Before our first hut to hut hiking trip in Austria, I was braced for spartan and noisy dormitories, possibly grumpy staff, and a very real chance I’d be hiking with hangry children after a terrible night’s sleep. But the reality was a very welcome surprise.
Austrian mountain huts are not only comfortable and well-organised; they’re also warm, welcoming – and most importantly – good value, especially compared to the more famous (and far busier) huts in the Italian Dolomites.
I’ve stayed in everything from small, family-run wooden cabins with creaky floorboards and cows in the barn next to the bathrooms, to larger Austrian Alpine Club lodges that sleep 60 and serve three-course dinners to large groups of hikers and climbers.
If it’s your first time staying in a mountain hut in Austria, this guide will walk you through exactly what to expect – from room types and food to booking tips and a few lessons I learned the hard way.
Why stay in a mountain hut in Austria?
Staying in a mountain hut offers a kind of alpine magic you just don’t get with day hikes. You wake up to the sun rising over the peaks, eat a hearty breakfast surrounded by buzzing fellow hikers, and head straight out onto the trail without needing to pack up a tent.
One of the best things about staying in a mountain hut is the stillness at night and in the early morning. These huts are often hours away from the nearest road – far removed from traffic, towns, and all the usual background noise of daily life. No cars. Often no phone signal. Just clinking cow- or goat-bells, the birds and insects, and whatever the weather is doing that day.
Austria’s huts, in particular, are an underrated gem. They might not have the jagged limestone drama of the Dolomites, but the landscapes are still stunning; with sweeping alpine meadows, dramatic ridgelines, sparkling lakes, and craggy peaks that feel wild and unspoiled.
The views may be a little less famous, but they’re no less breath taking. Added to this, in my experience, the trails are also much quieter. The signage is fantastic. The local people and staff in the huts are by and large friendly and welcoming. And everything from food to overnight stays is cheaper than in neighbouring Italy or Switzerland.
The different types of Austrian mountain huts
Not all mountain huts are created equal; and that’s part of the charm. In Austria, you’ll find a huge range, from rustic summer farms to purpose-built Alpine Club lodges. The variety means you can tailor your experience to your comfort level, group size, or hiking ambition.
You can do a few days of hut hiking and have a completely different experience each night. Some feel like staying in a friend’s mountain cabin. Others are more like simple hostels with incredible views and extensive menus.
Private huts and summer farms
These are the small, often family-run huts that feel like you’ve stumbled into someone’s alpine small holding. Some are converted alm huts (originally used for seasonal cattle grazing), others are working farms in summer.
They might only have 10 beds, no showers, and a dining room that feels more like a kitchen table — but the welcome is usually warm, the bedrooms small and full of character, the views spectacular, and the food properly homemade.
Filzmoosalm, Großarl
They’re especially great for kids. There are often farm animals to meet, a swing set or trampoline tucked away, or just space to run around without worry. For a quiet, characterful overnight or a low-pressure first hut experience, these huts are a definite win for families.
Austrian Alpine Club huts
These are more structured – built and managed by the Austrian Alpine Club (Österreichischer Alpenverein). Most were constructed in the late 1800s onwards to serve hikers, climbers, and ski tourers, and some can sleep 50+ people.
- Hofpürglhütte
Don’t expect boutique interiors, but do expect a variety of room sizes including large dorms, decent mattresses, warm meals, and shared bathrooms. Some even have hot showers (for a small fee) and drying rooms.
Facilities: what to expect
Standard facilities include shared toilets (sometimes composting), running water, and communal dining rooms. Most huts have hot water, though not all offer showers – especially the more remote or smaller ones.
Often tap water isn’t drinkable but you can fill water bottles for a fee (or it’s included in your half board cost). Electricity is usually available, but charging points might be very limited, so bringing a power bank is a good idea. Most huts provide blankets and pillows, but you’ll need to bring a sleeping bag liner. Don’t expect WiFi – you won’t miss it!
What’s it like to sleep in a mountain hut?
Cosy, communal, and occasionally a creaky floorboard or two; sleeping in a mountain hut is a great adventure.
Room types: dorms, matratzenlager, and private rooms
Most huts offer a mix of sleeping arrangements. The traditional option is the matratzenlager — a large room lined with single mattresses, often placed right next to each other. Think of it as a giant communal bunk bed.
Most huts also have smaller dormitories or shared rooms with bunk beds (like the photos below), and increasingly, many offer private or family rooms you can pre-book if you’re early. These are ideal if you’ve got younger children, are a larger group, or just want a bit more breathing space after a long hike.
- Gruttenhütte, Wilder Kaiser
4-bed room at the Tappenkarseehütte
Bedding and what to bring
All huts provide blankets and pillows, but you’re expected to bring your own sleeping bag liner (Hüttenschlafsack).
Some of the private rooms have proper bedding that is washed between guests, so a sleeping bag liner isn’t needed for those. If in doubt, check with your hut before you start your hike.
Hut slippers, sandals or sliders / crocs are often required (your boots stay downstairs in the boot room), so throw in a lightweight pair.
What to expect at night
Huts are generally quiet soon after dinner, especially in the dorms. Lights go out early, and most hikers are up early. Bring earplugs and an eye mask if you’re sensitive to light. Kids usually crash out after a full day on the trail.
It’s not luxurious, but it is comfortable, and I always get a really good night’s sleep in these places, (apart from the one night I spent in a larger dorm full of snoring men)! After a full day of hiking, a hot meal, and a bit of fresh mountain air, it’s usually really easy to get to sleep.
- Tappenkarseehütte, Großarl
Food in Austrian huts: Knödels, Kaiserschmarrn, and beyond
Austrian huts might be remote, but you certainly won’t go hungry. Most offer half-board (Halbpension), which includes a two- or three-course dinner and a basic breakfast; and for hungry hikers, it’s one of the best value meals you’ll find in the Alps.
What meals are typically included in half board
Dinner is usually a set menu: goulash, dumplings, pasta, or meat and potatoes, often followed by a small dessert like panna cotta or parfait. Breakfasts are simple but solid – bread, butter, jam, cheese, ham, muesli, yoghurt, and hot drinks. Some huts offer a packed lunch for an extra charge.
- Rösti potatoes and fried egg
Kid-friendly meals and dietary flexibility
Most huts will offer plainer or kid-friendly meals on request. If you have dietary restrictions, let them know when booking – vegetarians are easily accommodated. A vegan diet and allergies with issues with cross contamination may be more complicated.
Personal favourites: Kaiserschmarrn and Knödelsuppe
A fluffy Kaiserschmarrn is a reward worth hiking for, and a proper Käseknödelsuppe (a clear, salty and flavoursome broth served with hearty bread and cheese dumplings) is a whole alpine experience on its own.
- Kaiserschmarrn
Booking Austrian huts: what you need to know
Booking is easy once you know the system – but it pays to plan ahead, especially if you’re travelling in peak season (July and August).
When and how to book
Check the website of the hut you want to book. Some take bookings via the Austrian Alpine Club, and some directly by email. It’s rare you have to phone! Book early for summer and holidays.
Tips for families and beginners
Ask about family rooms, showers, and whether you need to pack indoor shoes (e.g. crocs). Don’t overestimate distances between huts, and check the elevation – keep days manageable.
Do you need to be a member of the Austrian Alpine Club?
No, but membership gives discounts and includes mountain rescue insurance. For regular hikers, it’s worth it. You can join any section, but if you’re an English speaker, the Britannia section is a good choice.
Kids get free membership (and relevant discounts and insurance) when both parents are members (or one parent in the case of single parent families).
Getting there and going hut to hut
Austria’s infrastructure makes hut to hut hiking easy, even for beginners.
Austria’s outstanding hiking infrastructure
Marked trails, regular signs with expected times to the next waypoint, free maps from tourist offices, and reliable apps like Komoot make navigation simple.
Hiker-friendly extras
Hikers’ shuttle buses, taxis and summer ski lifts are common. Ask local tourist offices for information, or search the tourist board website.
Austrian hiking signpost
Fun access options: the Almi shuttle
The Almi, a mobile alpine hut on wheels, shuttles hikers from Filzmoos to the Kirchgasshütte at the Aualm in 25 minutes – a fun start for families or tired legs. There are various fun access options like this throughout Austria.
My experience: from small summer huts to Alpine Club classics
From the Lienz Dolomites to the Wilder Kaiser, every hut offers something different.
Stories from the Lienz Dolomites, Salzburger region, and Wilder Kaiser
Lienz Dolomites:
Karlsbaderhütte — Classic Alpine Club hut in a spectacular cirque with a lake out front and great climbing nearby.
Kerschbaumeralm — Remote, rustic, and family-run; ideal for those seeking a quieter spot with panoramic views.
Dolomitenhütte — A modern and stylish hut with floor-to-ceiling windows in some of the rooms, and a two-night minimum stay. More of a hotel than hikers’ refuge.
- Karlsbaderhütte, Lienz Dolomites
☝🏽Check out my Family Hike in the Lienz Dolomites for more
information on these huts and the hike that visits them!
Salzburger region – Filzmoos:
Hopfgurglhütte — Large Alpine Club hut surrounded by peaks, perfect for those looking for a straightforward overnight with great views.
Gablonzerhütte — Smaller and more personal feeling and accessible via cable car; makes a lovely first hut experience.
Stuhlalm — A charming and rustic hut with fantastic views of the Bischofsmütze, ideal for a peaceful night and perfect for connecting routes near Filzmoos.
Kirchgasshütte — Set in a flower-filled alpine pasture above Filzmoos, reachable by the charming Almi shuttle bus; cosy, scenic, and ideal for families.
Stuhlalm Credit: www.stuhlalm.at
☝🏽Have a read of exactly how to organise these two hikes in the above area:
– Around the Bischofsmütze – best for adults and strong teens
– Family Friendly Hut to Hut Hiking Near Salzburg – great for families and kids
Salzburger region – Großarl:
Tappenkarseehütte — Sits above a stunning alpine lake; a favourite with families for its beautiful setting and swim-worthy water.
Ellmaualm — Friendly, relaxed, with great food and space for kids to roam.
Filzmoosalm — Easy to reach and often overlooked — peaceful and charming.
Weißalm — High above Großarl, this hut is rustic and remote with proper alpine atmosphere.
Loosbühelalm — A popular choice for day-trippers too, thanks to its comfort and homemade food.
Kleinarlerhütte — Traditional and scenic, with access to longer hikes and alpine meadows.
- Ellmaualm View
☝🏽Check out my 3 day Grossarl valley hut to hut hike accessible from Salzburg for the hike taking in these huts!
Wilder Kaiser, Tirol:
Gruttenhütte — High and dramatic, with views for miles
Gaudeamushütte — Family-friendly with a short walk in and huge views.
Kaindlhütte — Sheltered, small, friendly and full of character in a tiny alpine hamlet.
Anton-Karg-Haus — Nestled in a forested valley with real old-school hut character.
- Gruttenhütte, Tirol
Stöfflhütte — Quieter and less visited, perfect for those looking to get off the beaten track.
Small huts vs larger ones
Small huts feel like staying with friends. Larger ones are more like hostels — consistent, busy, and well-equipped. It’s really nice to include a variety of each sort on a multiday hike!
What I wish I’d known
Bring earplugs, book early, pack light, and don’t be intimidated — these huts are often full of families and friendly faces.
First alpine hut trip tips for beginners
What to pack
Sleeping bag liner, warm layers, waterproof, sandals or crocs, headtorch, earplugs, power bank.
Read my packing list for hut hiking here
Tips for hiking with kids
Start small, pack snacks, let them carry a pack – some or all of their kit, depending on age! and arrive early to explore the area around the hut.
There’s lots more info on hut hiking with kids in my post here
Etiquette, safety, and surprises
Take off boots, respect quiet hours and meal times. Don’t be surprised if you leave already planning the next trip.
There’s lots more on hut etiquette in this beginners’ guide to mountain huts
Why Austrian huts are perfect for a family hiking adventure
You don’t need to be super fit or speak fluent German. With well-marked trails, hearty meals, friendly hosts, and stunning views, Austrian mountain huts offer one of the best family hiking experiences in Europe, without the crowds and overwhelm of the Dolomites.
It’s not luxury travel, but it is joyful, grounding, and full of moments that stay with you. Try it once — you might just fall in love with alpine hiking.
- At the end of our 3 day hike in the Lienz Dolomites – my parents, husband and kids!
