Hut to Hut Hiking Austria
Hut to Hut Hiking Austria Tours
About Hut to Hut Hiking in Austria
As the country with the largest alpine territory, with nearly 29% of the total alpine area covering its landscape, Austria is your ideal hut-to-hut hiking destination.
Numerous mountain huts command scenic mountain pastures, overlook hidden valleys, hide beneath jagged peaks, and adorn narrow mountain passes. Wherever you might set foot in the Austrian Alps, you will be met with breathtaking views, cozy accommodations, and delicious local cuisine.
Confronted with such a vast area from which one has to choose the right trail, many hikers give up even before starting to plan their Austria hut-to-hut hiking tour.
That is where we come in.
With our years of hiking experience in the Alps, we managed to pluck the best and most scenic Austria hiking tours from the bunch. Any avid hiker should have these on their bucket list!
We will help you coordinate the whole thing so that your sole focus can be hiking and enjoying the scenery.
Here’s how we help you:
- Detailed self-guided itinerary with all the necessary info for a successful hike
- A GPS route + simple-to-use app for easy navigation
- Booking all your accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner at the huts
- Full 24/7 support during your trip
With all the above things taken care of, you can freely strap on your hiking shoes and start collecting unforgettable memories while hut-to-hut hiking in Austria. Check out our chosen tours and decide which one you will undertake next summer.
Discover Austria’s 5 Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes
Are you looking to explore Austria’s scenic trails? Our handpicked list of the best hut-to-hut hikes offers a unique combination of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural experiences. Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, these routes promise an unforgettable journey through Austria’s diverse landscapes.
1. Adlerweg
Known as the “Eagle Walk,” Adlerweg takes you through the heart of the Tyrolean Alps. This iconic trail is perfect for those looking to experience a variety of landscapes, from lush valleys to rugged mountain terrains.
2. Stubai High Trail
Located in the Stubai Alps, this high-altitude trail offers breathtaking views and challenging terrains. It’s an excellent choice for experienced hikers looking to test their limits while enjoying the beauty of the Austrian Alps.
3. Emperor’s Crown Trail
This circular trail around the Wilder Kaiser mountain range is a must-do for any hiking enthusiast. With its stunning panoramas and diverse landscapes, the Emperor’s Crown Trail offers a royal hiking experience.
4. The Glockner Trail
Looping the Grossglockner massif, the Glockner Trail leads past some of the most unforgettable views in the Austrian Alps, including the sight of the Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, and Pasterze Glacier, Austria’s largest glacier.
5. Alpe-Adria-Trail
Starting at Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe, this long-distance hiking trail winds across Austria, crosses the border into Slovenia and its Julian Alps, and finally ends at the Adriatic coast in Italy.
7 Essential Tips for Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Austria
- Check the weather: Always keep an eye on the weather forecast. Afternoon storms are common and can catch you off guard.
- Know the route: Familiarize yourself with the trail map and key landmarks. It’s easy to get lost in the mountains.
- Pack light but smart: Your backpack’s weight matters. However, don’t skimp on essentials like a first-aid kit and a sleeping liner.
- Footwear matters: Opt for sturdy hiking boots that offer ankle support, especially when carrying a heavy backpack.
- Book in advance: Huts can get crowded during the high season. Book your accommodation as early as possible to secure a spot.
- Fitness prep: Prepare yourself physically by hiking regularly. Multi-day tours require stamina and strength.
- Respect the rules: Follow mountain-hut etiquette. For instance, quiet time usually starts at 10 p.m., and indoor shoes are a must.
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Things to know
The hiking season usually lasts from mid-June to late September. It depends on the snow conditions in the higher sections of the Alps, as lots of hiking routes go over high mountain passes. You should check the current situation if you are visiting in early summer, especially for Stubai High Trail, as large parts of the route run above 2000 meters of elevation.
The huts close their doors once the season ends as well, so you cannot plan any multi-day tours outside this time window.
Read more about the hiking season in Austria here.
We’ve rated our tours on a difficulty scale from 1 to 5 — with 1 being the easiest and 5 the most difficult.
The difficulty level of a tour tells you how fit you need to be and how much hiking is involved. Most of our tours are appropriate for people who are regularly active and can hike for about five to seven hours per day.
Technical difficulty means how skilled you need to be to hike on the path. Level 1 means the trail is smooth and wide (like a gravel road), while 5 means the surface is uneven and exposed, and you have to use your hands to help yourself move forward. In practice, that means that the higher the level, the more surefooted and skilled in scrambling you need to be.
You should book your tour as soon as possible, as many accommodations along the trail fill up quickly. That way, you can ensure that you have a place to stay.
In case of an injury, it is best to call the local emergency services. You might find yourself in the wilderness, unable to continue without worsening your situation.
Do not worry too much, though. You will be hiking along popular trails, so you will not get stranded even if something happens.
On the other hand, if you feel too tired to continue hiking, you can always stop in any of the towns and villages along the way and use public transport to get to where you want to be in Austria.
Most huts along our hut-to-hut hikes are equipped with showers, but they might be a matter of whether there has been any rainfall lately. Do not expect too much, as mountain huts are not luxurious hotels.
Read more about the mountain huts here.
No. The huts provide blankets and pillows for comfort. However, you should bring your sleeping liner so they will not have to wash their bed linen every day.
Cell reception is unreliable in the mountains. If you can see a town, you will likely have a reception. The same goes for mountain huts. If you cannot get it inside, try stepping outside. Wifi is available only at select lodges; most do not have it.
If you dress appropriately, most stages can be done even in light rain. However, if a storm is forecasted, do not hike. In that case, you should wait until the storm passes, even if that means spending a day at the hut.
If you’d like to eat a vegetarian meal, it’s usually available at most accommodations. Vegan options are harder to find in huts, but we’ll let you know about them in advance so you can plan accordingly.
Aside from the essentials – hiking shoes, backpack, and sports clothes – you should also not miss some other crucial things you should pack for the hut-to-hut hiking tour.
Check out our extensive list of hiking gear.
We do not demand that you have insurance before booking, but it is advisable to do. Joining the Austrian Alpine Club gets you covered in case anything unexpected happens to you on your way.
Mountain huts are not luxurious, but they are cozy and comfortable. You will not lack a warm bed, delicious meals, and toilets. They offer private rooms and dormitories, so you should be prepared to book enough time in advance if you do not want to share a room with other people.
Read more about the Austrian mountain huts.
