Located in Leogang, a picturesque Alpine village framed by snow-capped peaks and dense forest, Naturhotel Forsthofgut is perfectly in tune with its breathtaking surroundings. Here, the air is clearer, the senses sharper, and nature feels close at hand — because it is.
Far from a typical luxury hotel, Naturhotel Forsthofgut is a living, breathing legacy. Once a simple forestry station back in 1617, it’s been in the Schmuck family for four centuries, with Christoph and Christina Schmuck, the fifth generation, now at the helm. Lovingly nurtured over the years, what began as a working farm has evolved into one of Europe’s leading nature retreats.
Tucked into nearly 100 acres of meadows and woodlands, the hotel makes its home at the foot of the Asitz Mountain — a gateway to adventure in every season. Whether guests arrive for spring skiing or a summer of wildflower hikes, they are greeted by an atmosphere that is at once refined and deeply rooted in the earth.
The experience begins with the setting. From every balcony and terrace, nature performs: Alpine peaks shift with the light, pine forests hum with quiet life, and in the warmer months, the scent of fresh herbs from the hotel’s farm mingles with mountain air. But it’s the hotel’s philosophy — harmony with nature — that truly defines the stay.
Take the waldSPA, Europe’s first forest spa, now expanded into a 5,700m² sanctuary of wellness. There are separate zones for adults and families, complete with indoor and outdoor pools, a Finnish lake sauna, and a guided onsen-style bathing ritual that begins in the shower area and ends in the soothing 42°C waters of the dedicated onsen pool set within the serene swimming lake. For the grown-up guest in need of solitude, the adults-only Lake House offers a deeply restorative space to soak, recline, or indulge in a tailored treatment inspired by Alpine botanicals.
Children, meanwhile, receive the same level of care and attention. Rocky’s Kids Club, miniGUT petting farm, and nature-themed activity programmes make Naturhotel Forsthofgut a rare find: a hotel where barefoot luxury and family fun coexist beautifully. Here, toddlers can ride ponies, teens can go caving and ziplining, and parents can trust that little ones are not just entertained but thoughtfully and joyfully engaged.
Dining, too, is infused with intention. The hotel’s newest culinary jewel is silva, a forest-themed fine dining restaurant that embodies the hotel’s sensory philosophy. Helmed by Head Chef Michael Helfrich, who trained at Noma, the restaurant serves Forest and Meadow menus that reinterpret regional traditions through a modern, sustainable lens. Expect dishes like pickled blueberry and bone marrow dumplings or vegan roulades with foraged mushrooms — each plate a poetic tribute to the surrounding landscape.
For something equally tempting, there’s the Japanese fusion restaurant Mizūmi, set beside the lake with sushi that rivals the best city offerings, or Restaurant 1617 for refined Austrian fare. A half-board dining concept allows guests to explore varied menus across ten individually styled dining rooms — some reserved for families and others exclusively for adults — while the daily Genussmarkt buffet and küchenGRUSS tea trolley ensure indulgence at every turn. And for those who appreciate a fine pour, the Botanist cocktail bar and weinWALD wine cellar promise memorable pairings — be they spirited or alcohol-free.
Beyond the walls of the hotel lies the adventure of the Saalbach Hinterglemm Leogang Fieberbrunn ski area: 270km of pistes easily accessed from Naturhotel Forsthofgut’s doorstep. Come spring, guests can carve fresh tracks by morning and return for sushi lunches in the sun, or join a scenic snowshoe trek through quiet mountain forests. In summer, the focus turns to wild swimming, yoga in spruce-shaded shalas, bicyle rides down pine-covered hills and farm-to-fork excursions through the hotel’s own organic farm, Mauthof.
Indeed, sustainability isn’t a statement here — it’s a practice. From zero-waste kitchens to a forest that absorbs 460 tonnes of carbon annually, Naturhotel Forsthofgut walks its green talk. The hotel supports regional producers, sources ingredients hyper-locally, and even hosts its own herd of deer alongside a variety of animals, including llamas, sheep and hens. With a recent string of accolades — including “Eco Hotel of the Year” and a Michelin Key — the hotel is celebrated not just for its hospitality but its integrity.
To find out more about Naturhotel Forsthofgut and book, visit the links below:
Naturhotel Forsthofgut
Hütten 2
5771 Leogang
Austria
Web: forsthofgut.at/en
Tel: +43 6583 8561
Email: info@forsthofgut.at
Instagram: @naturhotelforsthofgut | @silva.leogang