3 mountain huts between innovation and tradition
Today we would like to present to you 3 mountain huts in South Tyrol, which do not exactly correspond to the more traditional image of an alpine hut. For us, these buildings are successful examples of courageous architecture in the mountains, but at the same time great examples of sustainability.
From the outside, the buildings impress with their modern design and colours in harmony with their surroundings. Inside, they offer a cosy atmosphere with lots of light wood and more comfort than the huts that preceded them. To get to each of these huts, there is a bit of a trek. Depending on the refuge, there are several possible routes of varying lengths, but you will still need between three and five hours of walking. You will be rewarded for your effort on arrival: by the excellent South Tyrolean cuisine and the cosy rooms from which you can admire fantastic views. If you want to spend the night in the hut, please don't forget your sleeping bag and towel! There are shared bathrooms with toilets and washbasins, and with a shower token you can even enjoy a quick hot shower. Are you tempted to climb to the summit after your rest at the hut? If so, in addition to surefootedness, a head for heights and a good level of fitness, you will also need some glacier equipment.
Stettiner Hütte, the refuge blends harmoniously into the landscape.
Stettiner HütteStettinerhütte
Stettinerhütte hut, is located at 2,875 metres above sea level between the Pfelders and Pfossental , in the Texel Group Nature Park, on the border with Austria, just below theEisjöchl. The first hut built here dates back to the end of the 19th century; over the years it has been extended and rebuilt several times due to avalanches that completely destroyed it.
But it was in the summer of 2020 that construction began on the new hut as we see it today, designed by Andrea Fregoni and Roberto Pauro of the Area Architetti Associati architecture studio, which will be completed in July 2022 with the new opening.
View of the Stettiner Hut and the beautiful views surrounding it.
Stettiner HütteToday, the hut is spread over five floors and can accommodate up to 70 people in the 10 rooms spread over two floors that can accommodate between 4 and 12 people. On the ground floor is a beautiful dining room with seating for 92, which offers splendid views thanks to the large windows. The special shape of the building is a response to safety requirements, so as to minimise resistance in the event of avalanches.
You can reach the hut from Pfossental or Pfelders via well-marked hiking trails in around 4 hours. Experienced mountaineers can continue from the hut via the Hans-Grützmacher path up to the Hohe Wilde (3,480 m) or via the Willy-Ahrens path to the Hohe Weiße (3,279 m). The Stettiner Hütte has been run by the Schwarz family for more than 35 years. In 2024, the hut is open from 1 July to September.
The light wood bar and dining room of the Schwarzensteinhütte.
Margit Ainhauser
Schwarzensteinhütte almost seems to touch the clouds and towers over the entire Aurina Valley.
IDM Südtirol-Alto Adige/Harald Wisthaler
A view with a very special light at the Schwarzensteinhütte
Alfred Stolzlechner
Across Rotbachtal Valley and via Schwarzenstein hut path, you can get to the peak of Mt. Schwarzenstein (3.369 m).
Tourismusverein AhrntalSchwarzensteinhütte
The Schwarzensteinhütte mountain hut, located at 3,026 m, is the highest mountain hut in the Zillertal Alps and a popular starting point for mountaineers about to climb peaks such as Sasso Nero (3,369 m) or Monte Lovello (3,378 m). Cima di Flòite Ovest (3,195 m) and Große Mörchner (3,285 m) are lesser known but equally interesting destinations. The new building designed by the architecture firm Stifter + Bachmann was opened in 2018.
Margit Ainhauser manages the Schwarzensteinhütte, which offers sleeping accommodation for a total of 50 people in four 2-bed rooms, one 4-bed room, three 6-bed rooms and two 10-bed rooms. From St. Johann in Tauferer Ahrntal, it is possible to reach the hut in 4.5 hours through the Rothbach Valley or in 5.5 hours through the Trippbach Valley. This year, the Schwarzensteinhütte hut will open its doors on 22 June and remain open until 21 September (weather permitting).
A wonderful starry sky over the Schwarzensteinhütte
Stefan Thaler
Edelrauthütte in the Zillertal Alps in the Ahrntal Valley.
Valle AurinaEdelrauthütte
The Edelrauthütte, too, is located in the Zillertal Alps, in the municipality of Mühlwald, at an altitude of 2,545 m, just above the Eisbrugg Lake, and is an important stop on the Pfunders High Route. The hut was completed in 2016 and is the work of MoDus Architects. The hut offers 70 beds, 12 of which are in a small dormitory and the rest divided into 4-, 6- and 8-bed rooms. Even the restaurant will not disappoint you. At breakfast, lunch and dinner, excellent traditional dishes made with local products are served, and if there is no more room in the restaurant, the restaurant also makes tasty picnic boxes on the surrounding meadows! The Edelrauthütte is managed by Michael (Much) Weissteiner and is open from 7 June to 13 October 2024.
The shortest approach is from the Neves reservoir/Lappach: It takes about 2.5 hours. It takes around 3 hours to hike to the Edelrauthütte if you start from Dun/Pfunders. Another alternative route leads from Zösen/Lappach via the Napfspitze (2,888) to the hut and is somewhat exposed in places in the last section. In addition to the Hochfeiler (3,510 m), the highest mountain in the Zillertal Alps, Hoher Weißzint (3,371 m) and Großer Möseler (3,479 m) are popular destinations for summit tours that mountaineers can start from the Edelrauthütte.
