Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Austria: 8 of the Most Beautiful Routes

Would you like to experience a truly special outdoor adventure? Then grab your rucksack, put on your hiking boots and get ready to set off. Hut-to-hut hikes in Austria take you through spectacular natural scenery, from one mountain hut to the next, with magnificent views along the way. Here are eight of Austria’s most beautiful hut-to-hut routes that you should not miss.

Hiking from hut to hut is a wonderful adventure that allows you to experience the mountains at their most authentic. You not only spend your days exploring the alpine landscape but can also stay overnight in traditional mountain huts and enjoy cosy evenings along the way.

Here are eight multi-day hut-to-hut hikes in Austria, ranging from easy to challenging:

1. Via Paradiso
2. Salzburger Almenweg
3. Pitztal Tour
4. Kaiserkrone
5. Venediger High Trail
6. Verwall Circuit
7. Stubai High Trail
8. Berlin High Trail

Does spending four relaxing days walking around a picturesque, sparkling lake sound appealing? Then the Via Paradiso in Carinthia could be perfect for you. Lake Millstatt is surrounded by the hills and mountains of the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve, Millstätter Alpe, Goldeck and Mirnock.

The long-distance trail is suitable for children aged 10 and over, making it a good choice for families.

• Starting point: Döbriach
• Finishing point: Ferndorf
• Duration: 4 days
• Distance: 55 kilometres
• Total ascent: 1,900 metres
• Best time to hike: early May to early November
• Difficulty: easy

The Salzburger Almenweg is ideal if you would like to leave everyday life behind for a while. Along the way, you will encounter beautiful scenery ranging from tranquil lakes to striking mountain peaks.

The difficulty varies considerably across its 25 stages. Many stages, including stages 6 and 9, are suitable for families with children, while others, particularly from stage 22 onwards, are better suited to experienced hikers.

• Starting and finishing point: Werfen
• Duration: 25 days
• Distance: 358.7 kilometres
• Total ascent: 20,158 metres
• Best time to hike: mid-June to late September
• Difficulty: easy to moderate

Does a relaxed yet impressive four-day hut-to-hut hike with a true high-mountain atmosphere sound good to you? Then the Pitztal Tour is an excellent choice. Throughout the route, you are surrounded by the magnificent scenery of Pitztal Glacier, yet no previous alpine experience is required.

The trail takes you past several of the mountain huts in the Pitztal, from Taschachhaus at 2,434 metres via Rifflseehütte at 2,293 metres to Kaunergrathütte at 2,817 metres. Along the way, you will enjoy wonderful views of the glacial landscape.

• Starting point: Mandarfen in the Pitztal, at the Rifflseebahn valley station
• Finishing point: Plangeroß in the Pitztal
• Duration: 4 days
• Distance: 34.8 kilometres
• Total ascent: 2,500 metres
• Best time to hike: July to September
• Difficulty: moderate

Would you like to stay in the area a little longer? Discover more useful information about hiking in the Pitztal. While you are here, make sure you also visit Austria’s highest coffee house, Café 3.440.

The Kaiserkrone circuit around the Wilder Kaiser in Tyrol is a particularly memorable route. From the very first steps, you are surrounded by mighty rock faces and distinctive mountain formations.

The tour is not excessively difficult, although sure-footedness is required on some sections. There are numerous places to stay along the route, but booking your accommodation in advance is still strongly recommended.

• Starting and finishing point: Aschingerkapelle, Going
• Duration: 5 days
• Distance: 65 kilometres
• Total ascent: 5,000 metres
• Best time to hike: June to mid-October
• Difficulty: moderate

Another route that should not be missed is the Venediger High Trail in East Tyrol. The magnificent views of the Großvenediger, sometimes known as the “Majestic One”, are simply breathtaking.

This hut-to-hut hike is demanding, so a good level of physical fitness is essential.

The huts along the route are:

Essener-Rostocker Hütte (2,208 metres), Johannishütte (2,121 metres), Neue Sajathütte (2,575 metres), Eisseehütte (2,521 metres), Bonn-Matreier Hütte (2,750 metres), Schmiedleralm (2,085 metres), Nillijochhütte (1,990 metres) and Stabanthütte (1,777 metres).

• Starting point: Ströden car park
• Finishing point: Matreier Tauernhaus
• Duration: 7 days
• Distance: 56.8 kilometres
• Total ascent: 3,614 metres
• Best time to hike: July to September
• Difficulty: moderate

The Verwall Circuit in the Central Eastern Alps of Vorarlberg and Tyrol is ideal for anyone looking for peace, solitude and unspoilt mountain scenery, as it is generally less busy than many other long-distance trails.

The route offers several possible variations. In addition to the standard moderately difficult circuit, there are also more challenging sections and opportunities to climb mountain summits.

The classic Verwall Circuit passes the following huts:

Kaltenberghütte (2,089 metres), Konstanzer Hütte (1,688 metres), Heilbronner Hütte (2,320 metres), Friedrichshafener Hütte (2,138 metres) and Darmstädter Hütte (2,348 metres).

• Starting point: St. Christoph am Arlberg
• Finishing point: St. Anton am Arlberg
• Duration: 6 days
• Distance: 67.4 kilometres
• Total ascent: 5,621 metres
• Best time to hike: June to September
• Difficulty: moderate

The Stubai High Trail is undoubtedly one of Austria’s most beautiful but also most challenging hut-to-hut hikes. One of its special features is the continuous view of the surrounding glaciated peaks above 3,000 metres, including the Habicht.

The long-distance route leads from hut to hut in seven stages. It can also be divided into shorter sections, as almost every hut has a route leading back down into the valley.

The huts along the route are:

Starkenburger Hütte (2,237 metres), Franz-Senn-Hütte (2,147 metres), Neue Regensburger Hütte (2,286 metres), Dresdner Hütte (2,308 metres), Sulzenau Hütte (2,191 metres), Nürnberger Hütte (2,278 metres), Bremer Hütte (2,413 metres) and Innsbrucker Hütte (2,369 metres).

• Starting and finishing point: Neustift im Stubaital
• Duration: 7 days
• Distance: 78 kilometres
• Total ascent: 5,081 metres
• Best time to hike: mid-June to early October
• Difficulty: moderate to difficult

The Berlin High Trail leads through the heart of the Zillertal Alps and is therefore also frequently referred to as the Zillertal Circuit. This alpine hike offers fantastic views of the surrounding mountain landscape.

One particular highlight is the Berliner Hütte. With its impressive historic interior, it is a true architectural gem in the heart of the mountains. You do not have to complete the entire tour, as routes lead back into the valley from every hut.

The huts along the route are:

Gamshütte (1,921 metres), Friesenberghaus (2,498 metres), Furtschaglhaus (2,295 metres), Berliner Hütte (2,044 metres), Greizer Hütte (2,227 metres), Kasseler Hütte (2,177 metres) and Karl-von-Edel-Hütte (2,238 metres).

• Starting point: Finkenberg or Gamshütte
• Finishing point: Mayrhofen or Kasseler Hütte
• Duration: 8 days
• Distance: 85.5 kilometres
• Total ascent: 6,605 metres
• Best time to hike: July to September
• Difficulty: difficult

Are you ready to go hiking in Austria, with your route chosen and your rucksack packed? These practical tips will help you prepare for a safe and enjoyable outdoor adventure.

Some mountain huts are so popular that they can be fully booked several months in advance. Hut wardens may also be unable to accommodate guests who have not made a reservation.

It is therefore important to reserve your sleeping place well in advance. Otherwise, you may have to descend into the valley, find another suitable place to stay or continue to the next hut.

Wearing several layers is one of the best ways to prepare for changing conditions in the mountains. You can remove a layer when you become too warm and put it back on when the temperature drops.

Wear a base layer directly against your skin, ideally a suitable T-shirt. Add a mid-layer such as a fleece or lightweight down jacket, followed by a windproof and waterproof outer shell. Waterproof trousers can also be worn over your hiking trousers when required.

It is essential to carry nutritious snacks and enough water. Staying hydrated is particularly important when hiking, as your body loses considerable fluid through perspiration.

Energy bars, bananas and trail mix are practical snacks for your rucksack.

As a general rule, do not be too economical with food and water. Running out of energy or drinking water during a long mountain stage can quickly become a serious problem.

Before setting off on a multi-day hike, make sure you have properly broken in your hiking boots. The best way to do this is by wearing them on several day hikes in advance.

This not only prepares your footwear but also allows you to build up the fitness required for your planned tour.

Trail markings are not always completely clear, so you should also be able to navigate independently. A hiking app can help you find your way if you are unsure of the route.

Many apps can also record the distance covered and the metres climbed. Nevertheless, you should not rely solely on your phone and should carry an appropriate map or alternative means of navigation.

A hut-to-hut hike in Austria is a dream come true for mountain lovers. With routes available at every level of difficulty, there is sure to be a suitable tour for you.

Look forward to sparkling mountain lakes, gentle alpine meadows and dramatic rocky landscapes.

Image credits: © babsi_w – stock.adobe.com (Via Paradiso); © Merijn – stock.adobe.com (Salzburger Almenweg); © JRG – stock.adobe.com (Wilder Kaiser); © Ralf – stock.adobe.com (Venediger Höhenweg); © Ilhan Balta – stock.adobe.com (Verwallrunde); © Sedaris – stock.adobe.com (Stubaier Höhenweg); © Martin Krake – stock.adobe.com (Berliner Höhenweg)