Lankhütte

The Lankhütte sits at 1,920m on the northern flank of the Säntis massif in Vorarlberg, offering straightforward access to the Alpstein range. Reach it from Appenzell (Switzerland) via the Säntis cable car and a 1.5-hour descent, or hike up from Wasserauen in 3 hours. The approach is well-marked and gains 800m. Most parties approach from the Swiss side for speed, but you can access it from Austrian valleys too. The location puts you on established ridge routes toward Säntis (2,502m) and deeper into the Alpstein for multi-day tours.
The hut is managed by the Austrian Alpine Club (OeAV) and operates as a straightforward base camp rather than a destination in itself. It has around 80 beds split between a main dormitory and smaller rooms. Meals are simple and hearty—self-catering is not an option. The kitchen produces packed lunches if you order them the night before. Water comes from a spring; showers are available. It opens year-round but is quietest October to April. Winter access requires good snow skills.
Book by phone direct with the hut keeper. During July and August, call 1–2 months ahead. The hut fills quickly on weekends year-round. Arrive by mid-afternoon if you want a choice of beds. The hut attracts a mix of Swiss and Austrian hikers, so expect German-language conversations at dinner.