100 Hut Walks in the Alps
Routes for day walks and overnight stays in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovenia
100 Hut Walks in the Alps
Routes for day walks and overnight stays in France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovenia
This guidebook has route descriptions for 100 day walks to suit alpine walkers of all abilities, with suggestions for some hut-to-hut tours. These routes take you through breathtaking scenery in the Maritime Alps, Julian Alps, Gran Paradiso, the Turnitzer Alps, Bernese Oberland, the Kitzbuheler Alps and the Dolomites of South Tirol.Discover a world of Alpine walking adventures with 100 Hut Walks in the Alps, the ultimate inspiration and planning guide for unforgettable day walks and overnight hut experiences across Europe’s great mountain ranges. From the sun-drenched trails of the Maritime Alps to the dramatic peaks of the Julian Alps, this guidebook offers a diverse collection of scenic walks suitable for all abilities, centred around welcoming mountain huts.
The 100 routes in this book range from gentle, scenic circuits to more ambitious mountain days, each offering the reward of a lunch at a mountain refuge or an overnight stay. Whether you’re planning a short holiday in the Alps or seeking fresh ideas for your next walking trip, this guidebook provides ample inspiration across France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovenia.
- Routes cover major Alpine regions including the Maritime Alps, Julian Alps, Gran Paradiso, Turnitzer Alps, Bernese Oberland, Kitzbüheler Alps and the Dolomites of South Tirol, providing inspiration to explore Europe’s most scenic mountains
- Hut-based experiences include options for lunch or overnight stays, with guidance on hut etiquette, opening seasons and reservation requirements to help you plan your visit
- Sketch maps accompany each route, offering clear visual orientation and helping walkers plan their trips effectively
- Practical inspiration is provided for walking holidays, making it easy to design day walks or multi-day treks that fit your pace, schedule and interests
- Written by the well-respected guidebook author Kev Reynolds, whose experience and expertise provide trustworthy advice and inspiration for all Alpine walkers
Best enjoyed between July and September, when huts bustle and wildflowers bloom, this guidebook transforms Alpine hut dreams into perfectly planned day walks or multi-day adventures. With clear guidance, inspiration, and practical advice, it is your passport to authentic mountain hospitality across Europe’s most spectacular ranges.
100 Hut Walks in the Alps - Quick Facts
Location: France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Slovenia
Regions: Maritime Alps, Julian Alps, Gran Paradiso, the Turnitzer Alps, Bernese Oberland, the Kitzbuheler Alps and the Dolomites of South Tirol
Total walks: 100 walks
Typical distance: 4 - 32km
Typical distance: Single day (with lunch) to multi-day hut-based walks
Trail type: Well-marked Alpine paths, regional variations, and hut-based circuits
Difficulty: Easy to moderate; suitable for a wide range of walkers
Terrain: Mountain paths, alpine valleys, high passes, forest trails, and scenic circuits
Navigation: Sketch maps included, relevant maps suggested for each walk
Best season: July to September (peak hut season, wildflowers in bloom)
Accommodation: Mountain huts offering lunch or overnight stays; advance booking recommended
Author Highlight
“The Alpine hut system is a tremendous boon to both walkers and climbers. Initially built as simple overnight bases in order to reduce the time mountaineers might need to tackle a chosen peak, a comprehensive series of huts (cabane, capanna, refuge, or rifugio) gradually developed that were of use to mountain walkers too. It is now just about possible to traverse the Alps from one end to the other using huts throughout.”
- Kev Reynolds, author of 100 Hut Walks in the Alps
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps - everything you need on the trail.
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
Map Key
Overview Map
Introduction
Mountain Huts
Walking in the Alps
Paths and Waymarks
Safety in the Mountains
The Alpine Environment
Recommended Maps and Guides
Using this Guide
France
The French Alps
1 Refuge de Valmasque (Maritime Alps)
2 Refuge des Merveilles (Maritime Alps)
3 Refuge de Nice (Maritime Alps)
4 Refuge de Cougourde (Maritime Alps)
5 Refuge de Gialorgues (Maritime Alps)
6 Refuge du Balif Viso (Dauphiné Alps – Queyras Region)
7 Refuge des Bans (Dauphiné Alps – Massif des Écrins)
8 Refuge du Pré de Chaumette (Dauphiné Alps – Massif des Écrins)
9 Refuge de Vallonpierre (Dauphiné Alps – Massif des Écrins)
10 Refuge du Glacier Blanc (Dauphiné Alps – Massif des Écrins)
11 Refuge du Carrelet (Dauphiné Alps – Massif des Écrins)
12 Refuge du Châtelleret (Dauphiné Alps – Massif des Écrins)
13 Refuge de l’Orgère (Graian Alps – Vanoise National Park)
14 Refuge de l’Arpont (Graian Alps – Vanoise National Park)
15 Refuge d’Entre Deux Eaux (Graian Alps – Vanoise National Park)
16 Refuge de la Leisse (Graian Alps – Vanoise National Park)
17 Refuge du Col de la Vanoise (Graian Alps – Vanoise National Park)
18 Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme (Mont Blanc Range)
19 Refuge de Bellachat (Mont Blanc Range)
20 Refuge du Lac Blanc (Mont Blanc Range)
Switzerland
The Swiss Alps
21 Cabane du Mont-Fort (Pennine Alps)
22 Cabane de Chanrion (Pennine Alps)
23 Cabane des Dix (Pennine Alps)
24 Cabane des Aiguilles-Rouges (Pennine Alps)
25 Cabane de Moiry (Pennine Alps)
26 Cabane du Petit Mountet (Pennine Alps)
27 Täsch Hut (Pennine Alps)
28 Monte Rosa Hut (Pennine Alps)
29 Hörnli Hut (Pennine Alps)
30 Schönbiel Hut (Pennine Alps)
31 Mischabel Hut (Pennine Alps)
32 Britannia Hut (Pennine Alps)
33 Gelten Hut (Bernese Alps)
34 Wildhorn Hut (Bernese Alps)
35 Fründen Hut (Bernese Alps)
36 Blümlisalp Hut (Bernese Alps)
37 Balmhorn Hut (Bernese Alps)
38 Lötschenpass Hut (Bernese Alps)
39 Rottal Hut (Bernese Alps)
40 Schmadri Hut (Bernese Alps)
41 Weber Hut (Bernese Alps)
42 Burg Hut (Bernese Alps)
43 Damma Hut (Central Swiss Alps)
44 Chelenalp Hut (Central Swiss Alps)
45 Tresch Hut (Central Swiss Alps)
46 Windgällen Hut (Central Swiss Alps)
47 Capanna Basodino (Lepontine Alps)
48 Capanna Cristallina (Lepontine Alps)
49 Capanna Leit (Lepontine Alps)
50 Capanna Cadagno (Lepontine Alps)
51 Carschina Hut (Rätikon Alps)
52 Chamanna Tuoi (Silvretta Alps)
53 Blockhaus Cluozza (Bernina Alps – Swiss National Park)
54 Coaz Hut (Bernina Alps)
55 Boval Hut (Bernina Alps)
56 Albigna Hut (Bregaglia Alps)
57 Sasc-Furä Hut (Bregaglia Alps)
58 Sciora Hut (Bregaglia Alps)
Italy
The Italian Alps
59 Rifugio Benevolo (Gran Paradiso)
60 Rifugio F. Chabod (Gran Paradiso)
61 Rifugio Vittorio Emanuele (Gran Paradiso)
62 Rifugio Vittorio Sella (Gran Paradiso)
63 Rifugio Elisabetta (Mont Blanc Range)
64 Rifugio Bonatti (Mont Blanc Range)
65 Rifugio Luigi Brasca (Bregaglia Alps)
66 Rifugio A. Omio (Bregaglia Alps)
67 Rifugio C. Ponti (Bregaglia Alps)
68 Rifugio Longoni (Bernina Alps)
69 Rifugio Larcher (Ortler Alps)
70 Rifugio Mandrone (Adamello Group)
71 Rifugio Tuckett (Brenta Dolomites)
72 Rifugio Brentei (Brenta Dolomites)
73 Rifugio Puez (Dolomites – Puez-Odle Group)
74 Rifugio Vicenza (Dolomites – Sassolungo Group)
75 Rifugio Viel del Pan (Dolomites – Marmolada Group)
76 Rifugio Pian di Cengia (Sexten Dolomites)
77 Rifugio Locatelli (Sexten Dolomites)
78 Rifugio Vandelli (Dolomites – Sorapiss Group)
Austria
The Austrian Alps
79 Saarbrücker Hut (Silvretta Alps)
80 Wiesbadner Hut (Silvretta Alps)
81 Täschach Haus (Ötztal Alps)
82 Braunschweiger Hut (Ötztal Alps)
83 Innsbrucker Hut (Stubai Alps)
84 Bremer Hut (Stubai Alps)
85 Franz Senn Hut (Stubai Alps)
86 Starkenburger Hut (Stubai Alps)
87 Berliner Hut (Zillertal Alps)
88 Plauener Hut (Zillertal Alps)
89 Grutten Hut (Kaisergebirge)
90 Brechhornhaus (Kitzbüheler Alps)
91 Bochumer Hut (Kitzbüheler Alps)
92 Schönleiten Hut (Kitzbüheler Alps)
93 Bürgl Hut (Kitzbüheler Alps)
94 Statzerhaus (Salzburger Schiefer Alps)
95 Salzburger Hut (Glockner Group)
96 Kals-Matreier-Törlhaus (Granatspitz Group)
97 Nassfeldhaus (Carnic Alps)
98 Julius-Seitner Hut (Türnitzer Alps)
Slovenia
The Julian Alps
99 Triglav Lakes Hut (Julian Alps)
100 Bogatinom Hut (Julian Alps)
APPENDIX A Useful Addresses
APPENDIX B Suggested Equipment List
APPENDIX C Glossary
APPENDIX D Bibliography
Seasons
Most huts are staffed from July to the end of September (see guide for details).
Centres
Chamonix, Briançon, Zermatt, Grindelwald, St Moritz, Aosta, Cortina, Innsbruck, Kitzbühel, Trenta and Kranjska Gora.
Difficulty
From undemanding to long, tough walks, the routes suit alpine walkers of all abilities. Basic navigation skills are required. Some routes feature scrambling and easy glacier walking.
Must See
The overall hut experience is the main highlight. This includes hot showers at the end of the route, sunset views from the hut, lunch on the terrace and the companionship of other walkers.
September 2014
Updates
Readers planning to visit the Monte Rosa Hut above Zermatt, described as Walk 28 in 100 Hut Walks in the Alps, are warned that as a result of climate change the route as described is no longer valid. Descent onto the Gorner glacier is now by way of near-vertical ladders, and the hike over the glacier crosses numerous widening crevasses. Unless experienced and adequately equipped for glacier travel the Zermatt website (www.zermatt.ch) recommends all potential walkers on this route to hire a mountain guide.
May 2014
Since this guide went to print, certain website changes have come to our attention. (They have been corrected in the digital formats.)
They are as follows:
www.arpont.refuges-vanoise.com >
www.arpont.refuge-vanoise.com
http://www.vanoise-refugelalei...
www.cas-moleson.ch/infrastructures/wildhornhuette.html >
www.wildhornhuette.ch
www.hutten.be/Oostenrijk/htn-at-saarbrucker.html >
ww.alpenverein-saarbruecken.d...
http://alpenverein-darmstadt.de/huetten/starkenburger-huette >
ww.dav-starkenburg.de
www.slovenia.info >
ww.tslovenia.info
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