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Four-day crossing of the Stubaier Höhenweg

Mountain range, region / State

Stubai Alps / Austria

Season

Summer

23. 08. - 26. 08. 2021

Difficulty

3 / 5

Elevation

↑ 3907 m

↓ 2821 m

Length

34.8 km

4 days

Altitude

max. 2879 m n.m.

min. 1758 m n.m.

Elevation profile of the route

Meters climbed: 3907 m
Dismal metres: 2821 m

Useful information

  1. 23 Aug 2021 morning arrival in Neustift im Stubaital, parking, buying food and drink
  2. 23 Aug 2021 - dinner and overnight at the Innsbrucker Hütte; stage 10 km, climb 660 m
  3. 24 Aug 2021 - lunch at Bremer Hütte; stage 12 km, 680 m ascent
  4. 24 Aug 2021 - dinner and overnight at the Nürnberger Hütte; stage 7 km, 360 m ascent
  5. 25 Aug 2021 - lunch at the Sulzenau Hütte; stage 6 km, 300 m ascent
  6. 25 Aug 2021 - dinner and overnight at the Dresdner Hütte; stage 7 km, 420 m ascent
  7. 26 Aug 2021 - lunch at Bergstation Eisgrat; stage 4 km, 400 m ascent; cable car to Top of Tyrol
  8. 26 Aug 2021 - overnight camping in Neustift

Useful information

  1. 23 Aug 2021 morning arrival in Neustift im Stubaital, parking, buying food and drink
  2. 23 Aug 2021 - dinner and overnight at the Innsbrucker Hütte; stage 10 km, climb 660 m
  3. 24 Aug 2021 - lunch at Bremer Hütte; stage 12 km, 680 m ascent
  4. 24 Aug 2021 - dinner and overnight at the Nürnberger Hütte; stage 7 km, 360 m ascent
  5. 25 Aug 2021 - lunch at the Sulzenau Hütte; stage 6 km, 300 m ascent
  6. 25 Aug 2021 - dinner and overnight at the Dresdner Hütte; stage 7 km, 420 m ascent
  7. 26 Aug 2021 - lunch at Bergstation Eisgrat; stage 4 km, 400 m ascent; cable car to Top of Tyrol
  8. 26 Aug 2021 - overnight camping in Neustift

A four-day hike along the Stubaier Höhenweg in Tyrol

Starting point

The starting (and also the finishing) point for the Stubaier Höhenweg trek is the town of Neustift im Stubaital, which can be easily reached from Innsbruck. The initial hike up the ridge can be shortened by taking the Elferbahn cable car, which takes you up almost 1,000 metres. The large car park right next to the cable car is guarded and paid, but you can also park your car free of charge in one of the parking lots right in town.
 

Description of the hike

1. day

From Neustift, we will take the Elferbahn cable car up to the ridge. We enjoy the view of the Stubaital valley and the surrounding hills and pedal towards the Elferhütte. Here we don't linger too long and continue along a comfortable trail with no significant elevation gain and beautiful views of the Pinnistal valley before the trail starts to descend steeply into this valley to the Karalm hut. We have soup and beer in the garden and prepare for the final 600m climb to the Innsbrucker Hütte, where we spend the night. At first we naively thought that we could still make it up the 3,000m Habicht, but we don't have the time or strength for it (or any other 3,000m later on the way).
 

2. day

The longest stage awaits us, in fog and sometimes even unpleasant rain. On the way to Bremer Hütte we have to climb a total of 4 climbs and 12 km, but due to the weather we will not enjoy the whole day. Just before the hut, we can still take a slight detour to the Lautersee lake on a secured route of difficulty B, but we prefer the security of a direct route to the hut. After 5-6 hours we arrive soaking wet at the Bremer Hütte, which is not our final station, as it was booked long in advance. We change our wet socks, put our things in the drying room and sit down for lunch to regain our strength for the next journey.

At half past 4 in the afternoon, we set off further towards the Nürnburger Hütte, and I would describe the next stage as the most technically demanding, as we have to use metal rungs, ropes and ladders several times to overcome terrain obstacles. This six-kilometre stage consists of a 300-metre climb up to the Simmingjöchl saddle (2764 metres above sea level) followed by an even longer descent. The route was supposed to offer us breathtaking views of the surrounding area, but due to fog and clouds we can't see much. However, the beautiful area aptly called Paradies, situated along a mountain stream, is certainly worth mentioning. At 7pm we arrive at the hut, all dried out, where we put all our things to dry and look forward to dinner.

 

3. day

On the third day we plan to combine two stages again with the finish at Dresdner Hütte, but much shorter and less demanding. Moreover, after the morning fog, which broke shortly after climbing the Niederl saddle (2629 m), the mountain sun finally smiles on us for the rest of the day and helps us to enjoy the beautiful views of the surrounding area.

The road to Sulzenauhütte then leads downhill, passing a couple of mountain lakes, the most beautiful of which is clearly the turquoise blue Grünausee. Just before the hut itself, we turn off a short distance to a stunning panoramic viewpoint. On the terrace of the Sulzenauhütte hut, which is the destination of many day-trippers from the valley, we again indulge in soup and draft beer and move on.

The next stage again contains one 400m climb and a subsequent descent. We walk along the Sulzenaubach River on the so-called Wilde Wasser Weg towards the Sulzenauferner glacier, below which we then have a spectacular view of the glacial lake, which is filled with glacier run-off. Here we have to sit down for a while and enjoy the beauty of the mountain nature before we climb further up to the Beijloch saddle (2672 m). From here we can already see our destination and after an hour's steep descent on the rocks we arrive at the Dresdner Hütte in the early afternoon.

On the outdoor terrace, over coffee and strudel, we think about how to adjust our itinerary from the next day. After yesterday's experience with the exhausting journey, combined with the unfavourable weather forecast from tomorrow afternoon for the rest of the week, we know for sure that the next day we will probably not be able to reach the Franz Senn Hütte, 22 km away, and finish the whole Stubai trail.
 

4. day

On the fourth day we finally decide to take advantage of the last expected sunny weather by climbing the 4 km long trail 450 meters higher in the morning to the Bergstation Eisgrat cable car station, which stands at the foot of the large Stubai glacier. Here we board the cable car and are taken to a panoramic viewing platform called the Top of Tyrol at 3210 m above sea level on the summit of the Grosser Isidor. In fine weather, the view is amazing on all sides, so we can see all the important Tyrolean Alpine peaks, but also the Dolomites.

Then we take the cable car back down and go to the ice cave Eisgrotto. While Zdena and Lukas then decide to walk down to the valley from there, I decide to take the Eisgratbahn up the 1200m elevation with Tomas because of my aching knee. However, the journey itself is an experience, with a spacious cabin with 24 leather seats (and wifi) and views of the surroundings, as we wonder in vain about the technical design of the entire super-modern cable car.

At the bottom, we join the Wilde Wasser Weg hiking trail and walk through the picturesque Mutterbergtal valley along the wild Ruetz River, passing several waterfalls on the way, including the stunning Grawa-Wasserfall, falling from a height of 180 metres, and after about ten kilometres we board the bus that will take us back to Neustift. We manage to set up our tents at the local campsite before the rain starts, take a shower in the luxurious showers with radio, and sample the local specialty Tirolel Gröstl at the restaurant.
 

 

Difficulty

The entire Stubaier Höhenweg winds along the ridges of the Stubai Alps at an altitude of just over 2,000 metres above sea level, through high mountain saddles and valleys, for about 100 kilometres along rocky and forest paths. The route thus involves several steep ascents and descents, sometimes with the help of ladders and handholds in the rocks. There are a total of 8 mountain huts along the route where you can refresh yourself and spend the night. Due to the relatively full occupancy, it is necessary to book the huts for overnight stays in advance. At the same time, I recommend buying an Alpenverein membership, not only for the insurance, but also for the guaranteed minimum discount of €10 at each hut along the way.
 

Water availability

Water can be tapped or purchased at all the mountain huts, which are spaced 5 to 10 km apart.
 

Sleeping options

Overnight stay in mountain huts on the trail - price per night (Matrazenlager) € 25 - 35, discount € 10 for Alpenverein members, due to high occupancy, advance reservation required, half board available.
 

Mountain peaks

Along the way, there are plenty of views of the valley (Stubaital, Pinnistal, Gschnitztal, Mutterbergtal) as well as of the surrounding three-thousand peaks, which you can take a detour and climb (Habicht, Innere Wetterspitze, etc.), the possibility to take the cable car to the Top of Tyrol (3210 m)
 

Danger

The stage between the Bremer Hütte and the Nürnberger Hütte has several terrain obstacles where you need to help yourself with metal rungs, ropes and ladders. In one short "ferrata" section, you even have to jump over a rock overhang above a deep ravine with the help of fixed handrails.
 

Food

It is possible to buy hot food from the menu at the mountain huts, protein bars, nuts etc. are enough for hiking.
 

Attractions

The entire Stubaier Höhenweg is marked with yellow signposts, at several points it is possible to shorten it by descending into the valley or by cable car (at Elferhütte, Dresdnerhütte)
 

Posted by: 07. 02. 2025
Author:
David Pšenica
Author profile