Alpine Association huts Braunschweiger Hütte

Description

Impressive mountain hut by the Mittelbergferner glacier
German Alpine Club, Braunschweig Division

Natural stone on the outside, lots of wood on the inside: welcoming lounges and bedrooms invite you to linger at the Braunschweiger Hütte, an alpine hut where traditional Austrian cuisine is served. The Braunschweiger Hütte is located in the Ötztal Alps at the end of the Pitztal Valley. Originally built in 1892, it was extended in 1932 and 1965 before being completely refurbished from 2010 to 2012. Today it is equipped with a seminar room for events and is the highest accommodation on the E5 long-distance hiking trail. The Franz Auer via ferrata climbing route is only a ten-minute walk from the hut. Its neighbour, the Mittelbergferner glacier, is super-cool and very impressive. Those who prefer to make their ascent with the Gletscherexpress lift should take the route over the glacier “tongue” to the hut. Well-known surrounding mountains: Innere Schwarze Schneid, Karleskogel, Linker und Rechter Fernerkogel, Wildspitze.

How to get to the Braunschweiger Hütte

From Mittelberg to the end of the Pitztal Valley (2- 3 hours), with the Gletscherexpress lift from Mittelberg to 2,841 metres above sea level, cross the “tongue” of the Mittelbergferner Glacier (mountaineering equipment required), before descending to the hut (2 hours). Via Sölden in the Ötztal Valley from the Rettenbachjoch car park and over the Pitztaler Jöchl (1 hour), or with the chairlift to Rettenbachjoch from the slightly lower lying car park, shorter, but faster descent (0.5 to 1 hour). Only the variants starting from Mittelberg are recommended in winter.

Walks and hikes in the area (ascent only)

Karleskogel, 3,107 metres, 2 hours, difficult
Wildspitze, 3,772 metres, 5,5 hours, difficult (glacier crossing)
Innere Schwarze Schneid, 3,369 metres, 3 hours, difficult (glacier crossing)
Linker Fernerkogel, 3,278 metres, 2.5 hours, difficult (glacier crossing)
Rechter Fernerkogel, 3,300 metres, 4 hours, difficult (glacier crossing)

Further huts in the area, long-distance walking trail

Riffelseehütte, 5 hours
Breslauer Hütte, 4.5 hours
Taschachhaus, 4.5 hours
Rüsselsheimer Hütte, 9 hours
Vernagthütte, 5.5 hours
Rheinland-Pfalz-Biwak, 4.5 hours

The hut is on the E5 long-distance walking trail  (Stage 4) and the Ötztal Trek (Stage 18)