The hut 1x1

Insider tips for your stay in a mountain hut

An overnight stay in a mountain hut is an absolute experience for me. It doesn't matter whether I'm out and about for a few days on a high-altitude trail, whether I need a base for alpine tours or whether I'm just heading up into the mountains for a weekend to leave everyday life behind in the valley. I love it when things gradually calm down in the afternoon, the nearby mountain peaks glow in golden light just before sunset and you can sit together in the evening.
Would you like to experience this too? Then here are a few tips for spending the night in a mountain hut:

You now have to reserve your sleeping place at all huts in advance. The easiest way to do this is via the respective hut website. If the hut can be reserved online, you will be redirected accordingly. Otherwise you will find the e-mail address or telephone number for your reservation here. My tip: avoid calling during meal times at lunchtime or in the evening, when things are usually quite hectic.
If you can't make it to the hut as planned, please pick up the phone and cancel your reservation. This way you give another guest the chance of a place to sleep and the hut keepers don't have to worry about you unnecessarily.

What has become a matter of course for us in the valley can quickly turn into a logistical project in a mountain hut. The majority of huts are now very well prepared for vegetarian food. The situation is a little different with vegan food or allergies/intolerances. My tip: contact the hut in good time by phone to clarify any special dietary requirements.
At almost all huts, you can put together a packed lunch for the next day's hike. Sometimes this is included in the accommodation price, sometimes you have to pay extra. It's best to simply ask, this also applies to water and tea.

In recent years, the level of comfort in the huts has changed a lot, with some huts almost resembling a small hotel in the mountains. There are now often showers with hot or cold water (for a fee). Please note, however, that the water shortage in summer means that there are more restrictions. Sometimes a "cat wash" in the washroom might be enough? My tip: Water is a valuable commodity in the huts, so please use it sparingly.
Mountain lakes close to the huts have recently become more inviting for a dip in the cool water. Please ask the hut warden if the lake is used to supply the hut, so that you don't end up swimming in your coffee water.
Cell phone, watch, camera, ... everything consumes electricity. At the huts, electricity is generated by generators or, in the best case, by solar power. You will often find charging stations for your devices. The same applies here: please use electricity sparingly. My tip: take a rechargeable battery or a power bank with you. The latter are now available with solar cells, so they can be attached to your rucksack and charged during the day.

Your cell phone is now part of your basic equipment on a trip to the mountains. You can use it to call for help in an emergency, recharge your route and access important weather data. For me, it's made even more difficult by the fact that I'm passionate about photography and naturally want to share these photos. But: the mountains are the perfect place to simply enjoy the here and now, exchange ideas with other nature fans or enjoy the peace and quiet. My tip: just switch off your cell phone and enjoy the luxury of not being reachable.

Oh what I haven't experienced in the camps of the hut world. The most important rule: between 22:00 and 06:00 it's absolutely quiet at night! If you have to leave earlier: pack your rucksack in the evening and sneak out quietly. Rustling with plastic bags before six o'clock is just as "punishable" as switching on the light, so use your headlamp. Speaking of a good night's sleep: earplugs protect you from snoring noises and early risers.

• It is best to take your mountain boots to the drying room as soon as you arrive
• please sign the hut book
• be sure to bring your own hut sleeping bag
• leave your sleeping quarters as you found them
• take your AV or Naturefriends card with you
• Only cash is king: card payment is usually not possible
• Please take your garbage back down to the valley
• Are you hiking with a dog? Check whether dogs are allowed on your hut tour

At the huts, you will be welcomed by a perfectly coordinated team who are on their feet from early in the morning until late at night. With the right preparation and a little patience, your hut stay is sure to be an unforgettable experience. Here in the Wipptal Valley, you'll find everything your mountaineering heart desires, from beginner hut tours to long-distance alpine hikes for experts. Find out more...