Klagenfurter Hütte

The Klagenfurter Hütte (Slovene: Celovška Koča) is an alpine mountain hut located at 1,664 metres above sea level in the Karawanks (Karawanken) range in Carinthia, Austria. It sits at the southern foot of the Kosiak peak, within the Bärental valley in the municipality of Feistritz im Rosental, and is owned and operated by the Klagenfurt section of the Austrian Alpine Club (Österreichischer Alpenverein, ÖAV). The hut offers sweeping views of the Hochstuhl massif and its neighbouring peaks. The hut is a traditional Schutzhaus (shelter house) serving hikers, climbers, and mountaineers. It is normally open from mid-May to October, with only irregular service in winter. It functions as a base for long-distance hikers on the Südalpenweg (Southern Alps Way), the Kärntner Grenzweg, the Panoramaweg Südalpen, and the second stage of the Julius Kugy Alpine Trail. The area around the hut is also popular for ski touring and snowshoeing in winter. The Klagenfurter Hütte is not directly accessible by car. The usual approach is from the Johannsenruhe car park (about 1,200 m) in the Bärental valley, reached via Feistritz im Rosental, taking just under two hours on foot for most hikers and about one hour for experienced walkers. An alternative ascent from the Gasthof Stouhütte car park adds about an hour. From Bodental, the steep Stinzesteig trail takes about 2.5 hours. From Slovenia, hikers may approach via the Prešernova Koča (Preschern Hut). The hut is also reachable by mountain bike on an explicitly signposted route, though the demanding climb from Feistritz im Rosental involves roughly 1,100 metres of elevation gain over about 12 kilometres, with the steepest sections at the end. From the hut, numerous mountain tours are possible. The Hochstuhl, known as the "King of the Karawanks," can be reached via a normal route (about 2.5 hours) or a well-maintained via ferrata (difficulty B/C), with the ferrata approach taking 30 to 45 minutes from the hut and the full ascent to the summit taking about 3 to 3.5 hours. The Kosiak, the hut's local mountain, is easily reached in about an hour via the Franz-Zopp-Weg, a circular route over grassy slopes. The Bielschitza can be climbed in about an hour to the Bielschitza Sattel and then about 20 minutes to the summit, with only a short exposed section near the top. The Vertatscha is also accessible via the Bielschitza Sattel, heading southeast instead of west toward the Hochstuhl. The hut was first leased in 1894 and opened on 16 September 1906. It was expanded in 1933, burned down by partisans on 18 May 1943, and reopened in 1952 after three years of reconstruction. From 2014 to late summer 2016, it underwent a comprehensive renovation that improved technical facilities, enlarged the guest room, renewed the WC facilities, and created a large bar counter. The Klagenfurter Hütte remains an active and well-visited destination for outdoor recreation in the Carinthian Karawanks.

The area of the Klagenfurter Hütte was leased by the Klagenfurt section of the Austrian Alpine Club (ÖAV) in 1894. The hut itself was opened on 16 September 1906. In 1933, the hut was expanded. On 18 May 1943, during World War II, it was burned down by partisans. After the war, following a three-year construction period, it was reopened in 1952. From 2014 until late summer 2016, the hut underwent a comprehensive renovation (Generalsanierung). During this renovation, the technical infrastructure was improved, the guest room was enlarged, the WC facilities were renewed, and a large bar counter was created. The hut remains owned by the Sektion Klagenfurt of the Österreichischer Alpenverein and continues to serve as a mountain shelter and base for hikers and climbers in the Karawanks.

• 2016

  The comprehensive renovation is completed in late summer.

• 2014

  A comprehensive renovation begins.

• 1952

  After a three-year reconstruction, the hut is reopened.

• 1943

  On 18 May, the hut is burned down by partisans.

• 1933

  The hut is expanded.

• 1906

  The Klagenfurter Hütte is opened on 16 September.

• 1894

  The area of the Klagenfurter Hütte is leased by the Klagenfurt section of the Austrian Alpine Club.

Traditional alpine shelter and base for mountaineering in the Karawanks, operated by the Austrian Alpine Club.

• Alpine hut accommodation and meals

  Overnight stays and food service for hikers and mountaineers, typically from mid-May to October.

1. 1Klagenfurter Hütte official websiteklagenfurterhuette.at
2. 2Klagenfurter Hütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3Klagenfurter Hütte - Wikidatawikidata.org