Schutzhaus Neubau

Schutzhaus Neubau is a mountain hut and hospitality brand operated by Naturfreunde Österreich (Naturfreunde Austria) in the Salzburg part of the Goldberggruppe, at an elevation of 2,176 metres above sea level. It sits at the southern end of the Rauris Valley, within the former gold-mining area that is now part of the Hohe Tauern National Park. The name "Neubau" (New Building) traces back to a mountain house built in 1420, when gold mining was expanded toward the Fraganter Scharte and Herzog-Ernst-Spitze and new accommodation was needed for miners. The hut is a well-known base for hikers, ski tourers and mountaineers, offering food, drink and overnight accommodation in a high-alpine setting. The hut is owned and managed by Naturfreunde Österreich, a non-profit outdoor organisation. It was comprehensively renovated in 1995, when the heating was converted from coal to electric underfloor heating and a small hydroelectric plant was installed to supply energy for heating and the material cable car. The previously available unheated winter room was lost in this renovation, and the hut has had no winter room since. The hut is typically open through the summer hiking season and during the ski touring season, with a winter break depending on weather conditions. In the 2024 summer season, the hut was run by the Hinterstoisser family and team, who announced their departure at the end of that season. From the 2025 season onward, the hut has been operated by two brothers, Marinus and Anian, who took over the management with a focus on hospitality and mountain experiences. The area around the hut is rich in mining heritage. The Tauerngold Erlebnisweg (Tauerngold Adventure Trail) and the Tauerngold Rundwanderweg (Tauerngold Circular Trail) lead through the remains of the historic gold mining operations. Nearby are the Radhaus (built 1831/33), which served until 1888 as the mountain station of a 1.5-kilometre inclined haulage system powered by an eleven-metre water wheel, and the Bremsbahn, which connected the Radhaus to the Knappenhaus at 2,341 metres. The Gletscherschaupfad (Glacier Discovery Trail), established between 1982 and 1984 and renovated in 2007, leads through the former glacier tongue area of the Goldbergkees and documents the glacier's retreat of about 1,100 metres since 1850. The hut is a starting point for numerous summit climbs, including the Hoher Sonnblick (3,105 m), Schareck (3,122 m), Herzog-Ernst-Spitze (2,933 m), Alteck (2,942 m) and Hocharn (3,254 m). It also serves as a stopover on multi-day hut treks, with connections to the Rojacher Hütte, Zittelhaus, Duisburger Hütte and Niedersachsenhaus. As a brand, Schutzhaus Neubau represents a traditional alpine hospitality offering under the Naturfreunde umbrella, combining mountain accommodation, food service and outdoor recreation in a protected natural environment.

The name Schutzhaus Neubau derives from a mountain house built in 1420, when gold mining in the Rauris Valley was expanded toward the Fraganter Scharte (2,754 m) and Herzog-Ernst-Spitze (2,933 m). New accommodation was needed for the miners, and the name has survived to the present day. The surrounding area still contains many traces of the former gold mining industry, which are made accessible through the Tauerngold Erlebnisweg and the Tauerngold Rundwanderweg. The hut itself is owned by Naturfreunde Österreich and lies at 2,176 metres above sea level at the southern end of the Rauris Valley, in the Salzburg part of the Goldberggruppe, within the Hohe Tauern National Park. In 1995, the hut was comprehensively renovated. The heating was converted from coal to electric underfloor heating, and a small hydroelectric plant was built to generate all the energy for heating and for operating the material cable car. The previously existing unheated winter room was lost in this renovation, and the hut has had no winter room since. Around the hut, several educational and discovery trails have been established. The Gletscherschaupfad (Glacier Discovery Trail) was set up between 1982 and 1984 and renovated and updated in 2007. It leads through the formerly ice-covered glacier tongue area of the Goldbergkees to the ice edge of 2006, with 13 information panels documenting the visible glacier retreat; since 1850 the glacier has receded by about 1,100 metres. The Tauerngold Erlebnisweg and Tauerngold Rundwanderweg lead through the remains of earlier mining in the rear Rauris Valley. The Radhaus and the Bremsbahn are located only 200 metres from the hut on the Kälberriegel (2,161 m). The Radhaus was built in 1831/33 and served until 1888 as the mountain station of a 1.5-kilometre inclined haulage system, driven by an eleven-metre water wheel, which transported ore (known as Pochgang) down to the valley and supplied the miners on the mountain. The Bremsbahn connected the Radhaus with the Knappenhaus at 2,341 m; its route is still clearly visible and forms part of the Tauerngold Rundwanderweg. The Knappenhaus and surrounding facilities served the miners as living, sleeping and working buildings. The buildings were connected to the tunnel system (Schneekrägen) and allowed the miners to access the tunnel and extract ore even during winter. The Bremserhäusl (2,331 m) formed the upper end of the Bremsbahn and housed the cable deflection pulley. In the 2024 summer season, the hut was operated by the Hinterstoisser family and team, who announced at the end of the season that they would be leaving. From the 2025 season, the hut has been run by two brothers, Marinus and Anian, who stated that the mountains are their great passion and that they would manage the hut with heart and commitment. The hut is typically closed during winter, reopening for the ski touring season from around mid-March 2025 depending on weather conditions, and is open continuously during the summer season. Reservation requests are accepted at any time.

• 2025

  Brothers Marinus and Anian take over as operators, reopening for the ski touring season from mid-March.

• 2024

  The Hinterstoisser family and team end their tenure as operators.

• 2007

  The Gletscherschaupfad is renovated and updated.

• 1995

  Comprehensive renovation of the hut; heating converted to electric underfloor heating and a small hydroelectric plant installed.

• 1982

  Establishment of the Gletscherschaupfad (Glacier Discovery Trail) begins (completed 1984).

• 1888

  The Radhaus ceases operation as the mountain station of the inclined haulage system.

• 1831

  Construction of the Radhaus begins (completed 1833).

• 1420

  A mountain house named Neubau is built for miners as gold mining expands.

Traditional alpine hospitality and outdoor recreation under the Naturfreunde Österreich umbrella, in the Hohe Tauern National Park.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  Overnight stays for hikers, ski tourers and mountaineers.

• Alpine food and drink

  Food and beverages served in the hut.

• Ski touring base

  Base for ski tours in the Goldberggruppe.

• Hiking base

  Starting point for numerous summit climbs and hut treks.

1. 1Schutzhaus Neubau official websiteschutzhaus-neubau.at
2. 2Schutzhaus Neubau - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Schutzhaus Neubau - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org