In Mutters, village history, living traditions and routes into the mountain landscape offer different focuses for a trip. The parish church and historic farmhouses tell the story of the village; the cable car, Alpine pasture trails and seasonal offerings provide further options for planning. Which ones are right for you also depends on the time of year: the Muttereralm cable car runs in summer and winter, while the ski area is a winter offering and the family swimming pool’s operating season may vary.
Village History and Traditions in Mutters
The parish church, dedicated to Saint Nicholas, was first mentioned in 1327, expanded in 1440 and consecrated in its present form in 1510. These dates mark different stages in its history: its first mention, its expansion and the later consecration of the church in its present form. The patron saint of the village also inspires an annual tradition. On 6 December, the feast day of Saint Nicholas, BumsaschieĂźen is celebrated in Mutters.
At the heart of the tradition is the “Bumsa,” a cone-shaped sound amplifier about 1.5 metres long, made from wooden barrel staves. Twelve unmarried young men guard it overnight while young men from the neighbouring village of Natters try to steal it. This describes the tradition as a communal event: the object itself, its protection and the contest are all part of it.
Another historic landmark is the “Zum Schupfen” inn on the Brenner federal highway in Mutters, which served as Andreas Hofer’s headquarters. The Mesneranderl offers insight into another aspect of local history: it is a Mittertennhof, a historic type of farm building commonly found in Tyrol. In this type of farm, the living quarters, stable and threshing floor are all under one roof. Mesneranderl is also an Erbhof, an inherited farm that has been worked by the same family for at least 200 years.
Old farmhouses adorned with flowers line the village street. Together with Mesneranderl, they illustrate different aspects of rural architecture and farming history, without any single construction date having to explain the character of the whole village.
Alpine Pasture Trails and Cable Car
The Muttereralm cable car takes visitors from Mutters to the Muttereralm in a modern 8-person gondola in both summer and winter. Operating conditions may vary by season, so check the current service before your trip. In winter, the Muttereralm has a family-friendly ski area. Those planning a hike will find several different routes and starting points.
The Mutterer Almweg (510) starts at the valley station of the Muttereralm cable car and leads up to the Muttereralm at an altitude of 1,608 metres. The Innsbruck Alpine Pasture Trail starts at the Muttereralm and leads via the Raitiser Alm and Kreither Alm to the Pfarrachalm in the Stubai Valley. The routes differ in their sequence and destination: one climbs from the valley station to the Muttereralm, while the other continues from one Alpine pasture to the next and on into the Stubai Valley.
The Raitiser Almweg is all about meadows and views of the Stubai Valley and the surrounding mountains. From the Raitiser Alm, an easy-to-walk panoramic trail connects to the Kreither Alm and the Mutterer Alm. The Westliches Mittelgebirge panoramic trail is another hike described as easy: covering 9.6 kilometres and 533 metres of elevation gain, it runs from Mutters through Natters, Götzens, Birgitz and Axams to Grinzens. The distance and elevation figures help distinguish this trail from routes with different starting and ending points. Trail conditions may vary by season.
Family Activities and Seasonal Planning
The Kreith–Telfer Wiesen route is a family hike through meadows and larch forests. You can return to the starting point by taking the Stubai Valley Railway. The railway passes through Mutters and Natters; its terminus is in Fulpmes in the Stubai Valley. If you plan to take the train back, check the current service in advance.
The Freizeitzentrum Mutters family swimming pool also offers several specific facilities: a swimming pool with several lanes, massage jets and a water slide for children. As operating times may vary by season, it is a good idea to check the current opening hours before your visit. During a farm tour for children and families, visitors can feed chickens, collect freshly laid eggs, visit pigs, spend time in the cows’ stable and watch milking. Dates may change, so check the current offering in advance.
These activities offer different reasons to choose one time of year over another: in winter, the ski area on the Muttereralm complements the gondola ride, while the hiking trails and their respective landscapes and routes take centre stage. Village history, the Saint Nicholas tradition and the farm tour offer other highlights. Check current schedules for seasonal activities and train services before planning around them.
Discover more destinations: Gnadenwald, Municipality in Tyrol, Navis, Scharnitz, Ampass, Thaur, Innsbruck, Trins.
Go to the main travel overview: Innsbruck-Land.
