Week 190: Olpererhütte and Berliner Hütte
190 weeks into our expat adventure and Austria continues to amaze us with its natural beauty. We spent three days hiking a total of 16 miles in the western state of Tirol.
Friday
We began our weekend adventure with a 3-hour drive to the Zillertal Alps. We parked the car at the Schlegeis Reservoir and, from here, hiked to the Olperhütte, a dream hike of mine since we moved to Austria in 2020.
The start of the hike and the first of many steps we would have to climb
This route is part of the Berlin High Trail (Berliner Höhenweg), a challenging 8-day, high alpine hike known for its stunning landscapes and rigorous paths. We did not have 8 days, nor did we wish to do an 8-day hut-to-hut hike, but still being able to hike along sections of it was great!
The first sighting of the hut
Eric leading the way
We zigged and zagged along the rocky switchback trail, passing waterfalls and traversing the early summer, snowy pastures.
Sheep on the mountain
After 3.5 years and 1.5 hours of hiking, we finally reached this breathtaking, Instagrammable spot.
Resident sheep, goats, and chickens paraded around the mountain edge as we arrived at the Olperhütte. The mountain hut sits at an elevation of 2,388 meters with 3000+ meter peaks surrounding it in every direction.
Dangling from the suspension bridge
Eric dangling from the suspension bridge
Eric and I sitting on the suspension bridge
After soaking in the views, snapping plenty of photos, dangling from the iconic suspension bridge, and eating dinner in the hut, we descended to a nearby village, Mayrhofen, for the night.
Saturday
We drove to Alpengasthaus Breitlahner - our starting point for the hike to our next destination: the Berliner Hütte. This hike is another segment of the Berlin High Trail.
After paying €12 to park at the Alpengasthaus Breitlahner, we enjoyed a leisurely walk through the Zemmgrund Valley, passing fields of wildflowers, farm animals, and flowing rivers.
After the first mile, the hike began to get a little more vertical, a little more strenuous, and a lot more beautiful!
My favorite part of the hike
We stopped at the Grawandhutte for lunch.
Imagining a canyoning tour here
The closer we got to the Berliner Hütte, the bigger the waterfalls became and the deeper the canyons appeared. About 10 minutes from the hut, we walked past a WWI memorial which meant we had to stop and read all the signs ;)
The memorial translates to “To the victims of war, violence, and persecution”
Eric looking at the WWI memorial
After 3 hours, we made it to The Berliner Hütte. It's the largest hut in Tirol and the first in the region to become a listed building.
Arrived at the Berliner Hütte
Visiting the Berliner Hütte is an experience in and of itself. With its grand wood-paneled rooms, five-meter-high dining hall, and elegant chandeliers, it felt like stepping back in time to an era of alpine pioneers. The size and grandeur of the hut would be the perfect setting for a murder mystery.
If you wish to reserve a room in the hut, make sure to book early. It is only open from June-September, and books up months in advance.
Make a reservation here
Our room in the Berliner Hütte
Eric looking out of our window
This hut was the 4th Austrian hut we have stayed in. The thing we look for in any hut we book is if it has private double rooms. Most are dorm-style where you have to sleep in a shared room with loud, snoring strangers. The Berliner Hütte not only offered the room we wished for, but also had bathrooms and showers built with privacy in mind.
The chandelier
Directions on the wall
Eric on the main staircase
Without any wifi in the hut, we were left to enjoy one another’s company and play board games. We played a few rounds of checkers and chess. Eric beat me in every game per usual.
Sunday
We hoped to capture the sunrise from the hut, but the clouds were too heavy. So we spent an hour hiking around the hut before making our way back down to the car.
Early morning at the hut
Views around the hut
Eric looking up drone rules
Views around the hut
Alpine cows relaxing in the pasture
The descent was much faster than the ascent, giving us more time to enjoy the stunning alpine scenery and take in the peacefulness of the Zillertal Alps.
Alpine cows relaxing in the pasture
Our favorite part was seeing all the happy alpine cows relaxing against the dramatic landscape.
The sweetest little cow
Pretty waterfall
Pretty waterfalls
The yummiest Spinatknödel after a 16-mile hiking weekend
Views of a cute alpine hut while eating lunch
The Zillertal Alps did not disappoint. Whether you’re an avid hiker or simply looking for a new adventure, I highly recommend exploring this region. The Olperhütte and Berliner Hütte are both must-visit spots, each offering unique experiences and unforgettable views.
We hiked a total of 16 miles this weekend and are gearing up for another hiking and hut weekend in the mountains in week 191!
