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Mountain refuges

Austrian mountains are well provided with a huge network of serviced mountain walkers’ refuges, called in German hutte (pl hutten). Refuges are either operated by the Austrian (OeAV) or German (DAV) Alpenverein (alpine clubs), or are privately run. On or near to the Adlerweg and its variants there are 23 Alpenverein refuges and 14 private ones.

Alpine club refuges are owned and managed by individual sections of Alpenverein and this is often reflected in their names, such as Bayreutherhutte and Stuttgarterhutte. The UK section has no refuges of its own, but members are encouraged to contribute to a fund that helps maintain some of the less well funded refuges. On the Adlerweg, Steinseehutte in the Lechtaler Alpen has been a beneficiary of this fund, contributing to the installation of solar heating and warm showers.

Refuges are graded according to their facilities, and this is reflected in the overnight price. Accommodation can be in individual rooms sleeping from two to eight, or in the slightly cheaper lager, a mixed-sex dormitory often in the roof space. Most refuges have hot water and many have hot showers for which there is a small charge. Blankets and pillows are provided, but guests are expected to provide their own sheets. Advance booking can be made, and this is required for large groups. At weekends in high season, some refuges, particularly those in the Karwendel, can be very full. However, AV members are guaranteed somewhere to sleep and a proportion of places are kept back for this purpose. At very busy times, spare mattresses and put-me-up beds can fill the dining rooms and corridors. Discounts of 30% to 50% on accommodation (not food) are made for AV members and for members of other national alpine clubs. Self-catering is not usually possible, except for Loreahutte (Stage A17), which is unserviced. Overall, AV refuges offer a warm, welcoming and good value place to eat and sleep.