HUT HIKING TOUR IN THE STUBAI ALPS

Trailhead of this outstandingly beautiful tour to the heart of the Stubai Alps is Sölden's hamlet of Windau. A signposted path leads into Windachtal valley, through dense woods towards Wirtshaus Falkner inn where stunning vista points await you. The trail continues up to Vorderer Brunnenkogel peak and the mountain hut of the same name. An alternative route for all those who want to start the tour one day earlier: Take the ascending trail along Windachtal valley up to Gasthof Fiegl inn and stay overnight there. The next day you walk approx. 10 minutes until you get to the first signposted trail. Turn right and head towards the forest. In some sections the trail climbs very steeply before you reach the softly rolling Schönkar Alpine pastures and the Brunnenkoglhaus mountain hut.

Hiking time: 4.5 - 5 hours
Brunnenkogelhaus mountain hut: open late June to late September
Run by: Bruno Prantl; tel 0043 (0) 664 200 76 94

The panoramic Brunnenkogel ridge can be crossed via narrow paths featuring ropes and is recommended to surefooted hikers with a good head for heights. In its first section the path is not very demanding but later on it becomes quite difficult and challenging. Leading south-eastwards from Hinterer Brunnenkogel summit to Rotkogel peak and Wilde Rötespitze mountain the route proceeds up to Wannenkar saddleback. This unique mountain ridge inclines towards the east and leads the hiker down to Oberes Wannenkar area and, with minimal changes in elevation, further on to Rötenkarle ridge and Wietenkar ridge. After approximately 4.5 hours you reach Timmelsjoch pass. Walk down Timmelstal valley for another 1.5 hours always following the signposted E5 long-distance hiking route. You reach the valley's bottom right below Schönauer Alm, in immediate vicinity to the bridge and Timmelsjoch road. Walk along the road for about 10 minutes until you get to Gasthof Hochfirst inn. Alternative route: 15 minutes before you reach the valley's bottom you can also take the slopeside trail which leads to Gasthof Hochfirst as well.

Hiking time: approx. 6 hours
Gasthof Hochfirst inn: located on Timmelsjoch road; open May to November
Owned by: Pöhl Family; inn: tel (0039) 0473 647040, private: tel (0039) 0473 656279

Trailhead is Gasthof Hochfirst. Walk along Timmelsjoch road for about 10 minutes until you reach the bridge where the signposted "Knappensteig" hiking trail starts. Heading towards the former mining areas of St. Matin am Schneeberg, past dense woods and shady forests, you should not miss out on the stunning views of Seewertal valley and Hochfirst peak. After a while the trail bends northwards in direction of Schneeberg brook. Thanks to this short day tour you have plenty of time to explore the scenic surroundings of the mountain hut, such as Schwarzsee lake. Alternatives include a visit to the mining museum and the recently installed theme trail. Brochures and further information are available at the mountain hut. Schneeberg mountain hut, which used to be Europe's highest mine, has been carefully renovated and offers all amenities for both hikers and vacationers.

Hiking time: 2.5 hours
Schneeberg mountain hut: open June 15 to October 15
Run by: Heinz Widmann; hut: tel (0039) 0473 647045, private: tel (0039) 0473 656306 Internet: ~ www.schneeberg.org

The well-marked hiking trail no. 29 takes you up to Karlscharte ridge at 2,668m above sea level. Hiking time: 1 hour. An easy, descending path leads down across Timmelstal valley and towards lovely Schwarzsee lake. The little Alpine lake ranks among the most beautiful of its kind within the entire Stubai Alps, and makes a perfect place to take a rest. The ascending trail continues in direction Siegerlandhütte/Becherhaus huts. The left route proceeds up to Windachscharte ridge. You walk eastwards and parallel to the ridge for about 250m. Following the signposts you head down to the giant cirques of the eastern Scheiblehnferner glacier. This section of the trail is quite demanding! Stay on the trail until you see Siegerland mountain hut come into view.

Hiking time: 4 hours
Siegerlandhütte mountain hut: open late June to approx. September 20
Run by: Hermann Fiegl; hut: tel 0043 (0) 5254 2142, private: tel 0043 (0) 5254 2189

A signposted hiking path leads to Hildesheimer Hütte mountain hut. Leaving behind Siegerland hut, the descending trail (about 100m of altitude change) takes you down to Triebenkar cirque. Steeply rising you continue up to the eastern part of Gaiskogel peak and further on to Gamsplatzl area. Right below the saddleback the demanding path is quite slippery. On top of the saddle you can enjoy stunning views of the Dolomites, the entire Ötztal Alps and its surrounding valleys. Hildesheimer mountain hut comes already into view but you still have to master a descending trail down to Gaiskar ridge and another ascending section (about 200m of altitude change) up to the top where you find Hildesheimer mountain hut. The scenic hut was built in 1896 and ranks among the oldest and highest - 2,900m above sea level - serviced mountain huts within the southern Stubai Alps. Hiking time: 3 hours Hildesheimer mountain hut: open late July to approx. September 20 Run by: Gustav Fiegl; hut: tel 0043 (0) 5254 2300, private: tel 0043 (0) 5254 2090

Via the descending Ludwig-Aschenbrenner trail you reach the bottom of scenic Windachtal valley. Continue walking on this outstandingly beautiful path until you get to Fiegl's inn where you can take a well-deserved break. This is also the perfect place to enjoy all the unforgettable mountain experiences of the last days over a glass of refreshing beer accompanied by a hearty snack. You stay overnight and the next morning you head towards Sölden, following the slightly descending path down to the valley. Hiking time: 2.5 hours Gasthof Fiegl inn: accessible by taxi Owned by: Ernst Riml; inn: tel 0043 (0) 664 52 333 09, Haus Jasmin: tel 0043 (0) 5254 2571