Kemptner Hut
Kauk0r / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Kemptner Hut

4.1

Kemptner Hütte

1,844m Tyrol, Austria Write a review
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
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

4.1
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
[email protected]
Phone
+49 8322 700152
Website
https://www.kemptner-huette.de

Activities

Hiking Mountaineering

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