From the Forest to Wow

About 125 years ago, the site of what is now the Waldpark Hochreiter was home to the Hochreiter farm, which still gives the area its name. However, farming has not been practiced there for a long time. For the past 35 years, atop the Teichalm, where electricity is supplied solely by the property's photovoltaic system and water comes from two springs, the Waldpark has existed—previously known as the Ökopark. It started as a nature park founded by Erhard Pretterhofer's parents, designed as a destination for families, particularly for children. What began with a snack station and a forest trail has grown into a full-fledged leisure park. About five years ago, Erhard and Angelika took over the property in the second generation. From the beginning, it was clear: they wanted to make changes—not out of youthful rebellion, but because they saw the potential in offering a nature experience for both children and their parents.

The younger generation of the Pretterhofer family is not originally from the tourism and gastronomy sectors. Erhard's professional background is in forestry, while Angelika's is in marketing. They bring a wealth of expertise, but there is also a lot to learn. Their external perspective has one major advantage: they see the project through different eyes.

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They noticed that at many family destinations, the focus is almost exclusively on the children. They wanted to do things differently. They wanted to create something for the adults as well. The snack station was transformed into a restaurant, complete with a crawling area and a slide inside, so parents could relax at the table while their little ones played. And then there is the view of the Hochlantsch mountain. When Josef Göbel first visited for a site inspection, he immediately said, "This is the view we need," recalls Angelika Hochreiter. And so it was done. The treehouse is impressive inside—true to the theme, it features plenty of wood, but not dark and traditional. Instead, it is light, welcoming, and modern. On the outside, the view would make any true treehouse envious. “We are people who love good food,” say the Pretterhofers. And that’s exactly how they wanted it to be reflected in the space.

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The Waldpark reflects much of what defines the Pretterhofer family—an eye for detail. When they are out with their son Elias, they always come up with new ideas for their own project. There is always room for improvement, and always an opportunity to grow. The story of Waldpark in Breitenau am Hochlantsch, with its stylish treehouse, is far from over. Just in the summer of 2024, a new lumberjack trail was opened. “Behind the Waldpark is a bigger vision,” says Angelika Pretterhofer. On the Teichalm, they plan to create a year-round destination, where forest knowledge will be imparted playfully throughout the year.

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In 2026, work on an indoor area is expected to begin. Initial ideas are already being exchanged. “For such projects,” says Erhard Pretterhofer, “you need a partner who thinks outside the box. And we found that with Josef Göbel.”