Tribulaunhütte (Austria)
A historic mountain hut in the Stubai Alps, operated by Naturfreunde Österreich since 1922.
Last updated September 29, 2026
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Overview
The Tribulaunhütte, also known as Tribulaunhaus or Gschnitzer Tribulaunhütte, is a mountain hut owned by Naturfreunde Österreich (NFÖ) and situated at 2,064 metres above sea level in the Stubai Alps of Tyrol, Austria, south of Obertal in the Gschnitztal valley. It serves hikers, climbers and ski tourers as a base for ascents of peaks such as the Gschnitzer Tribulaun, Pflerscher Tribulaun and Eisenspitze, and as a stopover on multi-day routes linking the Innsbrucker Hütte, Bremer Hütte and the Italian Tribulaunhütte. The hut offers overnight accommodation, food and drink, and is a traditional meeting point for the local mountaineering community. The history of the Tribulaunhütte is marked by repeated destruction and rebuilding. After the First World War, the original Italian Tribulaunhütte became difficult to reach from Austria, prompting Naturfreunde to build a provisional shelter with 12 sleeping places in 1921. The first proper Tribulaunhütte opened on 13 August 1922 with 16 beds and 12 mattress dormitory places. It was expanded in 1927 to 88 beds and 40 mattresses. On 28 February 1935 a powder avalanche swept the hut away; a replacement was built and opened in August 1936. That second hut was in turn destroyed by an avalanche in March 1975, and a third Tribulaunhütte with 24 beds and 36 mattress places opened in 1979. A comprehensive renovation followed in 2014, including interior and exterior refurbishment, a new kitchen and facade insulation. Since 2012 the hut has been run by tenant Verena Salchner, who continues the tradition of hospitality. The hut is typically open in the summer and autumn seasons; the official website notes that the 2026 season ends on 4 October 2026, with reservations accepted for the following summer. The Tribulaunhütte remains an active and well-known refuge in the Tyrolean Alps, valued for its location, history and role in hosting the annual Tribulaunrennen ski race since 1962.
History
The Tribulaunhütte, also called Tribulaunhaus or Gschnitzer Tribulaunhütte, is a mountain hut of Naturfreunde Österreich (NFÖ) located at 2,064 metres above sea level in the Stubai Alps, south of Obertal in the Gschnitztal valley, Tyrol, Austria. Its history is closely tied to the post-First World War border changes: the original Italian Tribulaunhütte had lain on Italian territory since the Treaty of Saint-Germain and was difficult to reach from Austria due to passport difficulties. This prompted considerations to build a hut on Austrian soil. In 1919 the Naturfreunde obtained lease land from the Forts- und Domänendirektion. A provisional hut with 12 sleeping places was built in 1921, and on 13 August 1922 the first Tribulaunhütte opened next to it with 16 beds and 12 mattress dormitory places. The construction material had been carried up on the backs of porters. In 1927–1928 a large extension expanded the hut to 88 beds and 40 mattresses. In 1934 the hut was expropriated by the government of Engelbert Dollfuß. On 28 February 1935 a powder avalanche completely destroyed the hut, sweeping it "into the valley". A second Tribulaunhütte was built by the "Bergfreunde" and opened in August 1936, during the so-called Verbotszeit (period of prohibition), offering 64 mattress dormitory places and 24 beds. In 1938 it was taken over by the Reichsverband für Deutsche Jugendherbergen. In 1940 it was handed over or sold to the DVA – Sektion Bamberg, along with the purchase of the land. In 1945 the hut was looted, and in 1946 it was taken over by the public administrator Prof. Martin Busch. In May 1946 the Naturfreunde local group Innsbruck took possession of the hut as "Tribulaunhütte". In 1950 the Naturfreunde Ortsgruppe Innsbruck bought the hut back from the DVA – Sektion Bamberg. In March 1975 the second Tribulaunhütte was destroyed by another avalanche. That same year a makeshift, smaller hut was rebuilt. In 1979 the third Tribulaunhütte was built and opened, with 36 mattress dormitory places and 24 beds, and a guest room with 50 seats. From 1985 to 1990 a stock contract was held with the Austrian Federal Forests (Bundesforste); in 1990 854 m² of land was purchased from Bundesforste. In 1993 the lower spring water pipeline was renovated and a new ram pump installed; the upper spring water pipeline was renovated in 1994. In 2012 the hut was handed over to the current tenant, Verena Salchner. In 2014 the hut was completely renovated inside and out, including a new easy-care kitchen and facade thermal insulation. The hut continues to operate seasonally, typically in summer and autumn, and remains a popular base for mountaineering in the Stubai Alps.
- 2014
Complete interior and exterior renovation, including new kitchen and facade insulation.
- 2012
Hut handed over to current tenant Verena Salchner.
- 1994
Upper spring water pipeline renovated.
- 1993
Lower spring water pipeline renovated and new ram pump installed.
- 1990
854 m² of land purchased from Bundesforste.
- 1985
Stock contract with Bundesforste began (until 1990).
- 1979
Third Tribulaunhütte built and opened with 36 mattress places, 24 beds and a 50-seat guest room.
- 1975
In March the second hut was destroyed by another avalanche; a makeshift smaller hut was rebuilt the same year.
- 1962
First annual Tribulaunrennen ski race held above the hut.
- 1950
Naturfreunde Ortsgruppe Innsbruck bought the hut back from DVA – Sektion Bamberg.
Products and positioning
A traditional, non-profit mountain hut in the Stubai Alps, offering simple, authentic alpine hospitality to hikers, climbers and ski tourers.
Overnight accommodation
Beds and mattress dormitory places for hikers and climbers.
Food and beverage service
Traditional Tyrolean hut meals and drinks.
Tribulaunrennen ski race
Annual giant slalom race held since 1962, organized by Naturfreunde and Skiclub Gschnitz.
Sources4 sources
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