Moderate
About
The Kemptner Hütte lies at about 1,844 m high above the Sperrbachtobel gorge in the Allgäu Alps, on the border ridge between Bavaria and Tyrol. First built in 1891 and extensively rebuilt between 2020 and 2022, it is a large shelter of the Allgäu-Kempten section of the German Alpine Club (DAV) and one of the busiest huts in the range, best known as the first-night stop on the classic E5 Alpine crossing from Oberstdorf to Meran. It also anchors the demanding Heilbronner Weg along the main Allgäu ridge. The hut is spacious, with around 290 sleeping places, roughly 100 in multi-bed rooms and about 190 in mattress dormitories, plus an 8-berth winter room. The catered season runs from mid-June to early/mid-October. Contrary to some descriptions, the main approach is not a short valley walk: the standard ascent climbs from Oberstdorf via Spielmannsau and the Sperrbachtobel, about 4.5 hours, while the E5 route from Holzgau in the Lechtal over the Mädelejoch takes around 3.5 hours.
Access Routes
From Oberstdorf via Spielmannsau and Sperrbachtobel
4h
Moderate
The standard approach and first E5 stage, climbing through the Sperrbachtobel gorge from Spielmannsau, about 4.5 hours from Oberstdorf.
From Holzgau (Lechtal) over the Mädelejoch
3h
Moderate
From Holzgau in the Lech valley up over the Mädelejoch on the Tyrolean side, roughly 3.5 hours, the E5 approach from the south.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book ahead by phone on +49 8322 700152 or by email at [email protected]; details are on kemptner-huette.de. As an E5 stage hut it is very busy and reservations are essential in summer.
The hut is catered from mid-June to early or mid-October, weather depending. A well-equipped winter room with 8 places is accessible in the off-season.
The standard route from Oberstdorf goes via Spielmannsau and the Sperrbachtobel gorge, about 4.5 hours. From Holzgau in the Lechtal over the Mädelejoch it is around 3.5 hours.
The approaches are graded moderate, non-technical mountain hikes but they are long with significant ascent, so a fit beginner can manage them with an early start. It is the classic first stage of the E5 crossing.
It is a large, fully catered Alpine Club hut serving hot meals and drinks, with multi-bed rooms and mattress dormitories, modernised in the 2020–2022 rebuild.
Location
47.3134, 10.3278
HutLists Score
4.1
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- DAV Allgäu-Kempten
- Season
- June – October
- Beds
- 100
- Dormitory
- 190
- Min hiking time
- 4.5h
- Nearest trailhead
- Oberstdorf (Spielmannsau / Sperrbachtobel)
Facilities
Showers
Meals served
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +49 8322 700152
- Website
- https://www.kemptner-huette.de
Activities
Featured In
Featured in Guides
Free Packing Checklist
Get the printable Alpine Hut Packing Checklist, plus route guides and booking tips.