Hut to Hut Hiking Austria

Hut to Hut Hiking Austria
Hut to Hut Hiking Austria
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Discover Austria’s most beautiful hut-to-hut hikes—without the hassle of planning routes or huts (even if it’s your first time).

Dreaming of a hut-to-hut hiking adventure in Austria? From the dramatic peaks of the Tyrolean Alps to the rolling ridgelines of SalzburgerLand, Austria is made for multi-day treks. Expect panoramic mountain views, crystal-clear alpine lakes, well-maintained trails, and welcoming mountain huts where you can refuel with hearty local food after a rewarding day on the trail. Whether you’re looking for a three-day escape, a four-day challenge, or a five-day journey, we’ve got the perfect route for you—including options created especially for first-time hut-to-hut hikers and families with children. We are Bookatrekking.com, and we’ll take care of organising your hut-to-hut hiking trip in Austria.

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What is included in your Hut-to-hut trek in Austria?

Balanced itinerary matched to availability
Finding, booking and paying for the huts and refuges
Half board in the huts, so breakfast and dinner for you
Comprehensive hiking guide in the Bookatrekking App with everything you need
Standby hiking advice from our experts

Expert tip

Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Austria: How to Choose the Best Route

In Austria, the perfect hut-to-hut hike isn’t defined by hype—it’s the one that feels right once you’re on the trail. If you’re new to multi-day hiking, start with routes that offer manageable daily stages, straightforward terrain, comfortable huts, and well-marked paths. Looking for a true Austrian classic with big alpine scenery and a satisfying hut-to-hut rhythm? A well-established high trail like the Stubai High Trail is a great place to start. Ready for more of a challenge, with longer ascents and rougher mountain terrain? The Ötztal Alps or the Berlin High Trail deliver a more adventurous experience. And if hiking away from the crowds matters most to you, Austria also has quieter mountain ranges where trails feel more remote and wild. Choose a route that matches what you enjoy and what you’re comfortable with—the views will take care of the rest.
Naida Bonnema – Hut-to-Hut Treks in Austria
Naida Bonnema – Hut-to-Hut Treks in Austria

Austria: Here’s Where to Go

Stubaier Höhenweg: Austria’s Most Famous Trek

If you’re drawn to classic high-alpine hiking, the Stubaier Höhenweg is one of the defining hut-to-hut experiences in Austria. Circling deep above the Stubai Valley, the route weaves together historic mountain huts beneath glaciated peaks like Zuckerhütl, the highest summit in the Stubai Alps. Along the trail, you walk past dramatic cirques and glacier-fed valleys, with repeated views of the Sulzenauferner and Übeltalferner glaciers, and cross high passes where the landscape opens toward the Ötztal Alps on clear days. Many stages stay above 2,000 meters, where alpine meadows give way to rocky terrain and hardy mountain flowers such as edelweiss thrive in summer. Chamois and marmots are often spotted on the quieter sections between huts, especially in the early morning. With options ranging from shorter, family-friendly stages to demanding high-route variants, the Stubaier Höhenweg lets you experience the raw beauty of the Stubai Alps at a pace that matches your comfort and ambition.

Peter Habeler Runde: Austria’s Wilder, Tougher Classic

The Peter Habeler Runde explores one of the wildest corners of the Zillertal Alps, following a high-alpine circuit on the border between Austria and Italy. Named after legendary Austrian mountaineer Peter Habeler, the route winds through remote valleys and across rugged passes beneath sharp granite peaks and long glacier tongues. Along the trail, you hike in the shadow of the Olperer and Hochfeiler massifs, with close-up views of the Schlegeiskees and Waxeggkees glaciers, and far-reaching panoramas over the Zillertal and Pfitsch Valley. Many stages remain above 2,500 meters, where the terrain becomes increasingly raw and alpine, and snowfields can linger well into summer. This high mountain environment is home to ibex and chamois, which are regularly spotted near the passes and on the quieter sections between huts. With variations ranging from compact, demanding traverses to extended versions that include time in the valleys, the Peter Habeler Runde offers a deep immersion into the dramatic, glaciated landscape of the Zillertal Alps.

Salzburger Almenweg: Austria’s Ultimate Alpine Hut-to-Hut Adventure

The Salzburger Almenweg showcases a side of the Austrian Alps shaped by open landscapes, long traditions, and wide mountain views rather than high passes and glaciers. Around the Hochkönig massif, the trail follows sunny slopes and elevated paths beneath the sheer limestone faces of Hochkönig (2,941 m), which dominates the skyline throughout the hike. As the route continues through the Salzburger Sportwelt, it links a mosaic of alpine pastures, forested ridges, and historic mountain farms that have defined this region for centuries. Walking heights typically range from 1,200 to 2,000 meters, where flowering meadows, grazing cattle, and panoramic viewpoints are constant companions. From exposed ridgelines, hikers can look across to the Tennengebirge and, on clear days, as far as the Dachstein massif, highlighting the contrast between Salzburg’s gentle alpine terrain and its dramatic limestone peaks. With flexible stages and a strong connection to alpine culture, the Salzburger Almenweg offers a rewarding long-distance walk rooted in landscape, history, and everyday mountain life.

Adlerweg: The Iconic Eagle Walk Across Tirol

The Adlerweg begins at the edge of Innsbruck, where the city quickly gives way to the steep walls and hidden valleys of the Karwendel Alps. From the first stages, the trail pushes into a landscape defined by pale limestone peaks, deep ravines, and long forested approaches that gradually climb into high, exposed terrain. Large sections run through the Karwendel Nature Park, a protected area known for its vast plateaus and towering rock faces, especially around the Solstein and Pfeis ranges. Higher stages rise above 2,000 meters, where the view stretches across the Inn Valley and toward the Wetterstein and Mieming mountains. The Karwendel’s quiet basins are a stronghold for wildlife, and encounters with ibex, chamois, and golden eagles are a real possibility on the less-traveled sections. With routes ranging from gentle valley paths to demanding ridge walks high above the tree line, the Adlerweg reveals the raw, unpolished side of Tyrol’s mountains in all its variety.

Berliner Höhenweg: A Stunning High Route Through the Zillertal Alps

The Berliner Höhenweg is a classic high-alpine hike in the Zillertal Alps, known for its big mountain views and strong sense of adventure. The trail links a series of traditional huts high above the valleys, with paths that run close to glaciers and beneath some of the region’s most impressive peaks. Along the route, you hike below Hochfeiler and Großer Möseler, and pass near the Schlegeiskees and Waxeggkees glaciers, whose meltwater feeds streams and waterfalls along the trail. Many stages reach heights above 2,500 meters, where the scenery becomes more rugged and wide views open toward South Tyrol. Expect long climbs, high passes, and quiet mountain landscapes where chamois and ibex are often seen. With options ranging from shorter sections to faster, more demanding versions, the Berliner Höhenweg is ideal for hikers looking to experience the dramatic side of the Austrian Alps.

Venediger Höhenweg: A Spectacular High-Altitude Loop in the Austrian Alps

The Venediger Höhenweg is a spectacular hut-to-hut route in East Tyrol that takes you deep into the heart of the Venediger Group, with constant views of towering peaks, glacial landscapes, and remote alpine valleys. It’s a trek for hikers who want a true high-mountain experience, where every day feels like a step further into the wild Austrian Alps. The trail follows exposed ridgelines, rocky mountain paths, and high passes, connecting traditional huts where you can recharge with hearty food and a genuine mountain atmosphere. Expect demanding climbs, rugged terrain, and long days on the move—but also endless panoramic viewpoints and a real sense of achievement. Whether you hike a few stages or complete the entire loop, the Venediger Höhenweg delivers a powerful alpine adventure: raw, challenging, and full of unforgettable scenery.

Venediger Höhenweg: A Spectacular High-Altitude Loop in the Austrian Alps
Venediger Höhenweg: A Spectacular High-Altitude Loop in the Austrian Alps
Kaiserkrone Route: An Epic Circular Trek in the Heart of the Austrian Alps
Kaiserkrone Route: An Epic Circular Trek in the Heart of the Austrian Alps

Kaiserkrone Route: An Epic Circular Trek in the Heart of the Austrian Alps

The Kaiserkrone is a breathtaking hut-to-hut trek in Tyrol that circles the legendary Wilder Kaiser range, keeping you surrounded by dramatic limestone walls, jagged summits, and classic alpine scenery from start to finish. It’s an ideal route for hikers looking for a varied mountain adventure—one that combines big views with a true sense of being immersed in the Alps. Along the way, you’ll follow steep forest trails, rocky climbs, and panoramic mountain paths, crossing high viewpoints and linking welcoming huts where you can rest and enjoy authentic Austrian hospitality. The terrain can be tough and the days are often long, with plenty of elevation gain, but the reward is a constant flow of unforgettable landscapes and that satisfying “earned it” feeling at the end of each stage. Whether you tackle a single section or complete the full circuit, the Kaiserkrone offers an unforgettable experience: rugged, scenic, and packed with classic Wilder Kaiser mountain drama.

What can you expect from the mountain huts in Austria?

Hiking in Austria is all about big alpine days and quiet moments in between: fresh mountain air, sweeping valleys, and trails that climb steadily toward high passes with views that never seem to end. One day you might be walking through green pastures with grazing cows and wooden chalets, and the next you’re zigzagging up to a panoramic ridge in the Hohe Tauern or traversing rocky sections in Tirol with glaciers shining in the distance. Routes like the Venediger Höhenweg offer a true hut-to-hut experience, while iconic trails such as the Adlerweg (Eagle Walk) connect some of the country’s most spectacular mountain regions. Wherever you go, the experience is shaped by Austria’s excellent trail network, its welcoming mountain huts, and that well-earned feeling at the end of the day: boots off, a warm plate of food, and the mountains glowing in the evening light.

Frequently Asked Questions: What do you need to know?

  • Do mountain huts need to be booked in advance?

    Yes. Austria is very popular in summer and mountain huts often sell out weeks or even months in advance, especially in regions like Tirol and the Hohe Tauern, and on classic routes such as the Adlerweg and the Venediger Höhenweg. Booking ahead is essential to secure your overnight stays and avoid changing your plans last minute. With Bookatrekking.com, your huts are booked in advance, including dinner and breakfast, so you can focus on hiking and enjoying the mountains.

  • I don’t have time for a full trek — can I hike in Austria in 3–4 days?

    Yes, and it’s one of the best ways to experience hut-to-hut hiking without taking a full week off. For iconic scenery in a short format, a 3–4 day trek in the Austrian Alps is perfect. If you want a beginner-friendly option, the Venediger Höhenweg (4 days) is a great choice with panoramic views and cozy mountain huts. For something a bit more challenging, you can choose a shorter hut-to-hut route in Tirol or the Hohe Tauern, where you’ll hike over high passes, through alpine valleys, and wake up to incredible mountain views—without needing a full week on the trail.

  • Which Austria hut-to-hut trek is best for beginners?

    If you’re new to hut-to-hut hiking in Austria, look for well-marked T2 trails and routes with steady climbs rather than steep or exposed terrain. Great beginner-friendly options include the Short Adlerweg (3 days), which offers a classic taste of Tirol’s hut-to-hut hiking without being too demanding. The Salzburger Almenweg – Hochkönig (4 days) is another excellent choice, with beautiful alpine meadows, panoramic views, and comfortable stages that are ideal for first-timers. If you’re looking for a slightly longer beginner trek, the Beginner Gesäuse Trek (5 days) is a fantastic next step, combining wild Austrian mountain scenery with manageable trails and a true hut-to-hut experience.

  • What’s the difference between the Adlerweg and the Venediger Höhenweg?

    The Adlerweg is Austria’s most popular and accessible long-distance hut-to-hut route, with well-marked trails, lots of stage options, and plenty of comfortable mountain huts along the way. It’s ideal if you want classic Austrian alpine scenery without the trek feeling too remote or demanding every single day. The Venediger Höhenweg is generally wilder and more mountain-focused: expect a more remote atmosphere, bigger views in the Hohe Tauern region, and more sustained hiking with a stronger “high alpine” feel. If you want iconic hut-to-hut trekking with flexible, manageable stages, choose the Adlerweg. If you’re looking for a more rugged, off-the-beaten-path experience in a true alpine setting, the Venediger Höhenweg is the better match.

  • What’s the best time of year for hut-to-hut trekking in Austria?

    The best time for hut-to-hut trekking in Austria is from late June to early September, when mountain trails are accessible and alpine huts are open. July and August offer the most reliable conditions, especially in higher regions like Tirol and the Hohe Tauern, but they are also the busiest months, so booking ahead is important. Late June and September are quieter alternatives, with cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, though some high passes may still have snow early in the season and huts may start to close toward autumn. Overall, summer provides the ideal window for multi-day hiking in Austria.

Our Top 3 Favorite Hut-to-Hut Hikes in Austria

1) Intermediate Best of Karwendel – 4 days

The Best of Karwendel Trek offers a powerful introduction to one of Austria’s most untouched alpine regions. Over four intermediate-level days, this route takes you deep into the Karwendel Alps, following mountain trails across high passes, through quiet valleys, and beneath striking limestone ridges that give the area its rugged character. It’s ideal for hikers who want a short but authentic alpine adventure away from busier mountain areas.

  • A scenic 4-day trek through the wild Karwendel Alps
  • High mountain passes, remote valleys, and limestone landscapes
  • Perfect for hikers seeking a compact but immersive alpine experience

View Best of Karwendel – 4 days


2)Half Stubaier Höhenweg – 5 days

The Half Stubaier Höhenweg is a classic high-alpine hut-to-hut trek through the dramatic Stubai Alps. In this 5-day version, you hike along panoramic ridgelines and across high mountain passes, surrounded by glaciers, rugged peaks, and expansive alpine views. It’s an excellent option if you want to experience the essence of the Stubaier Höhenweg in a shorter, yet still challenging and scenic format.

  • A high-alpine trek through the Stubai Alps
  • Panoramic ridges, glacier views, and classic mountain huts
  • A shorter but demanding section of the iconic Stubaier Höhenweg

View Half Stubaier Höhenweg – 5 days


3) Peter Habeler Runde – 6 days

The Peter Habeler Runde is a demanding alpine circuit in the Zillertal Alps, named after one of Austria’s most legendary mountaineers. Over six days, this route leads you through high mountain terrain, crossing rugged passes and remote valleys with constant views of sharp ridgelines and alpine peaks. It’s an ideal choice for experienced hikers looking for a challenging hut-to-hut trek with a strong sense of adventure.

  • A challenging alpine circuit in the Zillertal Alps
  • High mountain passes, remote terrain, and dramatic scenery
  • Named after mountaineering legend Peter Habeler

View Peter Habeler Runde – 6 days

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