Payerhütte - Rifugio Payer
3.8About
Payerhütte sits at 3,029m on the Zillertal Alps, at the head of the Zillergrund valley in the Ötztal. Reach it from Mayrhofen in Austria (about 90 minutes drive) via the Zillertal to Zillertaler Höhenstrasse, then the parking area at Floite (1,570m). The hike takes 4–5 hours with 1,450m elevation gain. The trail is marked but steep in sections. Most parties start at dawn.
The hut sleeps 80 across dormitory rooms. Meals are available; book dinner the evening before. Water comes from snowmelt—reliable in summer, limited in early season. Showers require a small fee. The hut is a base for the Zemmerjoch traverse, climbs to Wilder Freiger (3,418m), and access to the Zillertal Höhenstrasse chain of huts. Open mid-June to mid-September, depending on snow. Managed by CAI Milano, it runs on Italian Alpine Club standards.
Book direct by email or phone. July and August fill by mid-May. June and September are quieter. The hut is Italian territory but sits on the Austrian border; bring your ID. Expect to pay in euros. The approach is long and remote—poor weather can trap you for days. Don't arrive expecting immediate turns; plan 2–3 nights minimum for any meaningful objective.
The hut sleeps 80 across dormitory rooms. Meals are available; book dinner the evening before. Water comes from snowmelt—reliable in summer, limited in early season. Showers require a small fee. The hut is a base for the Zemmerjoch traverse, climbs to Wilder Freiger (3,418m), and access to the Zillertal Höhenstrasse chain of huts. Open mid-June to mid-September, depending on snow. Managed by CAI Milano, it runs on Italian Alpine Club standards.
Book direct by email or phone. July and August fill by mid-May. June and September are quieter. The hut is Italian territory but sits on the Austrian border; bring your ID. Expect to pay in euros. The approach is long and remote—poor weather can trap you for days. Don't arrive expecting immediate turns; plan 2–3 nights minimum for any meaningful objective.
Frequently Asked Questions
Book 2–4 weeks ahead during July–August, especially for weekends; shoulder season (June, September) needs less notice. Call the hut directly or check rifugio.net for availability.
Open June to September; peak staffing July–August. May and early June depend on snow conditions and staff availability—call ahead to confirm.
Drive to Mayrhofen (Austria, ~90 min from Ötztal), follow Zillertal to the Floite parking area (1,570m), then hike 4–5 hours with 1,450m elevation gain on a marked but steep trail; most parties start before dawn.
80 beds in dormitory rooms, hot meals available (order dinner the evening before), and water from snowmelt; check directly for shower availability given the alpine location.
Not ideal for beginners—the 4–5 hour approach with 1,450m gain and steep sections requires solid fitness and mountain sense. Better for experienced hikers and mountaineers using it as a base for alpine peaks.
Location
46.5277, 10.5434
HutLists Score
3.8
Overall
Facilities
Access
Season
Based on facilities, access, and how reliably the hut is open.
Quick Facts
- Managing club
- CAI CAI Milano
- Total
- 80
Facilities
Breakfast
Half board
Meals served
Drinking water
Contact & Booking
- [email protected]
- Phone
- +39 0473 613010
- Website
- https://www.payerhuette.com/
Activities
Featured In
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