Stubaier Höhenweg

This special blog is finally here, where we've gathered some of your favorite memories. We've received hundreds (if not thousands) of your photos, and believe me, it's been quite challenging to decide which ones to share with you in this post. In this blog, you'll find the best of the best, a mix of the finest views captured by our hikers, their favorite spots to rest (and enjoy a well-deserved cold beer), the obstacles they've overcome on the journey, the shelters where they've slept comfortably at night, how the route looks in different seasons, and much more. If you've sent us your photos but they didn't make it to this blog, don't worry! There will be many more opportunities, so stay tuned and wait for the next edition. I warn you, if you keep reading this, you'll have an irresistible urge to pack your backpack and embark on the adventure. That's coming from me, writing this from the offices of Bookatrekking.com (and even though it's very nice here), what I wouldn't give for a getaway to the Balkans or an adventure in the Chilean Patagonia or an expedition in Nepal or an ascent to the roof of Africa... Well, well, I'll stop now! So, stay with me if you want to feel a little envy, it'll be worth it!

The Stubai High Trail is perhaps the most beautiful hike in Austria. Discover this stunning path that circumvents the entire Stubai Valley. You can choose to complete the entire circuit or take it easy with the kids and do only three or four days. On the Stubai High Trail, you can stay in the friendliest huts you can find in the Austrian Alps. An unforgettable hiking vacation in Austria awaits you. Read our blog post, check out the stages, get information about the huts, weather, and difficulty, find a map, get tips from Michael Gstrein, and make the most of your time. The beauty of the Stubaier Höhenweg is that it doesn't have to be hiked all at once. It can, of course, be tackled in stages. The unique feature of the Stubaier Höhenweg is that there are ascent and descent options to and from each hut. With a good network of public buses, you can easily reach the ascents to the huts on the high-altitude trail. After the descent, you can effortlessly return to the starting point using public transportation. This makes the Stubaier Höhenweg suitable not only for mountain goats but also for families with young goats.

The Best Hut-to-Hut Hikes in Austria for Beginners | 5 Easy Routes :root { --bg: #ffffff; --text: #0f172a; /* slate-900 */ --muted: #475569; /* slate-600 */ --accent: #0ea5e9; /* sky-500 */ --accent-dark: #0369a1; /* sky-700 */ --border: #e2e8f0; /* slate-200 */ } html, body { height: 100%; } body { margin: 0; background: var(--bg); color: var(--text); font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, Helvetica, Arial; line-height: 1.65; } .container { max-width: 980px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 24px; } header .eyebrow { color: var(--muted); font-size: .95rem; margin-bottom: 6px; } h1 { font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 2.2vw + 1rem, 2.6rem); line-height: 1.2; margin: .2em 0 .5em; } h2 { font-size: clamp(1.35rem, 1.2vw + 1rem, 1.6rem); margin-top: 2rem; } h3 { font-size: 1.1rem; margin-top: 1.2rem; } p { margin: .6rem 0; } a { color: var(--accent-dark); text-decoration: underline; text-underline-offset: 2px; } a:hover { color: var(--accent); } .lede { font-size: 1.05rem; } /* Responsive comparison table */ .table-responsive { border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 12px; overflow: hidden; margin: 14px 0 22px; } .table-scroll { overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch; } table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 760px; } caption { text-align: left; padding: 12px 14px; font-weight: 600; background: #f8fafc; color: #334155; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); } th, td { padding: 12px 14px; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--border); vertical-align: top; } th { text-align: left; background: #f9fafb; } tr:last-child td { border-bottom: none; } /* Info cards */ .card { background: #f9fafb; border: 1px solid var(--border); border-radius: 12px; padding: 12px 14px; } @media (max-width: 640px) { .container { padding: 18px; } th, td { padding: 10px 12px; } } Inspiration · For beginners The best hut-to-hut hikes in Austria for beginners: 5 routes you should know Austria is a paradise if you want to do your first hut-to-hut hike. The country offers an excellent hut network, clear waymarking, and routes that range from easy to challenging. For beginners, that means panoramic views, comfortable huts, and well-maintained trails without technical obstacles. Below you’ll find five of the most beautiful and accessible hut-to-hut hikes in Austria. Comparison of the best beginner routes Compare and choose your first hut-to-hut hike Hut-to-hut hike (easy & beginner) Region Duration Daily distance Elevation gain Highlights for beginners Venediger Höhenweg East Tyrol 4 days 10–15 km 500–1,000 m/day Easy stages, views of the Großvenediger, mountain lakes Salzburger Almenweg – Hochkönig Salzburg region 4 days 10–15 km approx. 2,300 m total Green alpine meadows, easy trails, Schneebergkreuz, hut/hotel mix Montafon Fun Trek Vorarlberg 5 days <10 km (most days), 10.7 km max 500–1,100 m/day Lünersee, short stages, comfortable huts Gesäuse Trek Styria 5 days 10–15 km 500–800 m/day Rugged yet accessible trails, Hesshütte, Enns River Lasörling Höhenweg East Tyrol 5 days 10–15 km 600–900 m/day Quiet valleys, manageable elevation, meadows, mountain lakes 1. Venediger Höhenweg (East Tyrol) – 4 days The Venediger Höhenweg runs through Hohe Tauern National Park and takes you past the impressive Großvenediger (3,662 m). This route offers a genuine alpine experience without being too strenuous. Duration: 4 days Daily distance: 10–15 km Elevation gain: 500–1,000 m per day Overnights: Essener-Rostocker Hütte, Johannishütte, Eisseehütte Why this is an easy hut-to-hut hike in Austria: The stages are manageable, the trails are well marked, and the huts are ideally spaced. Along the way you’ll pass alpine meadows and mountain lakes and enjoy views of the glaciers around the Großvenediger. Perfect for a first hut-to-hut experience. 👉 View the trek: Beginner Venediger Höhenweg – 4 days 2. Salzburger Almenweg – Hochkönig (Salzburg region) – 4 days The Salzburger Almenweg around the Hochkönig is known for its green pastures and spectacular views. This 4-day variant is ideal if you want a short, comfortable hut-to-hut trek. Duration: 4 days Total distance: approx. 48 km Total elevation gain: approx. 2,300 m Overnights: Arthurhaus, Erichhütte, hotel in Mühlbach Why suitable for beginners: Daily distances are manageable and there are plenty of rest spots. A highlight is the climb to Schneebergkreuz (1,900 m), with beautiful views of the Hochkönig massif. The mix of huts and hotel nights adds extra comfort. 👉 View the trek: Salzburger Almenweg – Hochkönig 3. Montafon Fun Trek (Vorarlberg) – 5 days The Montafon Fun Trek is one of the best easy hut-to-hut hikes in Austria for beginners. It’s designed for hikers who want a stress-free introduction to multi-day trekking, combining green valleys, mountain lakes, and comfortable huts. Duration: 5 days Longest day: approx. 10.7 km with ± 1,100 m ascent (Lindauer Hütte → Totalphütte) Overnights: Lindauer Hütte, Totalphütte, Heinrich-Hueter-Hütte Highlights: views of the Lünersee, a deep-blue mountain lake surrounded by steep rock walls. The trek ends at the Golmerbahn mountain station, where you can comfortably ride back down to the valley. Why suitable for beginners: Most stages are under 10 km and the trails are easy to follow (T2 level). Only the stage to the Totalphütte is a bit tougher, but still doable with basic fitness. Thanks to comfortable huts and manageable daily distances, this is an ideal first multi-day trek. 👉 View the trek: Montafon Fun Trek – 5 days 4. Gesäuse Trek (Styria) – 5 days Gesäuse National Park in Styria is known for its rugged limestone peaks, deep gorges, and the rushing Enns River. The Gesäuse Trek introduces you to this impressive landscape around the Hochtor (2,369 m) and beyond. Duration: 5 days Daily distance: 10–15 km Elevation gain: 500–800 m per day Well-known huts: Hesshütte (1,699 m), Ennstaler Hütte, Klinke-Hütte Why suitable for beginners: Although the scenery looks dramatic, there are variants with short stages and clear trails. Huts like the Hesshütte are well equipped. Beginners can avoid the tougher sections and follow easier valley trails, making this an accessible yet spectacular trek. 👉 View the trek: Gesäuse Trek – 5 days 5. Lasörling Höhenweg (East Tyrol) – 5 days The Lasörling Höhenweg is a quiet, lesser-known route in East Tyrol—ideal if you want to escape the crowds and seek a pure mountain experience. Duration: 5 days Daily distance: 10–15 km Elevation gain: 600–900 m per day Why this is an accessible hut-to-hut hike in Austria: The stages are well paced and the huts are strategically spaced. You’ll pass silent valleys, alpine meadows, and sometimes mountain lakes. The route delivers an authentic hut-to-hut experience in a tranquil setting. 👉 View the trek: Lasörling Höhenweg – 5 days Extra tips for beginners Choose a trek that matches your fitness: stages of 10–15 km with 500–800 m elevation gain are ideal. Best season: June to September. Bring proper gear: sturdy hiking boots, rainwear, trekking poles, and a sleeping bag liner. These are just five examples of beautiful beginner-friendly hut-to-hut hikes in Austria. There’s much more to discover! See the full overview on our Hut-to-Hut Hiking in Austria for Beginners page. Frequently asked questions Which hut-to-hut hike is best for families with children? The Montafon Fun Trek and the Salzburger Almenweg are excellent choices thanks to short daily distances and comfortable huts. How difficult is a hut-to-hut hike in Austria? Beginner routes usually consist of stages of 10–15 km per day with 500–800 m elevation gain. These are achievable with a normal base fitness. How much does a hut-to-hut hike in Austria cost? Expect €40–70 per night including half board in a mountain hut. Alpine club members often get a discount. Note: prices vary by hut and season. How do I book huts? Most huts can be booked online via the Alpine Club or directly with the hut. For popular routes, it’s best to book early. What should I pack? Check out our comprehensive packing list for hut-to-hut hikes.