Farm Vacation Meets Chalet Luxury: The Estate Moserhof in Austria

400 hectares of land, 15 chalets, an estate and countless experiences: The Estate Moserhof in Penk is Carinthia’s premium accommodation for nature lovers of all ages. Whether fly fishing in the Möll, feeding alpacas in the petting zoo or simply relaxing in the private whirlpool with a view of the lake – the country estate in the south of Austria skillfully combines adventure with relaxation.

The Moserhof is something very special… There are places that don’t just accommodate you, but welcome you like a warm embrace. They give you views of crystal-clear rivers, delight your ears with the sound of crackling firewood and fill the air with the aroma of freshly baked bread. Welcome to the natural chalet village Moserhof!

The refuge in Carinthia’s Mölltal valley in the Hohe Tauern region calls rivers, forests, mountains and animals its neighbors and looks back on 800 years of history. Today, the former dairy farm is a chalet village that combines farm vacations with alpine luxury, run by Gerhild and Heinz Hartweger.

Romantic mountain huts and alpine ambience

Instead of the usual double rooms where you live next door to each other, at the Moserhof you stay in lovingly designed, individual chalets. Almost every piece of furniture is unique with a family history, or handmade by host Heinz using wood from his own forests. A dozen of these accommodations are lined up around the historic estate.

A little secluded and yet only a five-minute walk away, the forest chalet, newly opened in 2024, is in a secluded location with four bedrooms on 180 square meters. It is perfect for couples, families or groups of friends who value privacy as much as exclusivity. The chalet in the middle of the forest offers a natural swimming pond with sunbathing lawn, hot tub, sauna and even its own stables and petting zoo. In the morning, you can pick up fresh eggs from the local chickens, while the rest of your breakfast is delivered to your door.

At the Moserhof: hosts with heart and wood

The cuisine at the Moserhof is fundamentally based on fine, authentic Carinthian cuisine with local products. Many of these – such as the eggs, but also the lettuce and herbs – are home-grown. Three times a week there is a four-course dinner at the Gutshof, created by head chef Christian. On the other days, guests can order a BBQ basket to their chalet, as each one has a barbecue.

The owner couple Heinz and Gerhild Hartweger not only take care of the physical well-being of their guests, but also of all small and large concerns. They are facilitators, sometimes also animators and counselors, and hold in-depth conversations instead of small talk. Gerhild and Heinz deliberately invite their guests to take part in everyday life on an organic farm. If you like, you can help feed the rabbits, goats or ponies in the petting zoo, for example, or bake bread together once a week.

Farmer Heinz is also a passionate craftsman. On request, he organizes wood workshops in his workshop, where you can make practical chopping boards or decorative hearts, which will later stand like an alpine trophy on many a dining table at home.

Hunting, fishing, riding and relaxing

Speaking of trophies: Hunting is also part of the Hartweger family’s life and is a special experience for guests with a hunting license. Simply going game watching is also an option. Just like fly fishing in rubber boots in the Möll, which meanders silvery through the valley. For the more adventurous, there are also rafting tours and rides with the Moserhof horses. Depending on the weather, you can ride indoors, on the two outdoor arenas or on a 200-kilometer network of riding trails.

Also on offer when it comes to active vacations: Via ferratas and cycle paths in the immediate vicinity as well as guided torchlight hikes with a ranger in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Less adrenaline-packed courses for adults such as forest bathing and yoga are also part of the Landgut Moserhof program, while younger guests can look forward to tractor rides, a play barn and stick bread evenings by the fire bowl. Race Heiko the farm dog while parents enjoy an aperitif on the terrace with a view of the rushing River Möll? The Moserhof also offers such experiences.


If you fancy a bit of city air, you can drive to Obervellach in just a few minutes. A charming little town with historic houses and nice cafés where time ticks a little slower.

Wellness for humans and dogs

Switch off, come down: Incidentally, guests not only experience the relaxation they need in their private chalets, but also while swimming in the large natural pond or in the resort’s charming “Wellnesshäusl”. Three different saunas and a relaxation room with a view of the Möll are available there.

Good to know: There is an extra section of beach for dogs on the banks of the river. The other pet-friendly facilities at Landgut Moserhof also include two forest ponds and a dog playground with an obstacle course.

Summit happiness in a mountain chalet

With or without pets: if you’re looking for even more seclusion, book the mountain chalet at 1,600 meters above sea level, around 30 minutes’ drive away. The Moseralm boasts three bedrooms, a beautiful separate bathhouse with a free-standing bathtub and sauna as well as its own natural bathing pond.

The motto is “come up to come down”, while you can marvel at the panoramic view of the three-thousand-metre peaks of the Alps from the Moseralpe hunting area. An ideal place not only for those seeking peace and quiet, but also for anyone who wants to do a “workation”. Thanks to a fiber optic connection, there is even high-performance Wi-Fi in the high-altitude mountain chalet.

It is the mix of modern comfort and traditional hospitality that makes the Moserhof a feel-good place and a showcase project for sustainable tourism. Once you’ve been here, you’ll know: this is how a vacation should be!

Photos: Landgut Moserhof (12), Mike Badstübner (4)