Stubai High Trail: Stages, Huts and Difficulty of the Stubaier Höhenweg

The Stubai High Trail is a circular hut-to-hut route of nearly 80 km around the Stubai valley, linking eight Alpine Club huts from and back to Neustift im Stubaital. The Stubaier Höhenweg is the German name for the same trail; you will also see it written as Stubaier Hohenweg, Stubaier Hoehenweg or Stubai Hohenweg, and some hikers simply call it the Stubai trail. Below are the key facts at a glance.

Each of the eight huts ("Hütte" is the German word for a mountain hut) is managed by a section of the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) or the German Alpine Club (DAV). For example, the Bremer Hütte belongs to the DAV section in Bremen, Germany, and the Innsbrucker Hütte belongs to the ÖAV section in Innsbruck. The Stubai High Trail carries the Tyrolean mountain trail quality seal and is listed as one of the Great Walks Tirol. No glacier crossing is required at any point on the route, which runs through the Stubai Alps quiet area. Waymarking is consistent throughout: red and white paint marks on rocks and posts, with signposts pointing to the next hut.

Where is Stubai and what is it known for?

The Stubai valley branches off south of Innsbruck, towards the Brenner Pass. Neustift im Stubaital is the main village and the gateway for the Stubai High Trail. The valley is known for three things above all: the Stubai Glacier at the head of the valley, the Kalkkögel, a row of sharp limestone peaks sometimes called the "Dolomites of the Stubai"; and the Wild Water Trail (Wilde Wasser Weg) with the Grawa waterfall. Hiking is the main draw in summer; in winter the valley is a ski destination.

Red and white paint marks and signposts to the next hut are the primary navigation system on the Stubai High Trail: you follow the markings from hut to hut without needing to interpret complex terrain. The trail can be walked in both directions; the most common direction starts from the Starkenburger Hütte and ends at the Innsbrucker Hütte.

Carry a paper map at 1:25,000 or 1:50,000 as a backup, particularly for misty days on the higher passes. For current trail conditions, such as snow on the passes or path damage, contact the Alpine Centre in Neustift im Stubaital before you set off.

On our treks, our trekking app gives you the route per day on the map with your own GPS position, the elevation profile, GPX files and offline maps so you can download everything before you leave home. It also holds your booking details, the huts' phone numbers and the emergency numbers for the area. The app shows the current weather forecast for each hut based on that hut's coordinates, which is useful before you commit to a pass crossing on any given morning.

Our full itinerary covers the whole circuit in 9 days and 78.6 km, counting the day from Neustift up to the Starkenburger Hütte and the final descent via the Elfer lifts. The table below uses our product data; walking times follow the official Alpine Club norms.

Days 2, 4 and 8 are the long days, so plan to start early. Days 5, 6 and 7 are short in distance but technically more demanding.

Grawagrubennieder: the highest and hardest pass

Day 4, from the Neue Regensburger Hütte to the Dresdner Hütte, crosses the Grawagrubennieder at approximately 2,881 m, the highest point on the Stubai High Trail. The ascent is steep and partly exposed; early in the season, old snow can cover the upper section, making it slippery and more serious. Start this day early to give yourself time and a margin before any afternoon thunderstorms build. If visibility drops or a storm is developing, the safer choice is to descend to the valley rather than commit to the pass.

The other key technical passages are spread through the second half of the circuit. On day 5, the climb from the Dresdner Hütte to the Peiljoch uses fixed steel cables in places before the descent to the Sulzenau Hütte; from the hut, a short detour reaches the Blaue Lacke, a glacier-fed lake with a vivid turquoise colour. On day 6, past the Grünausee, you choose between the direct scrambling route via the Niederl and the longer path via the Mairspitze; both rejoin shortly before the Nürnberger Hütte, and the second half of the stage includes T4-rated sections. On day 7, the Simmingjöchl (around 2,700 m) involves short secured rock steps but is not a via ferrata. On day 8, the Wasenwand is a narrow traverse across a steep rock face with fixed steel cables: poles go in the bag, both hands free.

The ideal window for the Stubai High Trail runs from early to mid-July through to mid-September. July and August offer the most reliably snow-free conditions on the high passes, but they are also the busiest months; weekdays are noticeably quieter than weekends, and school holiday periods see the huts at their fullest.

In June the huts begin to open, but old snow often remains on the Grawagrubennieder and other high sections, making those stages more committing. Attempting the full circuit before early July means checking conditions carefully with each hut before you set off.

September is worth considering if you prefer a quieter trail. Early snow on the high passes is possible from mid-September onward, and huts begin closing from late September, so the first half of the month is the safer choice.

Mountain weather in the Stubai Alps can change quickly. Afternoon thunderstorms are a common hazard in July and August; the exposed passes and the Wasenwand in particular are dangerous in lightning. Calling the next hut each evening for a forecast and trail report is good practice throughout the route. If a pass is not safe, wait a day at the hut or descend to the valley and rejoin the trail later, and let the next huts know about your change of plan as early as possible. Our trekking app shows the weather forecast for each hut on the route based on that hut's coordinates, so you can check conditions before you leave your sleeping bag each morning.

Our 2027 booking calendar currently offers start dates from late June to mid-September; check the product page for exact availability (as of October 2026).

The full circuit of the Stubai High Trail is not a beginner's trek. The combination of long days, significant elevation, exposed passes and T4 sections on the second half demands real mountain experience. That said, the shorter routes give you a genuine taste of the Stubaier Höhenweg with far less daily distance.

For walking with children, here is the advice of Michael Gstrein of the Stubai Tirol tourism association:

"Children should already have some experience in the mountains, such as surefootedness and good condition - sometimes the stages are several kilometers long with some meters of altitude and can also take several hours - and, of course, bring good equipment. Especially shoes are important, even for the little ones."

For a broader look at what to expect before your first time in the huts, see our tips for your first hut-to-hut hike in Austria.

Stubai High Trail in 5 days

Yes, you can hike the southern half of the Stubai High Trail in 5 days. Our Half Stubaier Höhenweg starts from the valley, follows the Wild Water Trail past the Grawa waterfall to the Sulzenau Hütte (5.8 km, +650 m), then continues to the Nürnberger Hütte, Bremer Hütte and Innsbrucker Hütte before descending via the Elfer lifts to Neustift. Total distance is 35.3 km over 5 days; the longest day is 10.4 km. This half includes the Wasenwand and the T4 sections, so it is not an easy route, but the daily distances are manageable. If you prefer to add a guesthouse night in Neustift before and after, our 7-day Half Stubaier Höhenweg with accommodation arranges that for you.

Stubai Alps hut to hut in 3 or 4 days

Three and four-day options cover a smaller stretch of the Stubai High Trail but are still fully rewarding.

Our Short Stubaier Höhenweg is 3 days and 13.6 km: bus 590 to the Mutterbergalm, a 3.0 km ascent to the Dresdner Hütte (+540 m, about 2 hours), then over the Peiljoch to the Sulzenau Hütte (5.2 km, +410 m) and down the Wild Water Trail to the bus stop (5.4 km). Daily distances are gentle, but the Peiljoch section includes exposed cables. We recommend this option for families with children aged 8 and over who already have mountain experience. The Short Stubaier Höhenweg with accommodation adds two guesthouse nights in Neustift.

Our Advanced Stubaier Höhenweg is 4 days and 41.6 km, starting from the Grawa Alm up to the Nürnberger Hütte (10.6 km, +1,250 m) and finishing with a long descent from the Innsbrucker Hütte on foot to Neustift (14.8 km, −1,800 m). A solid choice for fit hikers who want the southern half of the circuit with real mileage.

The Hardcore Stubaier Höhenweg packs 39.4 km into 3 days, with a day-2 stage of 17.7 km and +1,240 m from the Neue Regensburger Hütte to the Sulzenau Hütte (around 10 hours of walking). For very fit, experienced mountain walkers only.

Our Stubai High Trail treks

Prices are for the 2027 season, as of October 2026. All treks come with a start date of your choice and free cancellation up to eight weeks before departure. For the whole circuit, see the Full Stubaier Höhenweg. Versions with a guesthouse in Neustift before and after: Full with accommodation, 11 days and Short with accommodation, 5 days.

For an easier first hut trek elsewhere in Austria, see the most beautiful hut-to-hut hikes in Austria for beginners or the Venediger Höhenweg.

The Stubai High Trail is a difficult (black) mountain trail, rated roughly T3 to T4 on the SAC hiking scale. It requires good fitness, sure-footedness and a head for heights, but no climbing gear and no glacier skills.

Fitness. Walking times on the full circuit range from about 3 hours on a short day to 7.5 hours on the Neue Regensburger to Dresdner Hütte stage. The first day from Neustift to the Starkenburger Hütte gains 1,230 m in 5.7 km. Cumulative effort over 9 days is significant: prepare with long day walks carrying a loaded pack before you come, including steep ascents and descents; our tips for your first hut-to-hut hike in Austria cover preparation in more detail.

Technique. Fixed steel cables assist on the climb to the Peiljoch (day 5) and on the Wasenwand (day 8); the Niederl route (day 6) involves scrambling and the Simmingjöchl (day 7) has short secured rock steps. There are short scrambles where you stow your poles and use both hands. Gloves are useful on the cables; a light helmet is worth considering if exposed rock makes you nervous. This is not a via ferrata and you need no harness or via ferrata kit.

Head for heights. Exposed paths occur throughout the second half of the circuit, most notably on the Wasenwand traverse on day 8. The combination of exposure and technical ground on the Sulzenau to Nürnberger stage can catch people off guard despite the short distance.

Snow and weather. Old snow can lie on the Grawagrubennieder and between the Bremer and Innsbrucker huts early in the season; local sources then recommend microspikes (light clip-on traction devices). Afternoon thunderstorms are a serious hazard on exposed ground; if one is building, get to the next hut or descend.

Experience. Do a shorter, less demanding hut trek before attempting the full circuit. See the SAC hiking scale explained for a clear breakdown of what each grade means in practice.

Earlier in this blog post, Michael Gstrein from the Stubai Tirol Tourism Association already shared some tips for hiking the Stubaier Höhenweg with children. Of course, Michael has much more to say, so we gave him the microphone.

Michael, what is is your favorite hut on the Stubaier Höhenweg?

"The huts on the Stubaier Höhenweg are all so beautifully situated and unique that it's really hard for me to choose one as a 'favorite hut.' They are all special, and each hut has its own charm and appeal."

What is your favorite food during multi-day hiking?

"Typical for the huts on the Stubaier Höhenweg, as well as in the Stubai region in general, is that they offer hearty, savory, and sweet dishes that provide energy for the next hike. Highly recommended are the various dumpling variations, such as bacon, cheese, or spinach dumplings, which are served with either soup or salad. And, of course, what should never be missing from any meal is a warm, sweet-smelling Kaiserschmarrn with applesauce or plum compote."

And do you get a beer at every hut on the trail?

"On every hut on the Stubaier Höhenweg, there is, of course, a cold beer to drink."

How many times have you been on the Stubaier Höhenweg?

"Every summer, my wife and I hike one stage of the Stubaier Höhenweg. In the summer of 2020, we tackled our last stage and went through the entire trail for the first time."

Do you prefer the Stubai Valley in winter or summer?

"The Stubai Valley has something to offer all year round. It's an active pleasure destination that has something for every type and age. With its four ski and hiking areas (Stubaier Glacier, Schlick 2000, Serlesbahnen Mieders, Elferbahnen Neustift) and the many attractions in the valley, it's easy to engage in nature and the mountains every day."

Which of the Seven Summits have you already climbed?

"I still need to climb Zuckerhütl, the highest peak of the Seven Summits. Otherwise, I have been to all the others at least once."

The most straightforward route is by train to Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof, then bus 590 directly to Neustift im Stubaital, a journey of around 50 minutes. You can fly to Innsbruck, or to Munich and continue by train to Innsbruck.

Bus 590 continues beyond Neustift up the valley to the Mutterbergalm, the valley station for the Stubai Glacier and the trailhead for the Dresdner Hütte. If you are starting partway along the circuit, this extension is useful.

By car, leave the Brenner motorway (A13) south of Innsbruck at the Stubaital exit. Parking in Neustift fills up quickly in high season; arriving on a weekday or early in the morning helps.

At the end of the circuit, the final descent is via the Elferbahn (Elfer lifts) from its top station down to Neustift. The last descent of the Elferbahn is at 5 pm, except on Wednesdays when the lift runs longer. Tickets can be paid in cash or by card. Buses and lifts are not included in our treks.

If you have extra days around Innsbruck, the Adlerweg is another long-distance trail in Tyrol worth considering.

The Stubai High Trail has eight Alpine Club huts, each booked individually, normally with half board (dinner and breakfast included). You reserve them directly or let us handle every booking for you.

When booking yourself, contact each hut or use the online reservation system run by the Austrian and German Alpine Clubs. Check each hut's specific cancellation terms before you confirm: huts vary, and if you drop out on the trail you should cancel your remaining nights immediately so the places go to other hikers. Half board is the standard option and the most practical: dinner and breakfast are provided, and the hut keeper can plan supplies accordingly. Dormitory beds (Matratzenlager) are the most affordable option; private and shared rooms cost more and may need to be requested in advance. Members of the ÖAV or DAV receive a discount on the overnight fee, which can make membership worthwhile for the full circuit.

Franz Senn Hut, Sulzenau Hütte and the other huts

Here are the eight huts in the usual direction, each with one practical detail:

1. Starkenburger Hütte: the first night, after the 1,230 m climb from Neustift.
2. Franz-Senn-Hütte: the end of the long day 2 past the Kalkkögel.
3. Neue Regensburger Hütte: the start of day 4 over the Grawagrubennieder.
4. Dresdner Hütte: reached in about 2 hours from the Mutterbergalm bus stop, a convenient entry point for hikers joining partway.
5. Sulzenau Hütte: an excellent base for a short detour to the Blaue Lacke, a turquoise glacier-melt lake on the Wild Water Trail.
6. Nürnberger Hütte: the hut after the Grünausee and the T4 sections; many hikers name the approach to it as the most rewarding stretch.
7. Bremer Hütte: the one hut on the circuit without direct access from the valley; you must arrive and leave via the high trail.
8. Innsbrucker Hütte: the last night before the Elfer lifts, a fitting end to the circuit.

What to carry and budget for. Alpine Club huts ask you to bring a hut sleeping bag; most huts provide blankets, so a lightweight liner is usually enough. Carry enough cash for lunch, snacks and drinks; showers, where available, often cost extra. A detailed packing checklist is in our hut-to-hut hiking packing list.

Booking through us. All our treks include the huts booked for you, half board in the huts, a stage-by-stage route description with trailhead directions, and the trekking app with your route, GPS position, elevation profiles, GPX files, offline maps, booking details, hut phone numbers and emergency contacts. Beds are in dormitories by default; on request and subject to availability, a shared room costs 12.50 euros extra per person per night, and a private room costs 50 euros extra per room per night (2027 season, as of October 2026). Travel to Neustift, buses, lifts, lunch, drinks, showers and travel insurance are not included. Free cancellation is available up to eight weeks before your start date.

Food and dietary needs. Hut dinners are hearty Tyrolean food. On our treks you share any dietary requirements after booking in your personal portal, and we pass them on to the huts. Vegetarian options are usually possible; other needs, such as allergies or gluten or lactose intolerance, depend on what each hut can offer, so they cannot be guaranteed on every night.

The Half Stubaier Höhenweg starts from 575 euros per person (two people travelling together, 2027 season); the Full Stubaier Höhenweg starts from 1,035 euros per person.

How difficult is the Stubai High Trail?

The Stubai High Trail is a difficult (black) mountain trail, roughly T3 to T4 on the SAC hiking scale. It involves exposed sections with fixed steel cables, long days with significant elevation, and the Grawagrubennieder crossing at approximately 2,881 m. No climbing gear or glacier skills are required, but fitness, sure-footedness and a head for heights are essential. The full circuit is not suitable for inexperienced hikers.

Is the Stubai High Trail dangerous?

In good weather, and for prepared hikers who are sure-footed and comfortable with heights, the Stubai High Trail is a well-managed route with consistent waymarking. Risk increases significantly with wet rock, afternoon thunderstorms, or early-season snow on the high passes. The standard advice is to call the next hut for a weather and conditions report before crossing any major pass; if conditions are poor, turn back or descend to the valley.

Do you need a head for heights on the Stubai High Trail?

Yes. Several sections require comfort on exposed terrain, particularly the second half of the Sulzenau to Nürnberger Hütte stage, the Simmingjöchl approach on day 7, and the Wasenwand, a narrow traverse across a steep rock face with fixed steel cables on day 8. On these sections, poles go in the pack and both hands are used for stability.

Is the Stubai High Trail suitable for beginners?

Not the full circuit. Beginners with good fitness and some mountain walking experience can start with the Short Stubaier Höhenweg (3 days, 13.6 km, via the Dresdner and Sulzenau Hütte) or with another first hut trek in Austria before committing to the complete loop. We recommend the short version for children aged 8 and over who already have mountain experience.

Is it possible to hike the Stubai High Trail in 5 days?

Yes. The southern half of the Stubai High Trail covers 35.3 km in 5 days: starting from the valley to the Sulzenau Hütte, then on to the Nürnberger Hütte, Bremer Hütte and Innsbrucker Hütte before descending by the Elfer lifts to Neustift. The longest day is 10.4 km. This half includes the Wasenwand and T4-rated terrain, so it is not a gentle option, but it is achievable for fit hikers with mountain experience.

Which stage of the Stubai High Trail is the most beautiful?

Many hikers name the stage from the Sulzenau Hütte to the Nürnberger Hütte as the highlight of the circuit, passing the Grünausee and offering a choice between the Niederl scramble and the Mairspitze traverse. The section called "paradise" in the approach to the Bremer Hütte on day 7 is another stretch that hikers consistently mention; the glacially shaped landscape there is unlike anything else on the route.

What is the highest point on the Stubai High Trail?

The highest point is the Grawagrubennieder, at approximately 2,881 m, crossed on day 4 between the Neue Regensburger Hütte and the Dresdner Hütte. It is also the most demanding pass on the circuit: a steep and partly exposed ascent where old snow can linger into July. Starting early and checking conditions with the hut the night before is strongly recommended.

Where does the Stubai High Trail start?

The Stubai High Trail starts and ends in Neustift im Stubaital. In the most common direction, the first day climbs from Neustift to the Starkenburger Hütte (5.7 km, +1,230 m). The trail can also be walked in the opposite direction. Several huts have their own access path from the valley and can be used as entry points, but the Bremer Hütte has no direct valley access and can only be reached from the high trail.

Do you need to book the Stubai High Trail huts in advance?

Yes, every hut should be reserved before you arrive, particularly for July and August weekends and school holiday periods. Huts cannot guarantee a bed without a prior reservation. Check each hut's individual cancellation conditions; if your plans change on the trail, cancel remaining nights promptly so other hikers can take the space. On our treks we take care of all hut reservations for you.