15 Remote Huts in Tirol
Thigh-burning ascents, thin mountain air and ice-cold showers – Tirol's remote huts don't sound that all that appealing. Yet those who have been to one know that the reward for these sacrifices are fabulous views, untouched landscapes, and total peace and quiet. Here is our guide to huts and refuges in Tirol which are hard to get to but easy to fall in love with.
1. Siegerlandhütte (2,710m), Windachtal
This hut traces its history back to the 1920s, when the Siegerland Division of the German Alpine Club was given a remote piece of land in the Stubai Alps, surrounded on all sides by mighty 3,000-metre mountains. The hut which was built here in the years that followed, the Siegerlandhütte, still has pretty luxurious furnishings for a place so far from civilisation and has developed a reputation for its excellent regional food.
How to get there
The hike up to the hut begins in the village of Sölden and takes a good 5 hours. There is also the option of taking a special shuttle service as far as the Gasthof Fiegl. From there it is about 3 hours on foot to the hut.
Hikes in the area
Most guests staying at the Siegerlandhütte climb the relatively easy peak of the Scheiblehnkogel (3,060m) – for many the first 3,000-metre summit of their lives. The hut is also a good base from which to ascend the highest mountains in the Stubai Alps, including the Zuckerhütl (3,507m) and the Sonklarspitze (3,463m).
2. Sudetendeutsche Hütte (2,656m), Hohe Tauern National Park
This hut lies in the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park, so the fabulous views and rich nature begin right from the very first step. Keep your eyes peeled and you may be lucky enough to see some of the iconic animals of the Alps such as marmots, eagles and chamoix as well as flowers like the famous Edelweiß. Up at the Sudetendeutschen Hütte itself the views are wonderful. To the south you can see for miles on end, while to the west lie the Venediger Mountains and to the east the Glockner Mountains including Austria's highest peak, the Großglockner.
How to get there
There are several ways to get to the Sudetendeutsche Hütte, all of which take 4-5 hours. One of the most beautiful approaches is from the village of Glanz via the Steiner Alm hut (4 hours).
Hikes in the area
Hikers who are sure-footed and have a good head for heights should climb the Großer Muntanitz (3,232m).
3. Badener Hütte (2,608m), Eastern Venediger Mountains
No matter whether you begin your ascent in Gruben or in Felbertauern, the approach to the Badener Hütte is always long and tiring. The upside of that is the fact that not many people embark on this arduous hike, meaning lots of peace and quiet up at the hut overlooking the Frosnitzkees glacier.
How to get there
From Gruben the approach takes 5 hours, from the Matreier Tauernhaus via Innergschlöss it takes around 6.5 hours.
Hikes in the area
After staying the night at the hut, we recommend hiking to the Lobbentörl and then up onto the Innerer Knorrkogel (2,884m) before descending via the "Eye of God" (a beautiful mountain lake shaped like an eye) into the Gschlösstal Valley and back to the Matreier Tauernhaus
4. Neue Reichenberger Hütte (2,586m), Lasörling Mountains
Panargenkamm Ridge, Lasörling Mountains, Trojeralmtal Valley – names which are not necessarily familiar to even Austrians with a passion for the mountains. Yet this area between the Virgental Valley and Deferregental Valley in East Tirol is spectacularly beautiful with its rolling pastures and mighty mountains. In the heart of it all lies the Neue Reichenberger Hütte, just a stone's throw from the pretty Bödensee lake.
How to get there
From St. Jakob in Defereggen or Hinterbichl in the Virgental Valley it takes around 4 hours to walk up to the hut.
Hikes in the area
In the evening we recommend a walk to the Bachlenke, a great place from which to watch the sun set behind the Großvenediger mountain. The next day you can hike up onto the Gösleswand, an eye-catching peak above the Bödensee lake. Despite its appearance, it is relatively easy to climb.
5. Hallerangerhaus (1,768m), Karwendel
The valleys leading into the Karwendel Mountains are beautiful but also long. At the end of one of them lies the Hallerangerhaus, located in the heart of the Karwendel Nature Park at the foot of the mighty mountains Speckkarspitze and Lafatscher.
How to get there
The most spectacular approach to the hut leads through an area known as the Vomper Loch, sometimes refered to by locals as the Grand Canyon of Tirol. From the Karwendelrast car park it takes 6-8 hours to get to the hut. There is a shorter but no less spectacular route leading through the Halltal Valley.
Hikes in the area
The ascent of the Speckkarspitze is a spectacular climb but not suitable for beginners. We recommend you speak to Thomas Lehner, who is in charge of the Hallerangerhaus. He has run the hut for more than 10 years and is a qualified hiking and nature guide.
6. Erlanger Hütte (2,550m), Ötztal Alps
Good things come to those who walk! That is the motto up at the Erlanger Hütte. The approach to this hut is not difficult but it is long, so make sure you plan plenty of time. The reward for all that hard work is a hearty meal prepared by head chef Christian Rimml using ingredients sourced from the region. Settle down on the terrace, enjoy a cool drink and enjoy the view.
How to get there
The approach from Umhausen in the Ötztal Valley through the Leierstal Valley takes 4.5 hours. The walk up from Tumpen via the Gehsteigalm hut takes 5 hours. Both routes also have the option of a shuttle taxi to shorten the approach.
Hikes in the area
A popular hike from the hut to the top of the Wildgrat, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful mountains in Tirol and offers views taking in the Ötztal Valley, Pitztal Valley and Inntal Valley.
7. Hermann-von-Barth-Hütte (2,131m), Allgäu Alps
This hut is named after mountaineering legend Hermann von Barth – and visitors may well feel a little like those early alpine pioneers. It is perched in the Hornbach Mountains high above the Lechtal Valley and has a long tradition as a basecamp for rock-climbing and mountaineering adventures. Indeed, the area around the Hermann-von-Barth-Hütte has more than 50 rock climbing routes. Those who prefer to take things easy can settle down on the terrace and enjoy the view of the Lechtal Alps stretching far into the distance.
How to get there
From Elbigenalp in the Lechtal Valley it takes around 4 hours to reach the hut. From Hinterhornbach the approach takes 5.5 hours.
Hikes in the area
The Plattenspitze mountain (2,488m) is a good place to watch climbers in action without having to don a helmet and harness yourself.
8. Württemberger Haus (2,220m), Lechtal Alps
The Württemberger Haus is situated on two of Tirol's most popular long-distance hiking trails: the Eagle Walk and the Lechtal High Trail. Most of the hikers staying the night here are walking one or the other – not many make the long approach from the valley all the way up to the hut. Those who do must complete a long but wonderfully remote approach through the Lechtal Alps. The reward, if you can call it that, is a very refreshing outdoor shower next to the hut!
How to get there
The approach from the village of Zams near Landeck leads through an area known as the Zammer Loch and takes around 5 hours. The walk up from Gramais via the Bitterscharte ridge takes a little longer.
Hikes in the area
The next stage of the Lechtal High Trail leads up over the summit of the Großbergspitze (2,657m) and on to the Memminger Hütte. Hikers who approach from Zams can hike on to the Steinseehütte the next day.
9. Brandenburger Haus (3,277m), Ötztal Alps
One of the highest mountain huts in Tirol, the Brandenburger Haus is also known as the Glacier Castle thanks to its location in the glaciated area of the Eastern Alps. It is probably the most remote of all the remote huts we are presenting to you here.
How to get there
From Vent via the Hochjochhospiz the approach takes 6.5 hours. From the Gepatschhaus it takes around 5.5 hours to get there. Please be aware that the hut can only be reached by crossing areas of glacier with crevasses. It is therefore only recommended for hikers with experience of alpine terrain.
Hikes in the area
The closest mountain is the Dahmannspitze (3,397m), just 100 vertical metres or so above the hut. There are also several more high mountains in the area which can be climbed by those with the requisite experience and equipment.
10. Ramolhaus (3,006m), Ötztal Alps
Huts don't come much more spectacular than the Ramolhaus. Constructed in 1881, this hut perched on a rocky outcrop high above the Gurgler Tal Valley and is the perfect place to enjoy wonderful sunrises and sunsets. The hike up is long, but those who want to lighten the load can ask for their rucksack to be carried up on the small cable car normally used to transport food and other provisions.
How to get there
From Obergurgl it takes around 4.5 hours to get to the hut. From Vent it takes around 4 hours to get there.
Hikes in the area
The Ramolhaus is known as a good base for high but not too challenging hikes and climbs, for example the ascents of the Hinterer Spiegelkogel (3,426m) or the Ramolkogel (3,550m) to the north.
11. Rauhekopfhütte (2,731m), Gepatsch Glacier
The Rauhekopfhütte features among the huts included by the organisation Mountain Wilderness Germany in its guide to remote and hard-to-access huts. The guide praises the hut's "traditional spirit" and back-to-basics facilities. The shower is outside, overlooking the glacier, and is fed by water from precisely the same glacier. There is no one person in charge, as is normally the case at huts in the mountains. Instead there are groups of volunteers who look after the hut. The approach to the hut includes a section across the Gepatsch glacier.
How to get there
From the Gepatschhaus the approach takes 3.5 hours. Hikes require alpine equipment and experience of hiking in glacier terrain.
Hikes in the area
We recommend the high-alpine traverse from the Rauhekopfhütte across to the Brandenburger Haus.
12. Hochstubaihütte (3,173m), Stubai Alps
The approach to the Hochstubaihütte is long and includes a section known as the "Himmelsleiter", literally "Ladder to Heaven". There is the option of shortening the walk up to the hut using a shuttle taxi or the cable car, but even then there is still plenty of hiking to do before you finally get to what is the third-highest hut in Austria.
How to get there
From Gries im Sulztal the approach takes around 7.5 hours. From the top of the cable car at Eisgrat it takes 3.5 hours. From the Windachtal Valley you will need a good 4 hours.
Hikes in the area
We recommend enjoying the sunset from the summit of the Nebelkogel (3,211m). Other huts in the area which can be reached on foot include the Hildesheimerhütte, Siegerlandhütte and Brunnenkogelhütte.
13. Landshuter Europahütte (2,693m), Zillertal Alps
The Landshuter Europahütte enjoys a truly unique location straddling the border between Austria and Italy. Known in Italian as Rifugio Venna alla Gerla, it has a dining room which is half in North Tirol (Austria) and half in South Tirol (Italy).
How to get there
There are several routes from North Tirol to the Landshuter Europahütte, but all of them are relatively long. From Brennersee it takes 4.5 hours to get there, from the Valser Tal Valley it takes 5.5 hours, and from the Schlegeisspeicher reservoir it takes around 4 hours.
Hikes in the area
One of the best hikes leads up to the top of the Kraxentrager (2,998m). Another option is the Peter Habeler Hike, a circular walk around the mighty Olperer mountain stopping at several huts along the way
14. Greizer Hütte (2,227m) and Kasseler Hütte (2,177m), Zillertal Alps
The Greizer Hütte and Kasseler Hütte both enjoy remote locations at the end of long valleys. In both cases you can shorten the approach using a taxi or by completing the first section by mountain bike. The advantage of completing the whole route on foot, however, is having the chance to enjoy the wonderful landscape of the Zillertal Valley Nature Park.
How to get there
The approach to the Greizer Hütte takes 4 hours from Ginzling. The approach to the Kasseler Hütte takes 6 hours from Mayerhofen.
Hike from the Greizer Hütte
We recommend the challenging climb over the Mörchnerscharte ridge to the Berliner Hütte hut, then on to the Gasthof Breitlahner. From there you can take the bus back to Ginzling.
Hike from the Kasseler Hütte
The Siebenschneidenweg trail to the Edelhütte is challenging but worth the effort. Please check the weather forecast before you set off – once you are on the trail there is no option of abandoning the hike and descending into the valley.
15. Vernagthütte (2,755m), Ötztal Alps
If there really are still places in the Alps where nobody has set foot, then a stay at the Vernagthütte is probably a good way to find them. This hut high in the mountains is known as an excellent basecamp for adventures in the glaciated terrain of the Ötztal Alps.
How to get there
From Vent, one of Tirol's official Mountaineering Villages, the approach to the hut takes around 4 hours.
Hikes in the area
One of the easiest 3,000-metre mountains to climb from the Vernagthütte is the Mittlere Guslarspitze (3,128m). There is a steep section with some loose gravel and rocks where you need to be careful, but the view up at the top is well worth the effort.
