Kaunergrathütte

Kaunergrathütte is an alpine hut owned and operated by the Mainz section of the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). It is situated in the Ötztal Alps in Tyrol, Austria, south of the Verpeilspitze and northeast of the Watzespitze, the main summit of the Kaunergrat ridge. The hut lies in the western part of the municipality of St. Leonhard im Pitztal, near the border with the municipality of Kaunertal. At an elevation of approximately 2,820 metres, it is the highest hut in the Pitztal valley and is located about 200 metres below the Madatschjoch, a pass leading into the Kaunertal. The hut does not have a material cable car. The hut was built in 1903 by the Academic Section Graz of the German and Austrian Alpine Club. Over the following decades it was expanded and renovated several times. In 2003, after 100 years, the Mainz section of the German Alpine Club took over the hut and continued the fundamental renovation of the mountaineering accommodation. Kaunergrathütte serves as a base for numerous mountain tours. The most frequently climbed peaks from the hut include the Plangeroßkopf (3,053 m), Parstleswand (3,091 m), Verpeilspitze (3,425 m), Watzespitze (3,533 m) via the east ridge, and Seekarlesschneid (3,208 m) via the west ridge. The hut can be reached via three different routes from the Pitztal: the easiest ascent from Plangeroß takes about 3½ hours; another route leads from the Rifflsee, accessible by cable car from Mandarfen, via the Cottbuser Höhenweg in 3 to 4 hours; and a third variant goes from Trenkwald over the Neururer Alpe, Mittelberglessee, Saßen, and Steinbockjoch on the south spur of the Parstleswand, taking about 5½ hours. The hut is also a stop on the route over the Madatschjoch (3,020 m) to the Verpeilhütte and down into the Kaunertal. As a facility of the German Alpine Club, Kaunergrathütte is part of a network of mountain huts that provide accommodation and food for hikers and climbers. It is typically open during the summer season and offers dormitory-style lodging and simple meals. The hut is an important infrastructure for tourism and mountaineering in the Pitztal region.

Kaunergrathütte was built in 1903 by the Academic Section Graz of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (Deutscher und Österreichischer Alpenverein). At that time, the hut served as a base for mountaineers exploring the Kaunergrat ridge and the surrounding Ötztal Alps. Over the following decades, the hut was repeatedly expanded and renovated to meet the growing demands of alpine tourism. In 2003, exactly 100 years after its construction, the Mainz section of the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV) took over the hut. The Mainz section continued the fundamental renovation of the mountaineering accommodation, ensuring its continued operation as a mountain hut. The hut remains an important facility for hikers and climbers in the Pitztal valley, offering shelter and services in a high-alpine environment.

• 2003

  Mainz section of the German Alpine Club takes over the hut and continues its renovation.

• 1903

  Hut built by the Academic Section Graz of the German and Austrian Alpine Club.

A traditional alpine club hut in the Ötztal Alps, serving as a base for mountaineering and hiking in the Pitztal region.

• Overnight accommodation

  Dormitory-style lodging for mountaineers and hikers.

• Meals and refreshments

  Simple meals and drinks served at the hut.

1. 1Kaunergrathütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Kaunergrathütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Kaunergrathütte - DAV Mainzdav-mainz.de