Gruttenhütte
4.2About
The Gruttenhütte sits at 1,620 m on the sunny southern flank of the Wilder Kaiser, high above the villages of Ellmau and Going in Tyrol. First opened in 1900 and completely rebuilt in 2017, it is one of the most popular bases in the Kaisergebirge for hiking, via ferrata and climbing, with the jagged limestone walls of the Ellmauer Halt rising directly behind it. The hut is owned and run by the Turner-Alpen-Kränzchen (TAK) section of the German Alpine Club (DAV) in Munich. It offers around 100 sleeping places, with roughly 79 beds in smaller multi-bed and twin rooms plus mattress dormitories, and includes a drying and boot room. The catered season runs from around Whitsun (late May) until the church-fair weekend in mid-October. The easiest and most common approach is a short, well-marked walk of about 1.5 hours from the Wochenbrunner Alm car park above Ellmau, gaining roughly 535 m, which makes the hut very family-friendly and a good springboard for the Kaiserkrone circuit and the ascent of the Ellmauer Halt. Overnight stays must be booked through the online reservation system.
Access Routes
From Wochenbrunner Alm (above Ellmau)
1h
Easy
A well-marked path from the Wochenbrunner Alm car park at 1,100 m climbs about 535 m to the hut. The quickest and most popular approach, suitable for families.
From Ellmau (valley)
2h
Moderate
A longer forest and meadow ascent from Ellmau itself for those not driving to the Wochenbrunner Alm, joining the main path higher up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight stays are handled through the hut's online reservation system. You can reach the hut by phone on +43 5358 2242, and more information is on gruttenhuette.at.
The hut is catered from around Whitsun (late May) until roughly mid-October, weather depending. Booking ahead is strongly recommended in high summer.
The simplest approach is about 1.5 hours from the Wochenbrunner Alm car park (1,100 m) above Ellmau, gaining around 535 m on a well-marked path.
Yes. The short, non-technical walk from the Wochenbrunner Alm makes it one of the more accessible Wilder Kaiser huts and a good family destination, though the surrounding via ferrata and summits are much more demanding.
As a fully catered Alpine Club hut it serves hot meals and drinks, and offers beds and dormitory places plus a drying and boot room. It was fully rebuilt in 2017 to modern standards.
Location
47.5535, 12.3111
HutLists Score
4.2
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- DAV Turner-Alpen-Kränzchen (München)
- Season
- May – October
- Beds
- 79
- Dormitory
- 21
- Min hiking time
- 1.5h
- Nearest trailhead
- Wochenbrunner Alm (above Ellmau)
Facilities
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- +43 5358 2242
- Website
- https://www.gruttenhuette.at
Featured In
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