Braunschweiger Hütte

The Braunschweiger Hütte is a Category I mountain hut owned and operated by the Sektion Braunschweig of the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV), the German Alpine Club. It sits at 2,759 metres above sea level in the Ötztal Alps, at the very end of the Pitztal near Mittelberg in the Austrian state of Tyrol. The hut is a well-known stop on the European long-distance hiking trail E5 and serves as a base for mountaineers and hikers exploring the surrounding glaciers and peaks. Built in 1892, the hut was expanded in 1932 and 1965. A comprehensive renovation took place between 2010 and 2012, which included the addition of a seminar room. The hut offers sleeping places, a kitchen open from 09:00 to 19:15, and a webcam. A winter room was historically available but is currently closed due to vandalism that left it without heating. The Braunschweiger Hütte is more than just accommodation; it is a cultural and spiritual waypoint in the high Alps. A chapel was established inside the hut in 1930, following the first Holy Mass held there in 1926. When the chapel had to be removed during the 2012 renovation, plans for a replacement began in 2016. In summer 2019 a foundation was laid nearby, and in summer 2021 a free-standing ecumenical Marian chapel was erected. It was consecrated in summer 2022. Access to the hut is typically from Mittelberg via a 3-hour hike gaining about 1,000 metres of elevation, or by taking the Pitztaler Gletscherexpress cable car to 2,841 m and crossing the Mittelbergferner glacier. From Sölden, hikers can reach the hut via the Pitztaler Jöchl or the Rettenbachjoch. The hut is a starting point for numerous tours, including the Wildspitze (3,772 m), the highest peak in the Ötztal Alps, as well as the Innere Schwarze Schneid, Linker Fernerkogel, Karleskogel, Karleskopf, and Grabkogel. The Franz-Auer-Klettergarten, a climbing garden with five routes, is nearby. The hut also serves as a link to other mountain huts such as the Rheinland-Pfalz-Biwak, Breslauer Hütte, Vernagthütte, Taschachhaus, and Rüsselsheimer Hütte. The Braunschweiger Hütte is a classic example of an Alpine Club hut, providing essential shelter and services in a high-mountain environment. It is a key piece of infrastructure for Alpine tourism in the Ötztal region and is deeply integrated into the network of trails and huts maintained by the DAV and other Alpine associations.

The Braunschweiger Hütte was built in 1892 by the Sektion Braunschweig of the Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV). It was expanded in 1932 and again in 1965. A major general renovation took place between 2010 and 2012, during which a seminar room was added. The hut has been a fixture in the Ötztal Alps for over a century, providing shelter and services to mountaineers and hikers. A significant aspect of the hut's history is its religious function. The first Holy Mass was held in the hut on 8 August 1926. In 1930, a chapel was established inside the hut. This chapel had to be removed during the 2012 renovation. Planning for a replacement began in 2016. In summer 2019, a foundation was laid not far from the hut, and in summer 2021, a free-standing ecumenical Marian chapel was erected on it. The chapel was consecrated in summer 2022. The hut is located at 2,759 m above sea level at the end of the Pitztal near Mittelberg. It lies on the European long-distance hiking trail E5. Access is typically from Mittelberg via a 3-hour hike, or via the Pitztaler Gletscherexpress cable car and a glacier crossing. From Sölden, access is via the Pitztaler Jöchl or Rettenbachjoch. The hut is a base for tours to the Wildspitze (3,772 m), Innere Schwarze Schneid (3,369 m), Linker Fernerkogel (3,277 m), Karleskogel (3,107 m), Karleskopf (2,901 m), and Grabkogel (3,051 m). The Franz-Auer-Klettergarten is nearby. The hut also serves as a waypoint for transitions to other huts such as the Rheinland-Pfalz-Biwak, Breslauer Hütte, Vernagthütte, Taschachhaus, and Rüsselsheimer Hütte. In recent years, the winter room has been closed due to vandalism that left it without heating. The hut continues to operate in the summer season, with sleeping places reserved until 18:00 and the kitchen open from 09:00 to 19:15. The 2026 season is scheduled from 8 June to 23 September.

• 2022

  New chapel consecrated in summer.

• 2021

  Free-standing ecumenical Marian chapel erected in summer.

• 2019

  Foundation for the new chapel laid in summer.

• 2016

  Planning begins for a replacement chapel.

• 2012

  General renovation completed; chapel removed; seminar room added.

• 2010

  General renovation begins (completed 2012).

• 1965

  The hut is expanded again.

• 1932

  The hut is expanded.

• 1930

  A chapel is established inside the hut.

• 1926

  First Holy Mass held in the hut on 8 August.

• 1892

  The Braunschweiger Hütte is built by the DAV Sektion Braunschweig.

A traditional Category I Alpine Club hut serving as a key base for mountaineering and hiking in the Ötztal Alps, operated by the DAV Braunschweig Section.

• Overnight accommodation

  Sleeping places for hikers and mountaineers, reserved until 18:00.

• Kitchen service

  Open from 09:00 to 19:15.

• Seminar room

  Added during the 2010-2012 renovation.

• Webcam

  Live view from the hut available on the website.

• Winter room

  Currently closed due to vandalism; no heating available.

1. 1Braunschweiger Hütte - Official Websitebraunschweiger-huette.at
2. 2Braunschweiger Hütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Braunschweiger Hütte - Wikidatawikidata.org