Cold start into the mountain summer: Upper Austria’s hut season is open

Martin Gruber had to be the first. Not necessarily because he couldn’t wait any longer to brace himself against the stormy winter wind on the western high plateau of the Höllengebirge. But because tradition dictates it. It opens on Palm Sunday Hochleckenhaus (1572 meters). Every year, whatever the weather. The native of Salzburg, who lives in the Innviertel, started the summer season on April 2nd. Almost two meters of fresh snow has fallen since then and has not yet completely melted again. The paths from Taferlklause and Kienklause are nevertheless already being eagerly committed.

Not many hosts have yet shoveled their huts out of hibernation. Because it still needs a bit of time because of the sometimes large amounts of fresh snow.

Yesterday’s snow is now the cold season on the Traunstein. At least almost. There are only a few patches of snow left on the three marked trails. Roman Leitner and Michaela speedy opened that friends of nature house (1580 meters) therefore already on April 29th. Not only the Traunstein bees, who survived the winter well, live there. But this year also two young pedigree cats (British Shorthair).

In the immediate vicinity of the summit also has Gerald Auinger on April 29 the summer season on the Gmundnerhütte heralded. Auinger, who has been in charge of affairs on the Fahnenkogel (1666 meters) for 21 years, has active support again this year. Ehsan Kalantari, who fled to Austria from Iran eight years ago and has been working at the Gmundnerhütte since 2019, has spent the past few days making sure that the famous cheese dumplings live up to their good reputation.

Those who are currently looking at the Great Pyhrgas from the Windischgarsten Basin do not yet feel reminded of spring. Gabriel Povacz and Ingrid Lindlbauer still have it on offer: on April 29th they will be in their second season at the Hofalm (1305 meters) started, from May 5th you can spend the night there again. And Povacz and Lindlbauer have come up with something special this year: “Sustainable” is the name of the campaign where hikers arriving by public transport can spend the night on the Hofalm free of charge on July 12th and August 2nd. The sign for climate protection, which was initiated by the Alpenverein Spital am Pyhrn, also takes part in the already open one Bosruckhütte (Dates July 19, August 23).

Started due to technical problems with the generator set Martin Heidlmair, host of the neighboring Rohrauerhaus, not on April 29 as planned. The summer season is expected to start there at the end of this week. Under the karst walls of the opposite Warscheneck Harry hell the Dümlerhütte (1495 meters) woke up from a short hibernation on April 28th. The Zellerhütte will not follow until May 13 due to renovation work.

One hut, three hosts

Max Verwagner before the start of the season on May 13th, he is not only faced with problems due to the late onset of winter: he is looking for his Goisererhütte (1592 meters) another “all-rounder”. Preferably someone who can cook. “Or someone who dares to at least”, says Verwagner. Anyone who would like to work under the Indian head on the Hohen Kalmberg should contact Verwagner by telephone: 0660 5689018

have everything together Leon, Nu and Gabi. Because that Hochkogel housewhich will open on May 26th, has three new landlords – equal rights, without hierarchy. “We actually hoped that we could get started on May 18th. But the way to us is still under a thick blanket of snow. If the cable car route isn’t free yet, it simply won’t work”says Leon Matev, who has worked on the Hochkogel, which can be reached from Lake Offensee, for the past few years.

“November will be interesting”

Thomas Poltura currently sees a good booking situation in Upper Austria, as the Austrian Alpine Club (OEAV) had promised for this summer, especially on the weekends. “There are already some reservations, but not in a way that I can say we’re being overrun”, he says. The regional board of the Alpine Club sees a shift in the season due to the climatic changes: “In the future, the question will be whether November will not also count as a hiking autumn”he says.

All mountain huts in Upper Austria should open their doors by the beginning of June. It’s not yet certain with the Riederhuette in the Hell Mountains. It is officially closed this year for renovation work. The sanitary facilities will also be renewed as announced. According to reports, the Ried AV section is in negotiations with a new tenant, who could also imagine operating this season. The future of the Grünburgerhütte is also currently in the stars.

But for the time being, we can only hope that May will actually make everything new. But at least the color: from white to green.

Summer season 2023: Dates

Already opened:

• Traunsteinhaus (1580 meters), Gmunden
• Gmundnerhütte (1666 meters), Gmunden
• Hofalm (1305 meters), hospital at the Pyhrn
• Bosruckhütte (1042 meters), hospital at the Pyhrn
• Dümlerhütte (1495 meters), Roßleithen
• Ennserhütte (1293 meters), Großraming
• Schobersteinhaus (1260 meters), Trattenbach/Molln
• Hochleckenhaus (1572 meters), Altmünster
• Steyrerhütte (1400 meters), Steyrling
• Gasselhütte (1225 meters), Ebensee (MI-SO)
• Almtalerhaus (714 meters), Grünau im Almtal
• Anton Schosser Hut (1158 meters), Losenstein

Opening soon:

• Zellerhütte (May 13), Vorderstoder
• Goiserer Hut (May 13), Bad Goisern/Gosau
• Hochmölbinghütte (May 18), Wörschach/Hinterstoder
• Simonyhütte (May 22), Obertraun/Hallstatt
• Hochkogelhaus (May 26), Ebensee
• Wiesberghaus (May 26), Hallstatt
• Welserhütte (May 27), Grünau im Almtal
• Pühringerhütte (June 1), Grundlsee
• Prielschutzhaus (1 June), Hinterstoder
• Hofpürglhütte (3 June), Gosau/Filzmoos
• Adamekhütte (June 8), Gosau