News from paradise

🎶 “Das Wandern ist des Menschen Lust, das wa-ha-nd-ern…” 🎶

Don’t worry—I’m much better at hiking than singing. Promise! Here at Hotel Eden, we take you into the mountains several times a week.

We Erlers know every corner of the Tux Valley better than our own pockets. And we see it again and again: our guests arrive stressed and return home happy. That is certainly thanks to movement in the mountain landscape.

But why is that? Science has discovered some surprising answers. And I’ll also tell you why hiking in the Zillertal is something truly special.

Are humans made for hiking?

The so-called Savanna Hypothesis suggests that humans have genetically encoded preferences for certain landscapes: open spaces, scattered trees, and water in sight.

However, this theory is debated, as early humans also lived in other environments.

But you know what? When we are out here in the Zillertal, looking down from the Tettensjoch into the valley, it feels as if we were made for exactly this. Genes or not—there must be more behind humans’ love for hiking.

Hiking makes you happy (scientifically proven)

A study from Stanford University found that time in nature reduces activity in the brain region associated with rumination and depressive thoughts.

So hiking doesn’t just distract you—it actually changes which parts of your brain are active.

If you feel like your “head is clear” after a hike in the Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park, that is not magic—it is biology.

That is exactly why we offer guided hikes at Hotel Eden. Because we know: the mountains do something to you.

Two hours per week are enough

Let’s be honest: one hiking holiday in Tux is not a cure-all. But it is a good start. A gentle hike to the Brandalm, an afternoon on the Penken, a walk along the stream—here in the Tux Valley you have 350 km of marked hiking trails right on your doorstep. If you spend just two hours per week in nature, you gain measurable mental health benefits.

So hiking changes your brain for the better—but that still doesn’t fully explain why people love it so much.

Trees as a natural pharmacy

You don’t have to hug trees—but you should breathe deeply. Trees release organic compounds called phytoncides and terpenes. These so-called “forest hormones” may strengthen the immune system.

In Japan, this has been studied since the 1980s under the term shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Here in the Tux Valley, we are surrounded by forests, alpine meadows, and the Zillertal Alps High Mountain Nature Park.

Awe: the powerful emotion of mountains

Above the tree line, another feeling often appears: awe. Psychologist Dacher Keltner from UC Berkeley has studied this emotion for over two decades. It describes the feeling of wonder, vastness, and silence.

About 75% of awe experiences are triggered by nature. Mountains are especially powerful: they quiet the inner noise.

When you stand in front of the Olperer or look down from the Geierspitze, your inner critic suddenly becomes very quiet.

Hiking helps against loneliness

Studies show that some long-distance hikers experience loneliness—but also that group experiences help significantly.

That is why we offer guided hikes at Hotel Eden. Not because you need us to find the way—but because shared experiences create connection.

What really matters

All these studies are interesting—but in the end, it is about you and how you feel when you hike.

That is why we invite you: come to the Tux Valley. Come to Eden. Let’s walk together.

We’ll show you where the forest shares its strongest energy, where awe is most powerful, and why your love for hiking is in the best possible company.

A recipe for real Tyrolean Kaspressknödel?

Patrick looks unconvinced. Almost as if he had been asked to measure the wind or weigh the mountains. As a Tyrolean—and a chef at that—he prepares Kaspressknödel the way they are meant to be made, just as they have always been in the Zillertal and elsewhere in Tyrol: by instinct.

It takes some convincing before Patrick finally reaches for the long-forgotten kitchen scale. What follows is a lively discussion about history and origins, about perfect side dishes and culinary “sins,” and the question:
 

Where can you find the best Kaspressknödel in the world?

The answer may surprise you: at Hotel Eden, we can only serve the second-best Kaspressknödel on the planet. The absolute best Kaspressknödel are found at the Gamshütte. Probably because the breathtaking impressions of the hike also become part of the tasting experience on the alpine hut.

But back in the Eden kitchen, Patrick finally starts weighing out the long-lost ingredients.

The Zillertal national dish: Kaspressknödel

Kaspressknödel are many things—but one thing for sure is that they are not subtle. When frying, they release a very distinctive aroma that can sometimes reach the neighbors. “Spicy,” we say. “Strong,” others might call it.

Even visually, there is no way around it: Kaspressknödel are flat, brown patties that stretch long cheese strings when cut open. So why have the people of the Zillertal chosen this “Zerggl” as the unofficial culinary symbol of their cuisine?

The answer is simple: the magic reveals itself in the first bite. This combination of texture and aroma is powerful and hard to describe. A Kaspressknödel is more than the sum of its ingredients—and that has to do with its history.

Especially with one ingredient that deserves its own story:

The legend of the smelly “poor man’s cheese” that runs away

Graukäse is a chapter of its own. Its exact origin is unclear, but even Celts and Romans likely knew similar forms. In more recent times, it was considered food for the poor and looked down upon by higher society.

Graukäse is made from soured skimmed milk, a byproduct of butter production. If aged too long, it can even become semi-liquid—almost “melting away.” Patrick believes this might be how Kaspressknödel were invented: nothing was ever thrown away, not even cheese.

Today, Graukäse is an EU-protected delicacy.

Patrick now weighs out exactly 130 grams. Another 130 grams of mountain cheese are added. Then a generous piece of clarified butter melts in a cast-iron pan, and the “Zerggl” are fried until golden. It takes time—but otherwise, they would almost qualify as fast food.

How to eat Kaspressknödel—and how not to

Now comes the big decision:
Should Kaspressknödel be served on a fresh salad, in a rich beef broth, or alongside sauerkraut?

Patrick also prepares some sauerkraut as a side option.

One culinary sin, however, is non-negotiable:
Never cover Kaspressknödel in sauce. Whoever does so risks being banned from alpine huts forever.

A Kaspressknödel deserves respect—it is a true piece of Tyrolean culture you can eat.

Zillertal Kaspressknödel – the original recipe from Tux

Ingredients (for 4 people):

• 150 g bread for dumplings

• 1 large chopped onion

• 1 garlic clove, chopped

• 125 ml milk

• 130 g grated mountain cheese

• 130 g Graukäse

• 1 boiled potato

• 2 eggs

• 2 egg yolks

• Olive oil

• Chives, parsley, salt, pepper, nutmeg

Preparation:

Heat the milk, season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and pour over the bread. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil and mix with the remaining ingredients. Set aside some cheese for topping. Season the mixture and shape small patties. Fry them in clarified butter until golden brown on both sides, gently pressing them flat.

Serve with green salad, sauerkraut, or in a rich beef broth.

We wish you lots of joy and success in recreating this dish!

It hides between the glittering arms of an ice crystal and a cheerful "It's so nice to have you here." You'll find it on your plate and in the song of silence. It waits where authenticity resides: at Hotel Eden. While others stumble into the post-holiday slump, you'll start your new year off right with this secret recipe. Take:

A wagonload of authenticity
After all the jingle-ring-a-ling and fuss of the Christmas season and all the AI ​​hype and social media posturing, it's time for the authentic. At Eden, you'll find real hospitality, real experiences, real nature, and real emotions.

A handful of turns to combat the New Year's blues
Do you know that dull "Now what?" feeling that sometimes creeps in after the exciting holidays? That strange mix of exhaustion, restlessness, nostalgia, and bewilderment? The best remedy: a beautiful carving turn. On the ski slopes, the wind blows away whatever's weighing you down. Up there, it's just you, the snow, and that indescribable feeling of freedom. If you're hitting the slopes in January, you can look forward to plenty of space and the good company of the locals. We know: Now's the perfect time to carve your way through the slopes.

A Trillion Tyrolean Snowflakes
January is the month when the snow makes its grand entrance: It's powdery, buttery, perfect. When you pull back the curtains in the morning and behold this splendor, you'll know what we mean. Tux has always been a "snow hole." Today, that's a compliment, as the unique microclimate provides you with the most exquisite powder and skiing bliss well into spring.

A Fistful of Courage for Narrow Skis
Inhale. Exhale. Push off, glide. Left, right. Tension, relaxation. Cross-country skiing is a wonderful way to move forward. In life and in complete tranquility. All around you, the deep snow swallows the murmur of the world, and your thoughts grow ever calmer. Even if it takes a little courage at first to venture onto the wobbly, thin skis: give it a try! You can access the cross-country ski trails right at Hotel Eden; 28 kilometers of cross-country tracks await you. Look, we've even put together a cross-country skiing package!

A sack full of fresh winter air
You can safely skip the celery juice and strict resolutions. How about a breath of fresh air instead? Whether winter hiking, skiing, cross-country skiing, sledding, snowboarding, or simply taking a leisurely stroll through the snow, the cool, clear air fills your lungs and soul. The creations from the Eden kitchen are also true "soul food." Breakfast, an afternoon snack and a four-course dinner: Patrick and his team will pamper you with healthy, regional, and delicious cuisine.

A little hot, a little cold.
The interplay of cold and heat is a true fountain of youth, scientists say. We agree! Do your whole body a favor and enjoy our Eden Sauna. And while your colleagues are stuck in their stuffy offices, you can jump into the fresh snow. Completely naked, if you like.

Now you know the ingredients for our secret recipe. Want to know how to turn it into a great start to the new year? Click here and check out one of our offers. We're eager to see which one you like best.