Söldenhütte

Söldenhütte (formerly Dr.-Heinrich-Hackel-Hütte) is a mountain hut owned and operated by the Salzburg section of the Österreichischer Alpenverein (ÖAV), the Austrian Alpine Club. It sits at 1,531 metres above sea level on the southern slope of the Tennengebirge, a rugged limestone massif in the state of Salzburg, Austria. The hut is a managed refuge during its opening periods and functions as a key base for climbing routes, circular tours, traverses and hikes on the Tennengebirge plateau. In winter it is a starting point for ski tours. Its sun terrace offers a wide view over the Salzach valley (Salzachpongau) and towards the Hochkönig. The building began as an alpine pasture (Alm) of the Söldentalalm. The Salzburg section of the DuOeAV acquired the ruin, rebuilt it and opened it as the Söldenhütte in 1913. In 1923 an avalanche severely damaged the hut. In 1944 it was renamed Dr.-Heinrich-Hackel-Hütte in honour of Heinrich Hackel, a pioneer of the exploration of the Tennengebirge and section chairman until 1926. The hut was extended in 1958 and connected to the electricity grid in 1978. In 1987 the water pipeline was relaid, and in 1988 a sanitary annex and a sewage treatment plant were put into operation. From 1998 to 2001 the hut was completely renovated. In 2025, following research into the antisemitic stance of its namesake Heinrich Hackel, the hut was renamed back to its original name Söldenhütte. The hut is accessible via several marked trails: from Wengerau (near Werfenweng) via the Hüttenweg in 1½ hours; from Zaglau (near Werfenweng) via the Mühlbachalm in 2 hours; from Spießhof, Sankt Martin-Lammertal, near Lungötz (965 m) via the Aualm in 2½ hours; and from Hüttau via the Larzenbachtal and Anton-Proksch-Haus in 3 hours. It is a stage point on the Nordalpenweg (Northern Alps Way) and the Salzburger Almenweg (Salzburg Alpine Pasture Way). As a mountain hut, Söldenhütte offers typical alpine hospitality: food, drinks and overnight accommodation in shared dormitories and rooms. It is a hub for mountaineering in the Tennengebirge, with nearby summit destinations including the Tauernkogel (2,247 m, 2 hours), Eiskogel (2,321 m, 2½ hours) and Bleikogel (2,412 m, 4 hours). Transitions to other huts include the Anton-Proksch-Haus (1,590 m) in 1 hour, the Laufener Hütte (1,725 m) in 6 hours, the Edelweißerhütte (2,350 m) in 5 hours and the Leopold-Happisch-Haus (1,925 m) in 6 hours. Ski tours are possible to the Eiskogel/Tauernkogel, Bleikogel–Laufener Hütte, and the Tennengebirge crossing to the Wengerscharte and Scheiblingkogel. The hut is part of the extensive network of alpine huts maintained by the Austrian Alpine Club, a non-profit organisation. Its operations are tied to the Salzburg section, and its official information is available through the section's website. The 2025 renaming reflects a broader reckoning within alpine associations with historical figures associated with antisemitism.

The Söldenhütte originated as an alpine pasture (Alm) belonging to the Söldentalalm. The Salzburg section of the DuOeAV (Deutscher und Österreichischer Alpenverein) acquired the ruin, rebuilt it, and opened it as the Söldenhütte in 1913. In 1923, an avalanche caused severe damage to the hut. In 1944, the hut was renamed Dr.-Heinrich-Hackel-Hütte in honour of Heinrich Hackel, a pioneer of the exploration of the Tennengebirge and chairman of the Salzburg section until 1926. In 1958, the Hackelhütte was expanded, and in 1978 it was connected to the electricity grid. In 1987, the water pipeline was relaid, and in 1988 a sanitary annex and a sewage treatment plant were put into operation. From 1998 to 2001, the hut underwent a complete renovation. In 2025, following research into the antisemitic stance of its namesake Heinrich Hackel, the hut was renamed back to its original name Söldenhütte. The renaming was reported in March 2025.

• 2025

  Renamed back to Söldenhütte due to the antisemitic stance of namesake Heinrich Hackel.

• 2001

  Completion of complete renovation.

• 1998

  Start of complete renovation (until 2001).

• 1988

  Sanitary annex and sewage treatment plant put into operation.

• 1987

  Water pipeline relaid.

• 1978

  Connected to the electricity grid.

• 1958

  The Hackelhütte was expanded.

• 1944

  Renamed Dr.-Heinrich-Hackel-Hütte in honour of Heinrich Hackel.

• 1923

  The hut was severely damaged by an avalanche.

• 1913

  Söldenhütte opened after rebuilding the ruin of the Söldentalalm by the Salzburg section of DuOeAV.

A traditional Austrian Alpine Club mountain hut offering simple, authentic alpine hospitality and serving as a strategic base for outdoor activities in the Tennengebirge.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  Overnight stays in shared dormitories and rooms.

• Alpine food and beverages

  Meals and drinks served during opening hours.

• Climbing and hiking base

  Starting point for climbing routes, circular tours, traverses and hikes on the Tennengebirge plateau.

• Ski touring base

  Winter starting point for ski tours.

• Renaming due to namesake's antisemitic stance

  Source

Read more

1. 1Alpenverein Salzburgalpenverein-salzburg.at
2. 2Söldenhütte - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Söldenhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org