Austria: Stubai Alps, Hut to Hut Hiking

Austria Stubai Alps Hut to Hut Hiking

Austria Stubai Alps Hut to Hut Hiking. The Stubai Alps are part of the Austrian Central Alps. They are one of the most beautiful areas in the Austrian Alps and indeed in the entire Alps mountain range. There is a well-maintained system of fully serviced huts in the Stubai Valley which makes outdoor adventures in the mountains very accessible. During this trip, we will use the hut system and spend five days hiking and four nights in the huts, sleeping at a different hut each night.

Stubai Valley or Stubaital

The Stubai Valley, or Stubaital in German, is the stunning central valley of the Stubai Alps. Carved during the end of the last ice age, it still holds several glaciers on it's highest peaks, including the Stubai Glacier, a popular glacial skiing area. The Stubai Alps are located in the region known as Tyrol and they extend from North Tyrol (Austria) into South Tyrol (Italy). The Stubai Alps along with the Otztal Alps are the largest mountain chain in the Eastern Alps. You may have heard of Otzi the IceMan, well, he was discovered near Stubai, in the Otztal Alps, on the border between Austria and Italy.

Hut to Hut Hiking Stubai

On our trip of Austria Stubai Alps Hut to Hut Hiking we will visit four different huts as we make a large circular traverse of the Stubai Valley. The hike is demanding as it covers several mountain passes and therefore several ups and subsequent downs. The scenery is spectacular and varied. From thick pine forests, to high alpine meadows, to rocky mountain passes, and up close encounters with glaciers. This area has just about every mountain terrain you can imagine. Our route does not cross any glaciers but we may encounter some patches of snow or even snow flurries. Join us for an unforgettable experience!

Duration: 5 days, 4 nights

Dates: July 1 - September 30 (dates may vary depending on conditions and availability)

• Certified mountain guide: Union of International Mountain Leader Associations (UIMLA) and Spanish Mountain Guides Association (AEGM). Native English, fluent Spanish
• Planning and logistics
• 4 nights accommodation in mountain huts (Day 1-4). We will stay at a different hut each night.
• Food is provided at the huts. This includes: 4 dinners (Day 1-4), 4 breakfasts (Day 2-5), and 4 picnic lunches (Day 2-5).
• Liability Insurance during the activity
• Accident Insurance during the activity
• Basic First Aid Kit

• Transportation to and from the start/finish point
• Breakfast and lunch on Day 1 and dinner and lodging on Day 5
• Drinks in the huts (beer, wine, soda)
• International Travel Insurance (highly recommended).  See links below for more information.
  • Global Rescue
  • Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance

Parking - Hut 1

Distance: 12.5 km

Elevation gain: 1440 m

Elevation loss: 200 m

Time: 7-8 hr

Hut 1 - Hut 2

Distance: 13 km

Elevation gain: 970m

Elevation loss: 950m

Time: 7-8 hr

Hut 2 - Hut 3

Distance: 9 km

Elevation gain: 870m

Elevation loss: 900m

Time: 6-7 hr

Hut 3 - Hut 4

Distance: 16 km

Elevation gain: 1300m

Elevation loss: 1200m

Time: 8-9 hr

• A positive attitude and desire to hike in the mountains! This is an active vacation so be ready to move your body, feel the excitement, and visit some extraordinary places!
• Each person must be capable of hiking for extended periods (6-9hr per day) and be accustomed to spending extended time (5 days) in mountainous alpine terrain. This means that we will be hiking over varied terrain during five consecutive days in the mountains and possibly in varying weather conditions. One day may be sunny and hot but the next day could be cold and wet. It is possible that this type of scenario could occur on the same day.
• Each participant must be prepared for changing weather conditions and variations in terrain.
• A medium to high level of physical and mental fitness is necessary for this trip.

The following is a list of personal material that each participant should bring:

• Waterproof/Goretex hiking/trekking boots with rubber soles (i.e. Vibram). High top or medium top boots are recommended. Please break in your boots before this hike! Nothing can put a damper on a multi-day hike like a blister on Day 1!
• Appropriate clothing for outdoor adventures in the mountains. Dress in layers, like an onion. The 3-layer system is important and should definitely be utilized on our multi-day hike. Base layer: synthetic thermal clothing to wick away perspiration and keep you dry. Middle layer: fleece jacket to maintain body heat. Outer layer: waterproof/windproof shell to protect against the elements.
• Long pants (recommended that they are water resistant)
• Long sleeve shirt (recommended that it is water resistant)
• Comfortable socks
• Backpack to carry all your personal gear. Ideally 30-40L capacity. Pack light and do not bring more than is absolutely necessary! Aim for < 10kg.
• Water bottle(s)/Camelback, etc. Minimum 1L.
• Personal medication
• Sun glasses, sun screen SPF 30+, sun hat, lip balm
• Light sleeping bag or sleeping sheet (the huts have blankets but you can bring your own if you want)
• Headlamp
• Hiking poles (highly recommended)
• Binoculars (optional)

More Hut to Hut Hiking

• Can't get enough hut to hut hiking? Why not continue hiking with Bigtime Aventura in the Italian Dolomites. In 2021, we are offering three hut to hut hiking trips in the Dolomites. These are scheduled for July 2021, so before this hut to hut trip in Austria's Stubai Alps. Don't miss out! Click on the links below to look at our Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking trips.
• Italy: Western Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking (6 days and 5 nights)
• Take a look at our 5 days and 4 nights Italy: Central Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking adventure which starts two days after the Western Dolomites trip.
• If you really want the full tour of the Dolomites, add on our 6 days and 5 nights Italy: Eastern Dolomites Hut to Hut Hiking trip, which starts two days after the central Dolomites trip.
• In total, you can hike across the Dolomites in 17 days by doing all three of our hut to hut hiking trips. The sequential order of the trips is west, central, and east. Or combine any two segments to lengthen your stay in the Dolomites, such as west + central or central + east.

Via Ferrata

• Have you ever done a via ferrata? Via ferratas were invented in the Dolomites during WWI. If you were ever going to try a via ferrata, the Dolomites are the place! Join Bigtime Aventura for a week of via ferratas in the Dolomites during our Italy: Via Ferratas Dolomites trip, which occurs after the three weeks of hut to hut hiking.
• Contact us to add on a few days of via ferrata in the Stubai Valley after the Austria: Stubai Alps Hut to Hut Hiking adventure!