Neue Bielefelder Hütte

The Neue Bielefelder Hütte (New Bielefeld Hut) is a mountain refuge operated by the Bielefeld Section of the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). It sits at 2,112 metres above sea level in the Stubai Alps of Tyrol, Austria, on the north-western side of the 3,007-metre Acherkogel, directly within the Hochoetz ski area. The hut is also known locally in dialect as 'Biilefaldar'. Its origins trace back to the Bielefeld Section's founding in 1893 and the construction of the original Bielefelder Hütte in 1914, which was destroyed by an avalanche in 1951. The present hut was built at its current location in 1953/54, giving rise to the name 'Neue Bielefelder Hütte'. The hut is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and mountain bikers in summer, and for skiers, snowshoe walkers, and ski tourers in winter. It offers accommodation in four-bed rooms and dormitories, with electricity, heating, separate washrooms, and a terrace with panoramic views over the Ötztal valley, Imst, the Lechtal Alps, the Mieminger chain, and the Hohe Riffler. Reservations are required, and in winter only half-board stays are bookable, with a minimum two-night stay on weekends. The hut is a stage point on the Knappenweg trail and serves as a base for ascents of the Acherkogel, Hochreichkopf, Wetterkreuz, and other peaks.

The history of the Neue Bielefelder Hütte is closely tied to the Bielefeld Section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuÖAV, later DAV). On 29 September 1893, Wilhelm Oltrogge, a Bielefeld citizen and enthusiastic hiker and mountaineer, invited the founding of a Bielefeld section. Thirty-eight people from Bielefeld and surroundings followed his invitation, becoming the 194th section of the German/Austrian Alpine Club. Soon after its founding, the board considered acquiring a working area in the Alps and, if possible, building its own hut. Financial constraints initially prevented this. After reviewing several projects, in 1911 the area around the Acherkogel (3,007 m) at the entrance to the Ötztal was selected as the section's working area. In 1913, the section acquired a 2,500-square-metre building plot from the municipality of Oetz at the foot of the Acherkogel. Construction of the original Bielefelder Hütte began quickly, with beams, boards, and other materials carried up the mountain on the backs of strong men. This effort was not rewarded: on 18 February 1914, a weather disaster destroyed the hut's roof and other parts of the already erected building. Shortly afterwards, World War I broke out, and construction was halted. Work resumed in 1921, and on 21 August 1922, the hut was ceremonially inaugurated with a mountain mass by Pastor Schatz of Oetz. In 1935, a terrace was added under the responsibility of Theodor Streich, the section's second chairman and hut warden. The original hut, located just under the north faces of the Acherkogel about two kilometres south-east of the present site, was destroyed by an avalanche in 1951. It was not rebuilt; only its cellar remains today. In 1953/54, the Neue Bielefelder Hütte was constructed at its current location in a contemporary style. The hut has since served as a base for hikers, climbers, and skiers in the Hochoetz area. It is a stage point on the Knappenweg, a trail themed around the region's medieval mining history. The hut continues to be operated by the Bielefeld Section of the DAV.

• 1954

  Neue Bielefelder Hütte built at its current location.

• 1951

  Original Bielefelder Hütte destroyed by an avalanche; not rebuilt.

• 1935

  Terrace added under the responsibility of Theodor Streich.

• 1922

  Original hut ceremonially inaugurated on 21 August with a mountain mass by Pastor Schatz of Oetz.

• 1921

  Construction resumes.

• 1914

  Original Bielefelder Hütte under construction; roof destroyed by a weather disaster on 18 February; World War I halts work.

• 1913

  Section acquires a 2,500 m² building plot from the municipality of Oetz.

• 1911

  Area around the Acherkogel selected as the section's working area.

• 1893

  Bielefeld Section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club founded on 29 September by Wilhelm Oltrogge and 38 others.

A traditional alpine club hut offering simple, functional accommodation and food in a high-mountain setting, catering to hikers, climbers, and skiers.

• Overnight accommodation in four-bed rooms and dormitories

• Half-board (winter only)

• Terrace with panoramic views

• Base for hiking, climbing, and ski touring

1. 1Bielefelder Hüttebielefelder-huette.at
2. 2Geschichtebielefelder-huette.at
3. 3Neue Bielefelder Hüttewikidata.org
4. 4Neue Bielefelder Hüttede.wikipedia.org