Hiking through 3 different areas

This 5-day hut-to-hut tour offers a lot of variety, because no less than 3 regions are central to our hike. We cross the provinces of Tyrol, Salzburg and South Tyrol (Italy). The hiking trails are almost all above the tree line and are rugged in character. The hike is for experienced mountain hikers with a good level of fitness, from 18 years old.

The first part of the tour consists of nice forest paths, but this soon changes. We walk on boulders, stone and gravel paths, depending on the altitude we are at. The beautiful surroundings continue to surprise, such as views of impressive glacier areas, mountain lakes, high peaks and lively nature. Early in the hiking season, you may encounter snowfields. 

Some parts of the route are marked as 'hoch alpine route'. This means that you have to be firm on your feet on these stretches, as you will pass narrow ledges and paths with a deeper abyss. 

The hike is suitable for experienced mountain hikers with a good level of fitness, from 18 years old. The stages are relatively long. Take into account a minimum of 5.5 walking hours per day, with an outlier of about 9 walking hours in one day.

Hut life is an experience in itself!!

Many different mountaineers come together in the huts after a long day of exercise. It is a pleasant get-together, exchanging experiences and above all recovering from the day. Games are played and people enjoy a nutritious meal together. Eating often takes place between 19:00 and 20:00.

In the mountain huts there are a number of rules and customs, in order to structure the 'coexistence' with the other attendees. The caretaker of the hut will assign you a place to sleep. We often sleep in 'a Lager', a dormitory with a row of narrow mattresses or bunk beds next to each other. The limited spaces are designed to accommodate as many people as possible. Blankets and pillows are always provided. To keep the sleeping quarters neat and livable, everyone folds their own blankets neatly in the morning. Because the blankets are not washed after every user, a sleeping bag is often mandatory.

Most cabins are equipped with solar panels or a generator for electricity. People are economical with energy, which is why the lights are turned on late and out again at 22:00 at the latest. From that moment on, it's 'Hüttenruhe'. There is no light at night, so it is useful if you have a headlight or flashlight at hand. The cabins are simple, as are the sanitary facilities. Nowadays it is possible to shower in more and more cabins, for which you can buy a shower token on site.

Day 1

Start: Isskogelbahn Gerlos car park 1,261 m
Final destination: Zittauer Hütte 2,328 m
Walking time: 8 hours

We start our walking tour in Gerlos. During the first stage, we meander through the Schönachtal, deep into the valley. We start at a leisurely pace, so you can take in the surroundings. At the back of the Schönachtal, we take a steep mountain path and cross the Keeskarscharte at 2,784 m. After this, we arrive at our first overnight stop: the Zittauer Hütte. 

Day 2

Start: Zittauer Hütte 2,328 m
Final destination: Richterhütte 2,367 m
Walking time: 5.5 hours

After the long walk of the previous day, a shorter stage is on the program today. We hike to the Richterhütte and cross a rugged area with lots of stone and gravel. It's like walking through a lunar landscape! The Richterhütte is very secluded, in and around the hut there is a special atmosphere. All in all, it is a special experience in a special place!

Day 3

Start: Richterhütte 2,367 m
Final destination: Birnlücken Hütte 2,441 m
Walking time: 7 hours

The area we cross today is rocky and rugged. This stage contains two steep climbs. We walk over several mountain flanks and along a large mountain lake below. Eventually we leave the province of Salzburg, after which we walk over Italian soil to the Birnlückenhütte. 

Day 4

Start: Birnlücken Hütte 2,441 m
Final destination: Plauener Hütte 2,364 m
Walking time: 9 hours

We start the day with a hearty breakfast; A long hike is on the program! From the Birnlückenhütte, we hike with extreme concentration on an alpine hiking trail to Holy Geistjöchl. On this stretch we have a beautiful view over the Ahrntal; Take the time to enjoy this! 

Passing the Holy Geistjöchl, we are back on Austrian soil. We descend over large boulders, after which we gradually descend to the Plauener Hütte. Arriving at the hut, you look out over the underlying reservoir called 'Zillergründl'. 

Day 5

Start: Plauener Hütte 2,367 m
Final destination: Zillergründl reservoir 1,900 m
Walking time: 5.5 hours

The last day of this tour offers a nice route to end with. We walk back a bit in the direction of Heilige Geistjöchl and then descend towards the reservoir. We walk through the area 'Little Tibet', be surprised by a beautiful piece of nature. The route continues along the Zillergründl reservoir to the beginning of the reservoir. From here we will take the bus back to Mayrhofen, where we will end this tour. 

The trips are organized on the basis of your own transport. This means that you will take care of your own transport to the first starting point of your hut-to-hut tour. If desired, we can provide accommodation where you can stay before and after the hut-to-hut tour. Feel free to contact us so we can arrange this for you. 

Our mountain guide rates

Because our hut-to-hut tours are often tailor-made, it is difficult to give concrete rates in advance. To be able to give an indication, below is an overview of the target prices for the mountain guide. For each hut-to-hut tour, the price is tailor-made, based on the agreements made per tour. 

In addition to the guide prices, there are also the costs for overnight stays, food and drinks and the costs on site.

Daily rate mountain guide summer

01 to 04 persons € 300,- per day
From 05 people rate on request

How do you prepare for a hut-to-hut tour?

A good basic condition is nice, you can simply enjoy the tour more. Therefore, start the physical preparation for the hut-to-hut tour on time. A good preparation consists of strengthening muscles that you rarely use in daily life and improving mobility and stability. Don't forget to get your body used to walking with a backpack (weight included). 

Mountaineering boots have to endure a lot on a hut-to-hut tour. Check your shoes before the start of the hut-to-hut tour. Make sure your hiking boots are well broken in, have a good tread and that they are in one piece. In addition, extra care of your shoe with a maintenance product is not an unnecessary luxury.

Difficulty of this hut-to-hut tour

View details of the difficulty of this hut-to-hut tour here. Do you have any questions about this? Feel free to contact us.

What do you bring?

Enjoying and being safe on the road in the mountains is our top priority. To make this possible, good equipment is important. We have drawn up a packing list, which gives you tools to pack the right equipment. At the start of the hut-to-hut tour, we check your equipment to prevent you from taking too much or too little.

Bring enough cash with you, many cabins do not allow payment by debit card

It is always useful to know what is included in a trip. Below are the most important points

INCLUDING

• Trusted, experienced & licensed English speaking tour guide: 
• 3 nights in multi-bed rooms & bearings
• Half board (breakfast and dinner) from dinner day 1 to breakfast on day 5
• Additional information such as packing lists 

EXCLUSIVE

• Personal expenses on drinks, phone calls, snacks and souvenirs
• Round-trip journey to and from the start and end points of the journey
• Tours snacks such as bars, nuts & chocolate and lunch 
• Travel and cancellation insurance