Ramolhaus

Ramolhaus is a mountain hut of the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV), belonging to its Hamburg and Niederelbe section. It stands on a prominent rocky knoll known as the "Köpfle" on the southeastern slope of the rear Gurgler Valley, high above the shrinking tongue of the Gurgler Ferner glacier in the main ridge of the Ötztal Alps in Tyrol, Austria. The hut is a classic high-alpine base for mountaineering and hiking in the Ötztal Alps, offering shelter, meals, and overnight accommodation to members and guests. The hut was built between 1881 and 1883 and has been expanded several times, notably in 1898, 1929, and 2005. It is reached from Obergurgl (1,927 m) via the marked long-distance trail No. 902, a roughly four-hour ascent. From Ramolhaus, hikers and climbers can continue to other huts such as Langtalereckhütte, Hochwildehaus, and Martin-Busch-Hütte, or cross the Ramoljoch (3,186 m) to Vent. The surrounding peaks include Ramolkogel (3,550 m), Hinterer Spiegelkogel (3,426 m), Firmisanschneide (3,491 m), and Schalfkogel (3,540 m). As a DAV hut, Ramolhaus is part of a network of alpine shelters maintained by the club's sections. The Hamburg and Niederelbe section owns and operates the hut, which is also known as "Hamburg's highest house" in the Ötztal. The hut appears in alpine literature and maps, including the Alpenvereinskarte sheet 30/1 Ötztaler Alpen – Gurgl (1:25,000). In November 2021, a light aircraft crashed below the hut after the pilot belatedly noticed a cable of the material tramway between Langtalereckhütte and Ramolhaus; both occupants survived with injuries.

Ramolhaus was built between 1881 and 1883 by the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein) and belongs to its Hamburg and Niederelbe section. It was constructed on a prominent rocky knoll, the "Köpfle," on the southeastern slope of the rear Gurgler Valley, high above the Gurgler Ferner glacier in the main ridge of the Ötztal Alps. The hut was expanded in 1898, 1929, and 2005, reflecting its continuing role in alpine tourism and mountaineering. Over the decades it has served as a base for climbers and hikers exploring the surrounding peaks and glacier routes. The hut is also known as "Hamburg's highest house" in the Ötztal, as noted in a 2006 article in DAV Panorama by Britta Wilken marking 125 years of the DAV hut. In November 2021, an ultralight aircraft crashed below the hut after the pilot belatedly noticed a cable of the material tramway between Langtalereckhütte and Ramolhaus; both occupants survived with injuries. The hut remains active and is maintained by the DAV section Hamburg and Niederelbe.

• 2021

  An ultralight aircraft crashes below the hut; both occupants survive with injuries.

• 2017

  A suspension bridge replaces the old route over the Gurgler Ferner on the approach to Langtalereckhütte.

• 2006

  DAV Panorama article by Britta Wilken marks 125 years of the DAV hut.

• 2005

  Third expansion of the hut.

• 1929

  Second expansion of the hut.

• 1898

  First expansion of the hut.

• 1883

  Ramolhaus is completed and opened.

• 1881

  Construction of Ramolhaus begins.

A traditional, high-alpine German Alpine Club hut offering essential shelter and hospitality in a remote glacier setting, primarily serving mountaineers and hikers.

• Overnight accommodation

  Dormitory-style lodging for mountaineers and hikers at 3,006 m.

• Meals and drinks

  Food and beverages served to guests, typical of Alpine club huts.

• Alpine shelter and information

  Emergency shelter and route information for visitors.

1. 1Ramolhaus - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Ramolhaus - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
3. 3DAV Hamburg - Ramolhausdav-hamburg.de