Enzianhütte

The Enzianhütte sits at 1160m in the Ammergau Alps, a quieter corner of the Bavarian Alps south of Peiting. You reach it from the village of Unterammergau: take the well-marked trail heading southeast toward the Hochplatte massif. The walk takes 2.5 to 3 hours from the village. You can also approach from Ettal, adding another 30 minutes. It's a steady climb through mixed forest with occasional clearings that give views toward the higher ridges.

This is a working DAV hut run by volunteers from the local Alpine club. It sleeps around 30 people in mixed dormitories and a few double rooms. The keeper serves hot meals at lunch and dinner, and you can order a packed breakfast. They have a decent wine list. Toilets and washing facilities are basic but clean. The hut is open year-round but check ahead for winter staffing. Phone or email to arrange meals outside standard service hours.

Book direct by phone or email at least two weeks ahead, especially for weekends. July and August fill up regularly. The hut works on an honor system for payment if the keeper is out. A car park at Unterammergau is your best starting point if you're driving; there's no road access to the hut itself. This is solid local hiking territory where you'll meet more Munich club members than tourists.