Kienthalerhütte

The Kienthalerhütte is a mountain shelter (Schutzhütte) located on the southwestern slopes of the Schneeberg in Lower Austria, Austria. It sits at the foot of the 1,416-metre Turmstein peak, at the end of the Weichtal valley and above the Höllental gorge. The hut is owned and maintained by the Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler, a section of the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK), and serves hikers, climbers and nature lovers exploring the Rax-Schneeberg region. The story of the Kienthalerhütte begins with the founding of the Alpine Gesellschaft D'Kienthaler in 1892. The society was established as a section of the Niederösterreichischer Gebirgsverein (NÖGV) with its seat in Vienna. According to tradition, the name derives from walks taken by early members through the shady 'Kienthal' in Hinterbrühl. In 1894 the society received permission to build a weather shelter on the Schneeberg, and construction began in July 1896. The hut was ceremonially opened on 13 September 1896. Over the following decades the hut became a beloved base for alpine excursions. It was expanded in 1936/37, and after World War II the society reorganized: in 1946 it joined the Österreichischer Touristenklub and was renamed 'Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler, Sektion des Österreichischen Touristenklub'. The hut itself has undergone several renovations, including the reconstruction of a large retaining wall that slid away in 1975 and was laboriously restored by 1977, and the installation of a water supply from the Anna spring in 1978. In the early 2020s the hut received a comprehensive renovation—described on the official website as a 'new dress' after 130 years—giving it a modernized appearance while preserving its historic character. Today the Kienthalerhütte remains an active mountain hut offering food, accommodation and shelter to visitors. It lies on the Nordalpen Weitwanderweg 01 long-distance trail and is a popular destination for hikers approaching via the scenic Weichtalklamm gorge or the Ferdinand-Mayr-Weg. The hut also serves as a base for climbers tackling the Turmstein via ferrata (difficulty B). The Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler continues to manage the hut and organizes activities, maintains trails and promotes alpine safety, with warnings about hazards such as heavy rain and snow in the gorge.

The Kienthalerhütte is a mountain shelter on the southwestern Schneeberg in Lower Austria, owned and operated by the Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler, a section of the Österreichischer Touristenklub (ÖTK). Its history is closely tied to the alpine society that built it. The society was founded in 1892 as 'Alpine Gesellschaft D'Kienthaler', a section of the Niederösterreichischer Gebirgsverein (NÖGV) based in Vienna. The name is said to derive from walks taken by members through the shady 'Kienthal' in Hinterbrühl. In 1894 the society obtained permission to build a weather shelter on the Schneeberg, on land owned by the City of Vienna. Construction began in July 1896, and the hut was ceremonially opened on 13 September 1896. In 1898 most alpine associations, including the Kienthaler, left the NÖGV, and the society became independent. In 1903 it concluded an agreement with the Österreichischer Touristenklub regarding the trail network on the southern Schneeberg. In 1938 the Alpenrosehütte on the Sauwand near Mariazell was acquired. Also in 1938, the society was forcibly incorporated into the Deutscher Alpenverein (German Alpine Club). The hut itself was expanded in 1936/37. After World War II, on 14 November 1946, the society's name was changed to 'Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler, Sektion des Österreichischen Touristenklub' and it adopted the statutes of the ÖTK, becoming a section of that club. Later decades saw further work on the hut and its surroundings. In 1975 a large part of the retaining wall in front of the hut slid away; it was laboriously restored by 1977. In 1978 a water supply line was installed from the Anna spring. In the early 2020s the hut underwent a comprehensive renovation—described on the official website as a 'new dress' after 130 years—which dramatically changed its appearance for only the second time in its history (the first being the expansion in the 1930s). Today the Kienthalerhütte remains an active mountain hut and a destination for hikers and climbers. It lies on the Nordalpen Weitwanderweg 01 and is reached via the Weichtalklamm gorge or the Ferdinand-Mayr-Weg, among other routes. The society continues to manage the hut, maintain trails and promote alpine safety.

• 2020

  Comprehensive renovation of the hut begins (completed in early 2020s), giving it a 'new dress' after 130 years.

• 1978

  Water supply line from the Anna spring installed.

• 1977

  The retaining wall is restored after laborious work.

• 1975

  A large part of the retaining wall in front of the hut slides away.

• 1946

  On 14 November the society is renamed 'Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler, Sektion des Österreichischen Touristenklub' and joins the ÖTK.

• 1938

  Alpenrosehütte on the Sauwand near Mariazell acquired; society forcibly incorporated into the Deutscher Alpenverein.

• 1936

  The hut is expanded (1936/37).

• 1903

  Agreement with the Österreichischer Touristenklub regarding the trail network on the southern Schneeberg.

• 1898

  The Kienthaler leave the NÖGV and become independent.

• 1896

  Construction of the Kienthalerhütte begins in July; hut ceremonially opened on 13 September.

• 1894

  Society receives permission to build a weather shelter on the Schneeberg.

• 1892

  Alpine Gesellschaft D'Kienthaler founded as a section of the Niederösterreichischer Gebirgsverein (NÖGV) in Vienna.

A traditional, member-run alpine shelter offering simple hospitality and a base for hiking and climbing on the Schneeberg, with a strong emphasis on trail stewardship and alpine safety.

• Kienthalerhütte mountain hut

  A Schutzhütte offering shelter, food and accommodation to hikers and climbers on the Schneeberg.

• Alpenrosehütte

  A second hut on the Sauwand near Mariazell, acquired by the society in 1938.

1. 1Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler - Aktuelleskienthaler.at
2. 2Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler - 2026kienthaler.at
3. 3Alpine Gesellschaft Kienthaler - Geschichtekienthaler.at
4. 4Kienthalerhütte - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
5. 5Kienthalerhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org