I am planning a trip to Bavaria for my family (kids 8 to 14) in late May. As part of the trip I would like to do a 2 night hut to hut hike and would like opinions as to whether to go to Berchtesgaden or somewhere near the Zugspitze. Considerations are accessibility in that time frame (no snow), difficulty (max daily hike for 8 year old is probably 10k (6 miles), and I want an “authentic” hut to hut experience. Are the Karwendel Alps as beautiful as berchtesgaden? In Berchtesgaden, I was looking at the Jenner side, with a cable car up, a night at Steibsteinhaus then Gotzenalm, then taking the boat back. All suggestions are appreciated!!
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3298 posts
Can’t find a Steibsteinhaus. Do you mean Steinsee Hütte? Or Solsteinhaus?
And what does an authentic hut experience mean to you?
Posted by
OP
3 posts
I think the name is of the hut is Schneibsteinhaus, it is near the top of Jenner, 45 minutes from the chairlift I think?. I am not sure what I mean by an authentic hut experience. I’m thinking rustic with amazing views and good food with outdoor minded people hanging out talking about the cool stuff they’re doing with the hut keeper being a timeless soul that could be out of a fairytale. But I’ve never been to a European Hut!?!?!? :)
Posted by
Berlin
3083 posts
Likely means Schneibsteinhaus.
Posted by
28 posts
Hut hikes are Great! These links will take you to websites with information about many huts and hut to hut hikes generally. The hikes range from mild to very demanding. I'm certain there are many others. Sometimes they list hikes of several days but you can usually just choose a section that fits your schedule. In late May, you may want to avoid the highest elevations. If you're near the Zugspitze, you can go to the Austrian town of Ehrwald and take the Ehrwalder Almbahn (a ski tram) up and hike to the Coburger hut. It's an easier hike and just one night but a pretty hike to a hut set between two high mountain lakes with a view of the Zugspitze. For May, someone recommended to me the Three Lake Tour in the Schlierseer Alps. I understand that it is a lower elevation.
https://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/sports/hiking/hikes-to-mountain-huts
https://www.alpenverein.at/huetten/finder.php
https://www.tyrol.com/things-to-do/sports/hiking/refuge-huts
https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/hut-to-hut-hiking-in-austria/
Three Lakes Route (check for other information on this at Bergfex or similar websites): https://www.outdooractive.com/en/route/long-distance-hiking/bavarian-prealps/the-three-lakes-tour-a-leisurely-hut-hike-in-the-schliersee-mountains/16582506/
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thank you Salty Bay, great info.!
Keep it coming.
Posted by
TX
982 posts
I was also going to suggest looking at the Tegernsee and Schliersee area. Lots of huts to choose from and more moderate hiking for kids. And one bonus is you can start/end your hike at the Markus Wasmeier Open Air Museum in Schliersee.
https://www.tegernsee-schliersee.de/huetten-und-berggasthoefe
https://servus-schliersee.de/en/sightseeing/markus-wasmeier-open-air-museum/