Regenerating Just a Few Steps from Gudon
In the Val d’Isarco, there is Gudon, a postcard village with the 16th-century Church of Saint Martin, Summersberg Castle, and the private Koburg Residence. The whole area is captivating, with its slender bell tower, the charming historic center, and the Odle mountains in the background. Gudon is often called the “village on seven hills” due to the stunning panorama that surrounds it. The Zillertal Alps and the Sarentine Alps are within reach of hiking boots, with nearby views of the Corno del Renon, Alpe di Villandro, and Plose. In the summer, the village comes to life with a painting exhibition, but it remains a peaceful place, always on a human scale. The village is also close to several ski resorts: Plose, Val Gardena, Alpe di Siusi, Gitschberg Jochtal, and Obereggen (klausen.it).
I discovered Gudon by walking the trail that descends into the forest behind the Gnollhof Hotel, and I was enchanted. I was also impressed by the Gnollhof Hotel. As soon as you arrive, you realize that beyond it lies only the forest, and the hotel is perched on a meadow overlooking the valley. It boasts an incredible position, and even from the rooms with large windows, the view stretches over fields and forests.
The Gnollhof Hotel is also a wellness oasis, owned by the Verginer family for four generations (gnollhof.it). Margit Verginer and her daughter told me the history of this hotel-paradise: “In this area, in the second half of the 1800s, there were the Froy baths, and at the time, the family owned a farm. People started asking if we had rooms to rent, and little by little, the family’s hotel business began.” Today, the hotel hosts international guests, with Margit noting that at one point, there were 18 different nationalities represented. The hotel guarantees hospitality and freedom, allowing guests to relax, spend time in the wellness center with saunas and a steam bath, or unwind in the heated infinity pool with a valley view in winter, or in the indoor pool. For immune support, there’s a panoramic Finnish sauna, and for a lighter feeling, the hydro massage. In short, the spa is one of the hotel’s main attractions.
The surrounding landscape is another highlight, with the forest behind the hotel, ideal for forest bathing, cycling, or hiking to Laion, for instance. Margit recommends a trip to Rescesa, where the view opens up toward Val Gardena, the Val d’Isarco, the Sciliar, and the Sassolungo Group. In the evening, you can dine in the all-glass restaurant that overlooks the mountains. You feel far from everything, but never from nature and silence. The breath of the forest is tangible, and it’s a beautiful way to bid it farewell as you descend in gratitude for all the well-being it offers.
