3-day hut hike over the Peiljoch in Austria
Level: T2, with some parts T3
Period: End June – mid September
This is a beautiful three-day hut hike from Neustift in the Stubaital in Austria. The Stubaital is an alpine valley in Tyrol. It’s the central valley of the Stubai Alps. At the end of the Stubaital valley lies the Stubai Glacier. This hike contains one leg of the ‘Stubaier Höhenweg‘, a demanding 120 kilometer long high level footpath, which can be done in 8 or 9 days.
This hike is listed in our travel blog. Hiking times mentioned below are adjusted to hiking with kids.
Day 1: Take the gondola from Gamsgarten talstation to the Dresdnerhütte (2308 m), where you will stay the night. The same day you can take the gondola to Top of Tyrol (3210 m). At top of Tirol you have beautiful views and can hike around a bit. The last gondola back to the Dresdnerhütte departs around 16:00, so don’t start too late in the afternoon.
Day 2: Dresdnerhütte to the Sulzenauhütte (2191 m) – 5 km, 4 uur, ↑ 500 m, ↓ 600 m, level: T3. This is a spectacular hike, over the Peiljoch and along the glacial lake Sulzenausee. The hike starts with a pretty tough climb. Approximately 100 meters below the Peiljoch is a steep stretch equipped with cables. Doable, but not very comfortable for people with fear of heights. The views from the Peiljoch are phenomenal on a clear day and the descent along the Sulzenausee and the Sulzenauferner is overwhelmingly beautiful. This descent is steep, but manageable.
From the Sulzenauhütte you can ascend to the Blaue Lacke. You can also do this from the Sulzenausee, but for this you will need to cross a snowfield, so that’s a no for us. It’s better to go to the Sulzenauhütte first. From the Sulzanauhütte to the Blaue Lacke and back: 2 km, 1 uur, ↑ 120 m, ↓ 120 m, level: T2
Day 3: Sulzenauhütte to Talstation Gamsgarten via the Grawa Wasserfall (1750 m) – 7,5 km, 4 uur, ↑ 240 m, ↓ 680 m, level: T2. A beautiful and fairly easy descent over the Sulzenaualm to the Grawa Wasserfall. From Grawa Alm you can hike back to Talstation Gamsgarten along the river, or take the bus (this will make the hike 3 km shorter).
T3-level 4 day-version:
Day 1: Gondola from Gamsgarten talstation to the Dresdnerhütte (2308 m). There’s lots of hiking options around the Dresdnerhütte.
Day 2: Dresdnerhütte to the Sulzenauhütte (2191 m) – 5 km, 4 uur, ↑ 500 m, ↓ 600 m, level: T3.
Day 3: Sulzenauhütte to the Nürnbergerhütte – 6 km, 5 hours, ↑ 650 m, ↓ 550 m (level T3, with some chains). The next day you can hike back to Gamsgarten Talstation (12 km, 5 hours, ↑ 350 m ↓ 900 m).
Day 4: Hike back from the Nürnbergerhütte to Tschanglaier Alm (6.2 km, 4 hours, ↓ 900 m) via the Langetaler Wasserfall. Take the bus from Tschanglaier Alm to Gamsgarten Talstation.
Good to know:
– Drinking water is available in the huts.
– Lunch packets can be pre-ordered (the night before) in both huts (€5 – €6 pp).
– The Dresdnerhütte has Wi-Fi. The Sulzenauhütte does not have wifi, but there is mobile phone coverage uphill just outside the hut (near the flag).
– In the Dresdnerhütte you can pay by card, the Sulzenauhütte is cash only.
– Swimming is possible in the Blaue Lacke near the Sulzenauhütte.
– You can take the Gamsgartenbahn or the Eisgratbahn to the Dresdnerhütte, in Mutterberg. They are close together (walking distance).
– There is ample parking space at the Gamsgartenbahn and Eisgratbahn, free of charge.
