A true treat: Top 5 hut hikes for advanced hikers

We start in an area where the density of picturesque cabins is as high as hardly anywhere else in the world. Specifically, in the Almenparadies Gaistal. The hiking options here are unlimited, and so are the places to eat. Why is that? Anyone who has been here before will be able to answer that question. The beauty, the character, and the views from the cabins of the Gaistal are truly unique. The following route includes two of these cabins and connects them with a really beautiful hiking trail. From the "Stupfer" parking lot, the path first steeply ascends 400 meters in altitude. The cabin break is well-deserved. At the fork towards Waldsteig, you then turn toward Wangalm. The cabin is a popular destination and offers excellent Tyrolean cuisine and views that will take your breath away. Once you have regained your strength, you return to the Waldsteig fork. Here, trail number 9 leads comfortably to the second cabin in the group.

The second hut hike for advanced hikers takes us right through the Karwendel Nature Park. More precisely, it starts at the Gateway to Karwendel, includes two peaks along the way, and makes a stop at the Oberbrunnalm. With an elevation gain of 794 meters, you'll have to "climb" a little higher here than on our first tour, but the reward is at least equally sweet. The starting and endpoint is the Nature Park Information Center in Schanritz. From there, we head in the direction of Bärenklamm via the Mühlberg parking lot. There, you'll encounter narrow, partially steep paths that require the sure-footedness of a bear! The trail winds through the pleasantly cool high forest until it reaches the forest road. On this road, you will pass the former mountain station of the Mühlberg lift, where today a beautiful Heart Viewing Platform stands. Shortly after that, a double peak victory can be celebrated at Mittagskopf (it gets quite warm at noon on this peak) and Zäunlkopf.

In third place in the ranking is probably the easiest tour on the list. The circular hike to the Rauthütte has just over 400 meters of elevation, but still rewards hikers with dreamlike views! It is no wonder that this is one of the most popular routes among the locals. The starting point is the "Munde" parking lot, from where the trail first goes through dense forests and over picturesque alpine meadows. The path through the Katzenloch requires a bit more stamina before it heads directly to the Rauthütte from Trail No. 99. The efforts are rewarded with fantastic views of the Wetterstein Mountains and the surrounding valleys. At just over 1,600 meters above sea level, we reach the Rauthütte. Stopping there is a must! The reason? Since 2018, the rustic hut has been awarded every year by the gourmet guide "Gault&Millau" as one of the best restaurants in the country. The hut spoils its guests with traditional Tyrolean cuisine, but especially on weekends, it offers unusual specialties repeatedly. It is best enjoyed from the cozy terrace.

The fourth "stage" of our hut tour takes us to the Pleisenhütte. Again, this is a favorite among locals and a must for view lovers. From the Nature Park Information Center, you stroll about 2 km along the Hinterautalstraße – enough time to enjoy the anticipation of the upcoming hike. Then take the left turn and begin your ascent. The path winds up in gentle serpentines until you reach Lablehner, a dreamlike meadow with a view of the Brunnstein and the Karwendeltal. Here, you can take a deep breath and fully soak in the Alpine feeling. After that, the serpentine path continues higher and higher. The climb requires a bit of perseverance, but the reward is worth it. After almost 800 meters of altitude, the Pleisenhütte awaits you with its sunny south terrace. Here you can take off your hiking boots, put your feet up, and enjoy the panorama while treating yourself to a well-deserved snack. Let the corks pop (or at least the lemonade fizz) and enjoy this unique feeling.

The crowning conclusion of this list is the majestic "Königstour" – a demanding hike that truly lives up to its name. This challenging tour begins with a funicular ride from the Rosshütte cable cars to the Seefelder Joch at 2,064 meters. Here the true adventure begins. From the mountain station, it’s almost five kilometers further, but beware – this stretch is challenging! You will ascend the peaks of the Seefelder Spitze (2,220 m) and the Reither Spitze (2,373 m), which can only be tackled with good footing in places. After about three hours of walking, you'll reach the beautiful Nördlinger Hütte at 2,230 meters, where a well-deserved rest awaits you. The return path takes about an hour back to the mountain station of the Härmelekopfbahn, from where you can comfortably return to the valley by cable car. If you prefer to hike back down to the valley on foot, you can take the approximately two-hour hiking trail and enjoy a delightful stop at the Reitherjoch-Alm (1,500 m).