FAQ

What is a mountain hut in Austria?

If you want to experience the wildest of the alps then you need to seek out a mountain hut (Hütte).

A proper hut is a basic shelter that provides a refuge from the elements in the mountains overnight. They vary from small wooden shacks to large, fully-equipped buildings with dozens of beds.

Historically, you have the alpine pasture huts (Almhütten) which were used as basic shelters for farmers and herdsmen who had to herd their livestock to high-altitude pastures in summer. Many are still used this way, and some also serve food and drinks to passing hikers. Then you have the mountain huts in the refuge sense (Schutzhütten), which were built from the late 19th century and maintained by organisations like the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV), the Naturfreunde, and more, to provide mountaineers a safe space to rest overnight on long routes. The latter is our focus.

These days, mountain huts in Austria are mostly modernised and can be categorised into one of the following four levels of operation:

1. Fully catered huts (Bewirtschaftete Schutzhütten): staffed with a resident hut keeper (Hüttenwirt) during the season, serving hot meals and drinks.
2. Partially-attended huts (Bewartete Hütten): looked after by a warden, often only at weekends or in peak season, with basic provisions such as simple snacks and drinks.
3. Self-catering huts (Selbstversorgerhütten): unstaffed, with no food or drinks for sale, but usually equipped with a stove to cook your own meals. Many are locked and require a key from the alpine club section that runs them, so check access beforehand.
4. Unattended emergency huts (Biwakschachteln): no staff, running water, nor amenities. Strictly for emergency overnight shelter (not covered on this website).

Spending a night (or more) in a remote yet homely shelter in the mountains after a long day of strenuous hiking is something that you’ll never forget. That and waking up to a warm cup of tea in the fresh alpine air. That’s why this website aims to help you find the perfect refuge for your next hike.

Depending on your preferences, some huts also offer different room types; dormitories (Matratzenlager), shared rooms (Mehrbettzimmer), and private rooms. Note: although private rooms are offered, a hut is not a hotel and you should leave the room as tidy as you found it. Most huts require you to bring your own hut sleeping sack (Hüttenschlafsack; a thin liner used with the blankets the hut provides) as well.

More info and FAQs to come. Stay tuned!