Gruttenhütte
Steffen 962 / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Gruttenhütte

4.2
1,620m Tyrol, Austria Write a review
Easy

About

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
Directions OpenStreetMap

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Don't forget to book

This hut takes bookings direct, so beds go to whoever asks first. Tell us your dates and we'll email you when it's time to reserve — with the hut's contact details.

We can't watch this hut's availability — it books direct. Give us your arrival date and we'll email you when it's time to get in touch, with the hut's phone and email.

Independent of the hut and its alpine club. We never book or hold beds — the reminder just tells you when to get in touch, with the hut's own contact details.

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

Activities

Hiking Family

Featured In

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