| Location: | Alpenhaus Prossau |
| Website: | https://www.alpenhaus-prossau.at/ |
| Address: | Kötschachtal 55, 5640 Bad Gastein |
| Status: | Open (last checked on 27 June 2025) |
| Eaten: | “Prossauteller,” three beers (Kaiser) |
This is my second visit to Bad Gastein after a ten-year break, and I must admit that almost everything I did the first time was wrong. I stayed in a large, centrally located hotel, went on a pointless stroll around the town by first walking downhill into the valley and then coming back by a vehicular road, and took cable cars up the mountains covered with ugly ski lifts.
This time, I was better prepared. The hotel was small, but close to the railway station and very cozy and quiet. I also researched the route to Kötschachtal, which appeared perfect to spend the afternoon after my arrival. Reachable via the Kaiser-Wilhelm Promenade (Bad Gastein’s most famous scenic path), the Kötschachtal valley starts by the hotel village Grüner Baum (sadly, permanently closed) and ends – after a 5 km long walk along a wide, mostly flat path – with Alpenhaus Prossau.
The Alpenhaus is mostly surrounded by woods, so do not expect panoramic alpine views from its terrace. On the other hand, there are two high and very beautiful waterfalls on each side of the restaurant, which create a special atmosphere. In addition, there are marmots living nearby; I saw one on my way to the hut and another one on my way back (though quite possibly, it was the same marmot).
Prossau’s Brettljause was not cheap, but bigger than average and included a shot of schnapps, which must cost a couple of euros by itself. The Schweinsbraten and one type of cheese were served as thick cuts, which usually improves the taste, but generally, all the ingredients were very enjoyable. I wish the cheese had a stronger flavor, and the tiny wrapped portion of butter was totally insufficient, but these are minor grumbles. The Brettljause contained enough vegetables to make it balanced, and the bread was very fresh, which I frankly did not except from a hut at the end of a valley.
For a half-day trip culminating in a Brettljause, Alpenhaus Prossau is perfect. You can even visit it on a rainy day, and in winter, there are horse carriages that can bring you there over a snowy landscape. If you are more adventurous than I am, you can try the game version of the Brettljause, which replaces pork with venison and chamois meat.