Höchsterhütte am Grünsee - Rifugio Canziani al Lago Verde

Höchsterhütte am Grünsee sits at 2,522m on the shore of Lago Verde in the Zillertal Alps. Reach it from the village of Schlegeis by hiking 2.5 hours up the valley trail. The path is well-marked and not technical. Most hikers approach from the south via Mayrhofen in Austria, crossing into Italy near the Zillertal Reservoir.

The rifugio sleeps 40 across simple dormitory rooms and a few doubles. Meals are hearty mountain food—pasta, schnitzel, local cheeses. The kitchen serves breakfast and a three-course dinner. Water comes from the lake. There are no showers, but you can wash at the sink. The hut runs from June through September. The location makes it a solid base for day walks around the lake and scrambling on the surrounding peaks, or a convenient overnight stop on multi-day routes crossing into the Ötztal.

Call ahead to reserve beds, especially for weekends and July–August. The hut staff speak German and Italian. Arrive by mid-afternoon to secure dinner. Cell signal is weak but usually works near the main building. The nearest supply shop is in Mayrhofen, several hours' walk away, so bring what you need.