Hut hopping on the Verwall circuit

Updated 10.07.2023

From St. Anton am Arlberg/Tyrol on a discovery tour on foot

Around 400 kilometres of trails in and around St. Anton am Arlberg open up the Tyrolean mountain world to hikers. The extensive Verwall high mountains between the Lechtal Alps and the Silvretta are considered an insider's tip with a wealth of views. In two to eight-day tours, mountain sports enthusiasts conquer up to 3,710 metres in altitude on the specially designed Verwall circuit and enjoy first-class hut-hopping at the same time. From the starting point in St. Anton am Arlberg, the tour goes via Konstanzer Hütte, Darmstädter Hütte, Niederelbehütte, Edmund Graf Hütte and Malfon Alm back to the starting point. The 44-kilometre round tour takes about 18 hours of pure walking time (difficulty level: difficult); you can rest at all the huts and, with the exception of the latter, even spend the night. Between the refreshment stops, all in breathtaking locations, the high alpine paths sometimes lead over loose scree, snow and ice. The reward follows on its heels: in addition to space for regeneration, motivated hikers can expect plenty of Tyrolean specialities on their plates. With several gourmet restaurants as well as international cuisine in the valley towns, the hearty alpine cuisine forms a charming balance and reflects the culinary versatility of Austria's "global village" St. Anton am Arlberg. The Verwall circuit is laid out on the interactive map with a detailed route and altitude profile, points of interest and interesting facts about the individual huts. Those who do not wish to undertake a multi-day hike can also explore the mountain inns as part of a day tour. All paths are marked throughout, steep passages are secured with ropes. The tour is possible until around the end of September. Information, variants and further hiking suggestions at www.stantonamarlberg.com

Tip as an excursion destination and stopover: Wagner Hütte (1,509 metres)

Mountain lovers can begin the Verwallrunde in the valley of the same name, which starts at the Mooserkreuz at the western entrance to St. Anton am Arlberg. After a good three and a half kilometres past legend stations, the "EldoRADo" biking area and a high and low ropes course, hikers reach the historic Wagner Hut in about 45 minutes at ground level. The cosy meeting place for locals and visitors makes the short hike through Verwalltal an experience especially for families. The inn looks back on a long and eventful history, as the foundation stone of the former warden's house was laid as early as 1880. A few years later, engineer Carl Wagner converted it into a hunting lodge and gave it its current name for the first time. Guests have been welcomed and served there since the 1920s. The taste of Tyrolean cuisine can be found on the plates: from cheese dumplings to beef goulash and curd strudel. Fresh and mainly regional ingredients are prepared and refined according to traditional recipes. After refreshments, a detour (approx. 500 metres) to the shining emerald-green Verwallsee lake is worthwhile for all those who are not heading for the whole round anyway. Open: 16 June to 3 October 2023 (warm meals 10 am - 6 pm, overnight accommodation not possible). www. wagnerhuette.at

Konstanzer Hütte (1,688 metres)

Few people realise how extensive the St. Anton am Arlberg region actually is. Even locals only know some of the remote high valleys from stories. At the junction of the Pfluntal, Schönverwalltal and Fasultal valleys, the Konstanzer Hütte, on the other hand, is quite famous and lies idyllically in the forest. After its first opening in 1885, it was rebuilt in 1990 after being destroyed by a mudslide 700 metres further on in a safer location and expanded again in 2019. The approximately three-and-a-half-hour ascent from St. Anton runs for just under eleven kilometres, past the Wagner Hut and the Verwallsee lake, and continues through the valley over some steeper switchbacks. At the rest stop, the Schöpf-Eberhart family spoils its guests with Austrian-European cuisine. In addition to classics such as apple strudel, bowls have recently been added to the menu. A highlight is the in-house aperitif "Paterol". This can be enjoyed especially well in the sunny garden with a view of the 3,056-metre-high Patteriol - known among mountain enthusiasts as the "dream of a mountain" and the "Matterhorn of St. Anton". Even with little explorers from the age of seven, the Konstanzer Hütte is a suitable place to go in the context of the Alpine Club's "Mit Kindern auf Hütten" initiative. Open: 23 June to 23 September 2023 (warm kitchen 10 am - 6 pm). www.konstanzerhuette.com

Darmstädter Hütte (2,385 metres)

Surrounded by lush alpine flora in the impressive Moos Valley south of St. Anton am Arlberg lies the Darmstädter Hütte. The stately stone house with its striking red-and-white striped shutters can be reached from the centre of St. Anton from the Rendlbahn valley station in about three and a half hours. The twelve-kilometre route can be shortened somewhat by taking a gondola ride (operating days in summer: Wednesday and Thursday). With a view of the peaks of the Verwallgruppe, innkeeper Andreas Weiskopf rewards hikers on the sun terrace with his popular dumpling variations, and for dessert there are freshly baked pastries. Around the Darmstädter Hütte and the mighty Kuchenspitze (3,148 metres) are seven climbing gardens as well as a marked bouldering area for day trips. A crash pad can be rented at the hut. For children, the accommodation offers adventure areas with climbing blocks and equipped climbing gardens, as well as four-legged fellow residents such as marmots, ponies and domestic pigs. Open: 24 June to 17 September 2023 (hot food 10am-6pm). www.alpenverein.de/Darmstaedter-Huette

Niederelbehütte (2,310 metres)

Built in 1930 and 1931, the Niederelbehütte stands picturesquely next to the Seßsee lake on a terrain step in the rear Sessladtal valley. The Paznaun valley opens up at its feet. The accommodation can be reached from St. Anton am Arlberg after 14 kilometres in about four and a half hours walking time. As a member of the Genussregion Österreich, the Jehle family serves hearty and typical regional dishes such as Brettljause or Tyrolean Gröstl with fried egg. In the past, guests have even been able to taste fine dishes from star chefs at 2,310 metres. The Niederelbehütte has already been a stop on the "Culinary Way of St. James" by star chef Eckart Witzigmann several times, where international master chefs presented their gourmet skills. Open: 23 June to 24 September 2023 (warm kitchen 10 am - 6 pm). www.niederelbehuette.at

Edmund Graf Hut (2,375 metres)

The three-and-a-half-hour hike from Pettneu, a municipality in the St. Anton am Arlberg region, through the Malfontal valley to the Edmund Graf Hütte is considered a medium-difficulty mountain tour - there are just under 1,200 metres of altitude difference to cover over a good seven-and-a-half kilometres. The hut on the upper Kapplerboden, which dates back to 1884, is now under young management: host Fabian Kolp is just 20 years old and has been managing the hut since summer 2021. Even as a child, he loved the trips to the Edmund Graf Hütte. When it became known that the previous tenants were retiring, he took his chance. The sun terrace with a view of the mountains of the Tyrolean Verwallgruppe is particularly popular among visitors. The small lake right next to the hut and a stream with a water wheel are especially popular with children. In terms of cuisine, the roast pork is particularly popular. Alternatively, guests can choose between snack platters, hearty soups and apple strudel. Open: 24 June to 24 September 2023 (warm kitchen 10 am - 6 pm). www.edmund-graf-hütte.at

Malfon Alm (1,687 metres)

The Malfon Alm is the perfect place to stop for a bite to eat on the last few kilometres of the Verwallrunde hut-hopping tour above St. Anton am Arlberg. But the mountain inn of Gabriel Neururer and Pia Zimmermann is also worth a day trip. Starting in the municipality of Pettneu, the approximately five-kilometre-long trail along the Zeinisbach stream first leads downhill before heading uphill again parallel to the Malfonbach stream. After a steep section through the shady forest, the one-and-a-half-hour route leads you past grazing cows and a few more switchbacks to the destination. since the beginning of June, 91 calves, cattle and mother cows have been accommodated there by the owner couple for their summer retreat. In addition to animal encounters for the soul, hikers fortify themselves with cheese spaetzle, roast pork and Tyrolean dumplings with bacon straight from the wood cooker. In addition, the Kaiserschmarrn (pancakes) with eggs from the farm's own chickens is a tip. Open: 27 May to the end of September 2023 (warm kitchen 10 am - 6 pm). www.stantonamarlberg.com/malfon-alm