Zwickauer Hütte

The Zwickauer Hütte (also known as Planfernerhütte, Italian: Rifugio Plan) is a mountain hut in the Gurgler Kamm of the Ötztal Alps in South Tyrol, Italy. It sits at 2,989 metres above sea level on the southern edge of the Planferner glacier, north of the Pfelderer Tal valley, within the Texelgruppe Nature Park. The hut is a key base for hikers and climbers, offering access to peaks such as the Hinterer Seelenkogel (3,472 m) and the Liebenerspitze (3,400 m), and serves as the final stop of the ninth stage of the Tiroler Höhenweg. A material cable car connects it to the village of Pfelders. Built in 1899 by the Zwickau section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuOeAV), the hut originally accommodated 19 mountaineers. After World War I, the section was expropriated and the hut was taken over by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). It has been destroyed and rebuilt several times: it burned down in 1933 in an alleged act of revenge, was rebuilt by the Meran section of the CAI in 1960, was seized by the Italian military in 1965, and was destroyed by an explosion in 1967. Reconstruction took place between 1982 and 1983. In 1999, along with 24 other expropriated huts, it passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol. The CAI's concession to manage it expired at the end of 2010. Since 2015, a parity commission including the province, the AVS, and the CAI has assisted in its administration, including leasing to tenants and overseeing renovations. The hut remains an active mountain refuge, welcoming visitors during the summer season. It is a popular destination for day hikes from Pfelders (about 4 hours ascent) and for glacier tours from Obergurgl. The surrounding area offers numerous summit tours and transitions to other huts such as the Stettiner Hütte, Hochwildehaus, and Langtalereckhütte. In 2014, a celebration marking the 115th anniversary of the hut's construction was planned, but it was overshadowed by the death of Baubürgermeister Rainer Dietrich from a heart attack during the ascent.

The Zwickauer Hütte was built in 1899 by the Zwickau section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuOeAV). It originally provided accommodation for 19 mountaineers. After World War I, the Zwickau section was expropriated and the hut was taken over by the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI). The hut has been a focal point in conflicts between the citizens of Pfelders and the Italian administration, particularly the financial guard (Finanzwacht) that pursued smugglers. In 1933, the hut burned down; it is said to have been set on fire as an act of revenge. In 1960, it was rebuilt by the Meran section of the CAI. In 1965, it was seized by the Italian military. In 1967, it was destroyed by an explosion. Reconstruction took place from 1982 to 1983. Together with 24 other state-expropriated mountain huts, the Zwickauer Hütte passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol in 1999. At the end of 2010, the CAI's concession to manage it expired. Since 2015, the province has been assisted in the administration of the hut (leasing to tenants, monitoring of management, renovation measures) by a parity commission that includes the AVS and the CAI alongside the public authorities. In 2014, a major celebration for the 115th anniversary of the hut's construction was planned for 25 July, with around 200 citizens of Zwickau expected to attend, including Lord Mayor Pia Findeiß and Building Mayor Rainer Dietrich. During the ascent to the hut, Dietrich died about 300 metres below of a heart attack.

• 2015

  A parity commission including the province, AVS, and CAI began assisting in administration.

• 2014

  Planned 115th anniversary celebration; Building Mayor Rainer Dietrich died during the ascent.

• 2010

  CAI's concession to manage the hut expired at year-end.

• 1999

  Ownership transferred to the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol along with 24 other huts.

• 1982

  Reconstruction began, completed in 1983.

• 1967

  Destroyed by an explosion.

• 1965

  Seized by the Italian military.

• 1960

  Rebuilt by the Meran section of the CAI.

• 1933

  Burned down in an alleged act of revenge.

• 1899

  Built by the Zwickau section of the DuOeAV, accommodating 19 mountaineers.

Historic high-alpine mountain hut and hiking base in the Texelgruppe Nature Park, owned by the Autonomous Province of Bozen – South Tyrol.

• Overnight accommodation

  Beds for mountaineers and hikers at 2,989 m.

• Food and beverage service

  Meals and drinks for visitors.

• Base for summit tours

  Starting point for climbs to Hinterer Seelenkogel, Liebenerspitze, and other peaks.

1. 1Zwickauer Hütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org
2. 2Zwickauer Hütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3[EN]: zwickauerhuette.eu - zwickauerhuettedomainname.de