Alpine air & the scent of goats
A very special alpine experience with Helga and her goats
What is special about alpine pasture farming in Tyrol? Why are goats so important for alpine farming? How is goat cheese made? Why do you still find such a wide variety of species in our alpine herbs? And: where is the craft of scythe mowing still practiced on mountain pastures? Questions to which we will find answers in the Inner Valsertal.
For several years now, our guests in the mountaineering village of St. Jodok-Schmirn-Valsertal have had the unique opportunity to get to know Alpine life up close in the "School of the Alpine Pasture". Accompanied by alpine dairymaid Helga and her tame herd of Tauernschecken goats, you will go on extensive hikes. You will collect and identify herbs with our herbalist. You will then make your own aromatic wild herb salt to take home with you. During these excursions, you will not only be introduced to the background and secrets of alpine farming. You will also learn about the work that has been carried out on the alpine pastures and mountain meadows for centuries. This includes shepherding, extensive knowledge of plants, milking and cheese-making. You will learn all this in front of the magnificent panorama of the Valsertal mountains, far away from the noise of our hectic world.
Highlights
- Goat's milk and cream cheese production
- Getting to know mountain herbs and roots
- Hike to Erich's "Land Art Kingdom"
- Tyrolean alpine cuisine from the wood stove
- Get to know like-minded people
Important information:
To take part in the "Alpine air and the scent of goats" course, you must be sure-footed and have a head for heights. Sturdy mountain boots, sun and rain protection and your water bottle are part of the basic equipment on both course days.
Info for our dog owners:
Rough terrain and steep slopes, as well as mowing with scythes, can be dangerous for dogs. Without dogs, both the people and the herd of goats move more freely on Helga's Alm.
We have therefore decided not to allow dogs on the courses and thank you for your understanding.
The program at a glance
Thursday: Arrival
Arrival and arrival: By train to Innsbruck or Brenner (perfectly accessible by long-distance trains), from there free S-Bahn connections with the guest card or by car to St. Jodok am Brenner.
At 18:30 there will be a welcome meeting at the inn in St. Jodok followed by the opportunity to have dinner together.
Friday and Saturday: Goat Latin, herbs and hiking boots
In the morning, you will meet up with like-minded course participants in Vals. Together with the herd of goats, you will explore the area of Helga's alpine pasture, where you will learn about goat Latin and fresh cheese production.
You will learn all about the importance of alpine pasture management and the hard work required to preserve alpine pastures and mountain meadows as a cultural heritage. On a walk around the mountain pasture, you will collect fresh herbs and learn a lot about mountain herbs and roots, their healing powers and their use in the kitchen.
The joint hike takes you to a high alpine pasture in Valsertal (2,000 m) with a visit to Erich's "Land Art Kingdom".
You will enjoy Tyrolean alpine cuisine from the wood stove, get to know Valser Kasnocken and Beerribler and taste a Tyrolean schnapps.
(Important note: Helga will determine the order of the individual program points at short notice depending on the weather. Sturdy mountain boots, sun and rain protection and your water bottle are therefore part of the basic equipment on both course days).
Sunday: Journey home
Farewell and departure. If you still have a little time, use the day for another tour in the hiking paradise of the mountaineering village, e.g. to the Padaunerkogel, the Ottenspitze or the Sumpfkopf - the via ferrata in the Stafflacher Wand in difficulty level B/C also promises fantastic views.
Dates & Prices
Dates 2025:
21.08.-24.08.2025 fully booked
28.08.-31.08.2025
04.09.-07.09.2025
11.09.-14.09.2025
Prices 2025:
€345 per person in a double room (private boarding house with running water/shower on the floor)
€375 per person in a single room (private boarding house with running water/shower on the floor)
€385 per person in a double room (inn, room with shower/WC)
€445,- per person in a single room (inn, room with shower/WC)
Minimum number of participants: 5 persons
Minimum age: 16 years
Included services
- 3x overnight stay incl. breakfast in the booked category (private guesthouse or inn)
- Welcome drink on the day of arrival at the inn in St. Jodok
- 1x alpine day including lunch snack
- Goat's milk and cream cheese production
- Herbs and roots
- Valser Kasnocken and Beerribler
- 1x guided hike to the Hochalm including snack
- 1x regional dinner (3-course menu) at the Bergsteiger-Gasthof Touristenrast
- Guest card = ticket for public transport in the Wipptal (S-Bahn Innsbruck-Brenner, regional buses to all valleys)
The local tax of €2.60 per person per night is not included.
Booking form Alpine air & scent of goats
Booking and cancellation policy:
6 weeks before arrival you will receive the detailed information about the Almluft & Ziegenduft course with program, accommodation address, packing list as well as the invoice, which is due 4 weeks before arrival.
Cancellation conditions:
up to 6 weeks before arrival: €50 per person cancellation fee
6 to 2 weeks before arrival: 30% cancellation fee
from 2 weeks before arrival: 50% cancellation fee.
We recommend that you take out cancellation insurance with Europäische Reiseversicherung. With your booking confirmation we will send you a link where you can take out your insurance easily, quickly and online.
Provider:
Incoming Reisebürogesellschaft GmbH
Rathausplatz 1
6150 Steinach a. Br.
Tel.: 0043 5272 6270