Kürsingerhütte

The Kürsingerhütte is a mountain hut (Schutzhütte) of the Salzburg section of the Austrian Alpine Club (Österreichischer Alpenverein), situated at 2,558 metres above sea level below the Keeskogel in the Hohe Tauern range of Austria. It lies within the core zone of the Hohe Tauern National Park and serves as one of the principal bases for high-alpine tours to the Großvenediger (3,657 m), alongside the Neue Prager Hütte and the Defreggerhaus. The hut is named after Ignaz von Kürsinger, the Pfleger (administrator) of Mittersill, who was a main organiser and member of the first ascent party of the Großvenediger. The first shelter on the site was built in 1842, a few metres from the present position. A second hut was erected in 1875 at the same spot and named after Kürsinger. The current north-east wing was constructed in 1885/86, and further buildings were added between 1886 and 1938. The most extensive renovation and conversion works — including a material cable car, water supply and electricity — took place between 1977 and 1983, giving the hut its distinctive appearance with six gables. Today the Kürsingerhütte offers alpine hospitality with modern amenities, comfortable accommodation, and a range of services for mountaineers and nature lovers. It is an ideal starting point for summit tours and glacier walks, and provides optimal conditions for courses and training on the glacier. A shuttle service shortens the approach in both winter and summer. The hut is also an important waypoint on the Zentralalpenweg, a long-distance trail from Hainburg an der Donau to Feldkirch. The standard ascent from Neukirchen am Großvenediger (835 m) via the Hopffeldboden (1,080 m) and the Berndlalm (1,500 m) takes about 5½ hours. Popular tours from the hut include the Großvenediger over the Obersulzbachkees (approx. 4 hours), the Schlieferspitze (3,290 m, approx. 4 hours), the Großer Geiger (3,360 m, approx. 4½ hours), the Keeskogel (3,291 m, approx. 2 hours, glacier-free), the Gamsspitzl (2,888 m, approx. 3 hours), the Sonntagskopf (3,125 m, approx. 3½ hours) and the Bachmayrspitze (3,120 m, approx. 2 hours). Transitions to other huts include the Defreggerhaus (approx. 4½ hours), Warnsdorfer Hütte (approx. 3½ hours), Essener-Rostocker Hütte (approx. 4½ hours), Johannishütte (approx. 3½ hours) and Neue Prager Hütte (approx. 4½ hours). The Kürsingerhütte is a commercial alpine hospitality operation under the umbrella of the Austrian Alpine Club, offering accommodation, food and guiding services. It is not a publicly listed company but a section-owned facility of a non-profit mountaineering association.

The history of the Kürsingerhütte begins in 1842, when the first shelter was built a few metres from the current position. In 1875 a second hut was erected at the same site and named after Ignaz von Kürsinger, the Pfleger of Mittersill, who was a main organiser and member of the group that made the first ascent of the Großvenediger. The present north-east wing of the building was constructed in 1885/86. Between 1886 and 1938 further buildings were added. The most extensive renovation and conversion works, including a material cable car, water supply and electricity, took place between 1977 and 1983, giving the hut its distinctive appearance with six gables. Today the hut is operated by the Salzburg section of the Austrian Alpine Club and serves as a key base for high-alpine tours in the Venediger group, as well as a waypoint on the Zentralalpenweg long-distance trail.

• 1983

  Completion of renovation works, giving the hut its six-gable appearance.

• 1977

  Major renovation and conversion works begin (1977–1983), including material cable car, water and electricity.

• 1886

  Further buildings added between 1886 and 1938.

• 1885

  Construction of the present north-east wing (1885/86).

• 1875

  Second hut built at the same site and named after Ignaz von Kürsinger.

• 1842

  First shelter built a few metres from the current position.

Alpine hospitality and mountaineering base in the Hohe Tauern National Park, operated by the Austrian Alpine Club.

• Accommodation

  Comfortable rooms and dormitories at 2,558 m.

• Food and beverages

  Alpine meals and drinks for guests.

• Courses and training

  Glacier and alpine courses near the hut.

• Shuttle service

  Comfortable shortening of the approach in winter and summer.

1. 1Kürsinger Hütte – Dein Weg zum Großvenedigerkuersinger.at
2. 2Kürsingerhütte – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Kürsingerhütte – Wikidatawikidata.org