel cooperation has stood for authentic hiking vacations in Austria and South Tyrol. With guided tours, detailed maps, hotels in the middle of the hiking trail network, and hosts who share their enthusiasm for the mountains with their guests.
Back then, CDs were the measure of all things, the internet was still uncharted territory, and vacations were planned with road atlases. We now live in a digital world, but the desire for genuine nature, tranquility, and exercise is greater than ever. A hiking vacation in Austria or South Tyrol offers exactly that—and is more relevant than ever before.
From the very beginning, the hiking hotels were more than just a joint marketing umbrella. They offered their members a platform on which they could grow – as hosts, as businesses, as people. The pioneering businesses of the early days have sharpened their profile over the years, developed with new ideas, and filled the niche of hiking vacations with passion and substance.
As early as the 1930s, the Rogl family welcomed hikers and summer visitors to simple hay beds in the barn—at that time a rustic "snack bar" at the foot of the Kalser Tauern. The Second World War put a pause on this beginning, but afterwards, with a lot of energy and cohesion, the foundation for today's Hiking Hotel Taurerwirt was laid. Over the decades, the former hay barn was transformed into a modern 4-star hotel that today impresses with its comfort and warmth. Despite all the structural changes, the philosophy has remained the same: a connection to the mountains, nature, and a passion for hiking continue to form the heart of the hotel, which has been a certified hiking hotel for 30 years. Generations of the Rogl family have preserved these values and created an authentic retreat for guests who want to experience the alpine world in all its depth.
© Florian Scherl
© Wanderhotel Taurerwirt
© Florian Scherl
© Naturhotel Lüsnerhof
© Naturhotel Lüsnerhof
© Hannes Niederkofler
Opening a hotel at the age of 21 takes courage, idealism, and a good dose of tenacity. That's exactly what Franz Hinteregger did in 1982 when he laid the foundation for what is now the Naturhotel Lüsnerhof in the remote Lüsnertal valley. Together with his siblings and parents, he transformed a simple farm into a unique retreat for nature lovers.
Over decades, under the leadership of the Hinteregger family, a nature hotel was created that is architecturally, atmospherically, and philosophically unique. As a founding member of the Hiking Hotels and inventor of Naturellness , the Lüsnerhof has remained true to its principles to this day.
Franz's daughter Elli complements the offering with a wide range of yoga & breathwork courses, ensuring that this place of tranquility and relaxation remains a contemporary retreat—a place where hiking vacations become a source of genuine regeneration.
What began over 125 years ago as an inn for train travelers is now a beautiful hotel for active mountain lovers. In Oberpinzgau, between the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Wildkogel Arena, the Kirchner family has been living the hiking hotel philosophy for generations. At the Wanderhotel Kirchner, walking is more than just a means of transportation: it is an attitude. So it's no wonder that Christian Kirchner was part of the founding group of Wanderhotels in 1995. Today, the next generation is continuing on this path with fresh energy – while remaining true to what has always characterized the hotel: genuine hospitality and authentic hiking vacations in Austria.
© Franz Neumayr
© Wanderhotel Kirchner
© Wanderhotel Kirchner
© Markus Ranalter
© Tauber's Bio Vitalhotel
© Alex Moling
More than 4,500 guided hikes, countless hours spent in nature, and encounters with people seeking a return to simplicity: hiking has been a labor of love in the Puster Valley since the founding of Tauber's Bio Vitalhotel in 1992. The Tauber family focused on regionality, organic food, and holistic well-being early on—long before sustainability became a buzzword. The combination of alpine exercise and inner balance makes the hotel a true pioneer for conscious hiking vacations in South Tyrol. The summer of 2025 marks a very special step into the future for the four-member Tauber family: the main building will be completely renovated, as can be seen in the photos above. With great attention to detail, modern accents, and a clear focus on sustainability, even more space will be created for relaxing vacations and nature-oriented recreation.
The name "Regina" (Italian for "queen") dates back to a time when German names were banned in South Tyrol – and to this day stands for dignity and consistency. Since 1936, the hotel has been welcoming guests to the Ritten, now run by the fourth generation of the Unterhofer family. What was once a very progressive guesthouse for its time, with running hot water and central heating, has developed into a beautiful hotel with a deep soul – lovingly modernized and grown with care. In 2025, the Wanderhotel Regina will look back on 90 years of history – 30 of them as a certified hiking hotel for authentic hiking vacations in South Tyrol.
© Hotel Regina
© Hotel Regina
© Hotel Regina
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