Anna-Schutzhaus

The Anna-Schutzhaus is a mountain refuge (Schutzhütte) operated by the Dölsach section of the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK) in the East Tyrolean part of the Kreuzeck group. It sits at 1,992 metres above sea level below the Ederplan (2,062 m), the local mountain of Dölsach, within the municipality of Dölsach. The Kreuzeck-Höhenweg long-distance trail passes by the hut, and an official mountain-bike route leads up to it. The site has its origins in a small single-storey alpine hut built in 1882 by the painter Franz Defregger as his summer residence on the Ederplan. In 1887 Defregger gave the hut to the ÖTK, which adapted it and named it after his wife Anna; it opened in 1888. The building was extended in 1907/1908 with a four-metre-deep annex, a new kitchen was added in 1922, and a wooden hut was built in 1938. Until 1990 the refuge was looked after by the Lienz section of the ÖTK, after which it was handed over to the newly founded Dölsach section. A general renovation and ecologically sensitive extensions followed up to 1993, preserving the original character of the building, and in 2015 a modern photovoltaic system was put into operation. The hut is a single-storey, shingled log building with a veranda on the south-east side. Its gable roof is covered with wooden shingles and has partial dormers; the newer annex on the north-west side is built in natural stone. Inside, the parlour has a masonry barrel stove and an open fireplace. The location offers a wide panorama over the Lienzer Becken, the largest valley floor in Tyrol, with the Lienzer Dolomiten opposite, the Karnischer Hauptkamm with the Hohe Warte to the south, and the Villgratner Berge, Zettersfeld and, further north-west, the Schobergruppe to the west. As a serviced mountain hut, the Anna-Schutzhaus functions as a hospitality and accommodation brand within the ÖTK's network of refuges. It is a destination for hikers and mountain bikers, a base for summit climbs such as the Ederplan, Loneskopf and Ziethenkopf, and a waypoint on the transition to the Hugo-Gerbers-Hütte. Its identity is closely tied to its history as a painter's summer retreat and to its namesake, Anna Defregger.

The history of the Anna-Schutzhaus begins in 1882, when the painter Franz Defregger built a small single-storey alpine hut on the Ederplan as his summer residence. In 1887 he donated the hut to the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK), which adapted it and named it after his wife Anna; the refuge opened in 1888. In 1907/1908 the hut was extended with a four-metre-deep annex, in 1922 a new kitchen was added, and in 1938 a wooden hut was built. Until 1990 the refuge was managed by the Lienz section of the ÖTK. It was then handed over to the newly founded Dölsach section of the ÖTK. Up to 1993 a general renovation of the building and the construction of extensions were carried out under strict ecological principles while preserving the original character. In 2015 a modern photovoltaic system was put into operation. The building is a single-storey, shingled log construction with a veranda on the south-east side. The gable roof is covered with wooden shingles and has partial dormers. The new annex was executed in natural stone on the north-west side. In the parlour there is a masonry barrel stove and an open fireplace. The hut lies at 1,992 metres above sea level below the Dölsach local mountain Ederplan (2,062 m) in the municipality of Dölsach. The Kreuzeck-Höhenweg passes by the hut. The location offers a comprehensive view of the largest valley floor in Tyrol, the Lienzer Becken. Opposite stand the broad Lienzer Dolomiten; to the south there is a view of the Karnischer Hauptkamm with the Hohe Warte; to the west the Villgratner Berge, the Zettersfeld and further north-west the Schobergruppe can be seen. Access routes to the hut include the Zwischenbergersattel (1,446 m, toll road, walking time 1½–2 hours), Lengberg, Nikolsdorf and Trattenberg (about 4½ hours), Winklern via the Zwischenbergersattel (about 3½ hours), and Lainach via the Zwischenbergersattel (about 4 hours). An official MTB route leads to the hut. Summit climbs from the hut include the Ederplan (2,062 m) with the Heimkehrerkreuz (¼ hour), the Loneskopf (2,248 m, 2 hours) and the Ziethenkopf (2,483 m, 2 hours). A transition leads to the Hugo-Gerbers-Hütte (2,347 m, 6–7 hours).

• 2015

  A modern photovoltaic system is put into operation.

• 1993

  A general renovation and ecologically sensitive extensions are completed (carried out up to 1993).

• 1990

  Management passes from the ÖTK Lienz section to the newly founded ÖTK Dölsach section.

• 1938

  A wooden hut is built.

• 1922

  A new kitchen is added.

• 1907

  The hut is extended with a four-metre-deep annex (1907/1908).

• 1888

  The Anna-Schutzhaus opens.

• 1887

  Defregger donates the hut to the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK), which adapts it and names it after his wife Anna.

• 1882

  Painter Franz Defregger builds a small single-storey alpine hut on the Ederplan as his summer residence.

A historic, ecologically renovated alpine refuge of the Austrian Tourist Club in East Tyrol, valued for its panoramic location and its origins as painter Franz Defregger's summer retreat.

• Mountain refuge accommodation and catering

  Serviced alpine hut offering food, drink and overnight stays for hikers and mountain bikers.

• Kreuzeck-Höhenweg waypoint

  The long-distance trail passes by the hut.

• Summit access (Ederplan, Loneskopf, Ziethenkopf)

  Base for summit climbs and transition to the Hugo-Gerbers-Hütte.

1. 1Anna-Schutzhaus – Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Anna-Schutzhaus – Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Anna-Schutzhaus official websiteannaschutzhaus.com