Obergasteigalm
1.5
Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
About
Obergasteigalm sits at 2,237m in the Zillertal Alps, on the border between Trentino and South Tyrol. Reach it from Mayrhofen (Austria) via the Zillertal valley, or from the Trentino side via the Forno valley. Most hikers approach from Mayrhofen, taking 2.5–3 hours from the Penken cable car station. The final section climbs steeply through larch forest before opening to pasture and the hut. You can also reach it in 3–3.5 hours from Ginzling to the south.
The hut sleeps 18 people in simple dorm rooms and has a basic restaurant serving hearty South Tyrolean fare: speck, cheese, and filling soups. Rooms have no en-suite facilities; bathrooms are shared. There's no electricity, so light comes from oil lamps and the kitchen uses a wood stove. Water comes from a spring. The hut operates year-round, though winter visits require self-sufficiency. The keeper is welcoming and maintains the place with minimal infrastructure—expect rusticity.
Book directly by phone or via email; there's no website. Reserve at least 2–3 weeks ahead in July and August. The hut is quieter in shoulder seasons (June, September). It's a genuine working alpine pasture, not a hostel, so arrive with realistic expectations about comfort and amenities.
The hut sleeps 18 people in simple dorm rooms and has a basic restaurant serving hearty South Tyrolean fare: speck, cheese, and filling soups. Rooms have no en-suite facilities; bathrooms are shared. There's no electricity, so light comes from oil lamps and the kitchen uses a wood stove. Water comes from a spring. The hut operates year-round, though winter visits require self-sufficiency. The keeper is welcoming and maintains the place with minimal infrastructure—expect rusticity.
Book directly by phone or via email; there's no website. Reserve at least 2–3 weeks ahead in July and August. The hut is quieter in shoulder seasons (June, September). It's a genuine working alpine pasture, not a hostel, so arrive with realistic expectations about comfort and amenities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2–3 weeks ahead for weekends and July–August; weekdays outside peak season need less notice. Contact the hut directly or check rifugio.net and the SAT (South Tyrol Alpine Club) website for availability.
Typically open June to September, depending on snow conditions; confirm opening dates before your trip, as alpine weather can shift schedules.
From Mayrhofen (Austria), take the Penken cable car down to the station, then hike 2.5–3 hours via steep larch forest to the hut; alternatively, approach from Ginzling (Trentino side) in 3–3.5 hours.
The hut has 18 beds in simple dorms, serves meals (typically mountain fare like pasta and soups), and offers basic facilities; hot showers may be limited, so check when booking.
It's suitable for experienced hikers comfortable with steep terrain; families with mountain-hiking experience can manage it, but the final climb is exposed and not ideal for young children or those new to Alpine hiking.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- AVS
- Season
- –
- Total
- Dormitory
- Emergency
- Private rooms
Facilities
Breakfast
Half board
Meals served
Drinking water
Contact & Booking
- Phone
- Website
- https://www.obergasteigalm.eu