“Muthöfe” near the village of Tirolo

Its history dates back to the Middle Ages, with a document from the year 1285 being the first written mention of the Muthöfe. This document is the oldest register of Tirol Castle from the time of Meinhard II, listing the tributes that each farm had to pay to the sovereign. Mentioned are the farms Hochmuth, Mittermut, the "red castle ward" (today's valley farmer) and Untermut. All these farms are located at an altitude of around 1,200 meters, were inhabited and cultivated all year round then as now, and lived mainly from alpine, hay and dairy farming. Even on today's Leiteralm at 1,550 meters above sea level, two year-round cultivated Schweighöfe are recorded.

For centuries, the Muthöfe were only accessible via narrow mule tracks, later at least the "Hochmut" cable car led nearby and enabled the transport of food and goods to the farms. For several years now, there is also a drivable road that makes life on the farms much easier. By the way, the cable car is still in operation and takes hikers to the Hochmut inn. The cable car ride offers a magnificent panoramic view over the village and Tirol Castle and over the spa town of Merano. Of course, the Muthöfe can also be reached on foot via a hiking trail - part of the Merano High Mountain Trail - and thus a rewarding destination or intermediate stop for a beautiful excursion.

The cultivation of the extremely steep slopes was, of course, very arduous and laborious at all times. The use of machinery is practically impossible here. Today, tourism is a way to earn extra income; for example, the Hochmuth farm is a popular inn with a beautiful beer garden. Room rental and the sale of their own agricultural products directly to guests also secure a livelihood. In addition, the meadows on the Mut have become coveted launch sites for paragliders. Despite all the modernizations and restorations of recent years, care has always been taken to preserve the historical structures, so that the Muthöfe still bear very authentic testimony to the traditional peasant culture and way of life today.