Hiking from hut to hut at high altitudes is an adventure in the mountains that you will probably remember for the rest of your life. I completed the “Gschnitztal Hut Tour” all around the Gschnitz Valley together with my friend over five daily stages. We covered around 5,200 metres of ascent, 6,293 metres of descent and 53.2 km of distance – a real challenge!

I have wanted to do a hut tour together with my friend for quite some time now. After some thought, she suggested doing the hut tour in the Gschnitz Valley, because you can descend into the valley from any hut if the weather or your physical condition is no longer to your liking. The rooms were booked in no time, because sleeping in communal bunks didn’t really appeal to us.

Packing my backpack…
Packing my backpack was definitely the first big challenge. You should be prepared for any kind of weather. A backpack with a volume of 30 l is about right for this hut tour. The weight should be between 6 kg and max. 10 kg. T-shirts and socks made of Merino wool served me very well. A tip: never take new shoes or a new backpack on a hut tour!

Challenging stages – magnificent views
Five huts lie along the route of the Gschnitztal Hut Tour: the Tribulaun Hut, the Bremer Hut, the Innsbrucker Hut, the Padasterjochhaus and the Blaser Hut. The start and finish are actually the valley station of the Bergeralm, but since my friend lives in Obernberg, we started directly from her house. The first day was really exhausting because our backpacks were so unusually heavy. The stages are demanding and we hiked for approx. 6 hours each day, mastered rope passages and ladders, climbed peaks and enjoyed magnificent views.

The universe of mountain huts – simply unique!
We were always warmly welcomed at the huts and also provided with culinary delights. We were able to take a quick shower almost everywhere – the coin-operated shower is an experience in itself. Earplugs also made our sleep restful. You basically get your head down for the night by 10pm at the huts. The atmosphere in the evening is very casual; people often sit at a big table and exchange experiences with other hikers.

Our conclusion
We enjoyed a wonderful long hike, although it involved quite some effort and a few difficult passages. However, the scenery along the way is very beautiful and no problem for experienced mountain hikers.

Details & facts about the “Gschnitztal Hut Tour”
Typ: Loop tour
Starting point: mountain station Bergeralm at Steinach
Finishing point: valley station Bergeralm at Steinach
Mountain range: Stubaier Alpen

Length: 53.2 km
Duration: 6 or 7 days with 3 to 7 hours walking time each
Elevation uphill: 5.200 m
Elevation downhill: 6.293 m
Highest point: 2.750 m
Lowest point: 1.066 m
Difficulty: difficult (black mountain paths) – excellent physical condition, a sure foot and no fear of heights are absolutely necessary!
Best time of the year: mid June to mid September
Access paths: to all huts possible
Parking: Free parking at the valley station of the Bergeralm Bergbahn at Steinach if you are buying a ticket for the cable-car. Just let them know at the cash desk.

More infos can be found in our interactive map: here

Have fun 🙂