Due to high footfall at the shelters/mountain lodges,
please see the websites for information. These provide
all the important details about the facilities and how
to make a booking. Information about shelter categories, overnight stays, shelter rules and catering as well as rules on booking in advance can be
found at: www.deutscher-alpenverein.de
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Huts and climbs
German Alpine Association (DAV)
German Alpine Association (DAV) huts are first and foremost “base camps” for mountaineers rather than hotels.
Several huts have, however, lost this function due to the technical infrastructure now available in their surrounding area. It is standard practice for all hut visitors to write their name, place of residence (holiday address) and next day’s destination in the hut book on arrival. This information can be useful if someone is reported missing.
2,070 MAMSL
Fiderepasshütte
• Situated on a border pass between Bavaria and Vorarlberg
• Approx. 2.5 hours from the Fellhornbahn middle station
• Capacity: 120 mattress spaces
1,930 MAMSL
Edmund-Probst-Haus
• Below the Nebelhorn with a view over Oberstdorf roofops
• 20-minute ascent with the Nebelhorn cable car to the mountain station
• Capacity: 62 mattress spaces and 32 beds
2,013 MAMSL
Mindelheimer Hütte
- In a sunny location with panoramic views of the Rappenalptal Valley
- Approx. 4 hours from Birgsau via the Speicherhütte
- Capacity: 140 mattress spaces
2,021 MAMSL
Rappenseehütte
• Idyllically located on a cirque ridge over the Rappenalptal valley
• Approx. 3.5 hours from Birgsau via Einödsbach
• Capacity: 189 mattress spaces and 115 beds
1,804 MAMSL
Enzianhütte
• On a panoramic terrace over the Rappenalptal valley
• Approx. 2.5 hours from Birgsau via Einödsbach
• Capacity: 90 mattress spaces and 32 beds
2,084 MAMSL
Waltenberger Haus
• High-Alpine setting in the heart of the Allgäu main ridge
• Approx. 3.5 hours from Birgsau
• Capacity: 20 mattress spaces and 36 beds
1,846 MAMSL
Kemptner Hütte
• Below the impressive Krottenspitze ridge at the entrance to the Lechtal valley
• 3 hours from Spielmannsau
• Capacity: 190 mattress spaces and 100 beds
1,846 MAMSL
Prinz-Luitpold-Haus
• On a cirque ridge at the foot of the Hochvogel
• Approx. 4.5 hours from the Nebelhorn summit station
• Capacity: 220 mattress spaces and 48 beds
Important information for shelter/lodge visitors
Hut to hut hikes
All of the hikes up to the shelters / mountain lodges in the Allgäu Alps, which range from easy to challenging, offer
a unique experience of the mountain landscape. Basic Alpine equipment is essential when hiking to any of the
shelters/mountain lodges in the Allgäu Alps.
Mindelheimer Hütte – Rappenseehütte
The standard route leads along the Schrofen Pass and the Mutzentobel Ravine and offers plenty of spectacular views but is also very exposed in parts. Although a technically simple route, it certainly gives your thighs a workout.
- Via the Schrofen Pass: 5 hours, 702 m elevation gain/loss, 8.57 km
- Via the Eselsweg trail: 5 hours, 833 m elevation gain/loss, 7.33 km
Fiderepasshütte – Mindelheimer Hütte
From the Fiderepasshütte, the route starts by heading uphill to the magnificent viewpoint of the Fiderescharte. From there, there are two options for continuing to the Mindelheimerhütte.
- Via the Krumbacherhöhenweg Ridgeway: 3 hours, 360 m elevation gain/loss, 4.84 km
- Via the Mindelheimer Klettersteig (via ferrata): 5 hours, 4.5 km
Enzianhütte – Rappenseehütte
The short but picturesque route starts with a gentle uphill section along an often pleasantly shaded trail to the Musskopfsattel before a following steeper, sunny section of winding trail to the Rappenseehütte.
- 1 hour, 317 m elevation gain/loss, 2.07 km
Rappenseehütte – Waltenberger Haus
Follow the best known ridgeway in the Allgäu Alps, making your way along mountain passes with protective steel cables over mostly rocky terrain. Sure-footedness and a good head for heights are prerequisites for this via-ferrata-like ridgeway.
- Via the Bockarscharte: 5 hours, 664 m elevation gain/loss, 4.24 km
Waltenberger Haus – Kemptner Hütte
A demanding climb leads to the Bockarscharte. From there, continue across the snowy fields at the foot of the Mädelegabel, then over the magnificent mountain meadows to the Mädelejoch.
- Via the Bockarscharte: 4 hours, 550 m elevation gain/loss, 6.52 km
Prinz-Luitpold-Haus – Edmund-Probst-Haus
This scenic route between these huts offers a unique experience in terms of Alpine flora. With several exposed sections, it requires both sure-footedness and a head for heights.
- 4 hours, 726 m elevation gain/loss, 9.5 km
Kemptner Hütte – Prinz-Luitpold-Haus
A particularly demanding day stage that requires excellent fitness but impresses with not just the Höfats, the landmark of the Allgäu Alps, but also the sheer natural diversity.
- 7 hours, 1,351 m elevation gain/loss, 16 km
Multi-day hikes
The Allgäu Alps are known for their diverse landscapes.
There are few places where you’ll find huge rocky mountains like the Trettach right next to steep grass mountains like the Höfats.
Well-maintained mountain paths, ridgeways and via ferratas with no less than seven different shelters enable you to enjoy this unique landscape, Swabia’s largest nature reserve, to the full. Depending on weather conditions, the rustic shelters are generally open from mid-June to mid-October although some open as early as the end of May. Seven shelters are located within a day’s climb of Oberstdorf. You can then choose from nine routes of varying levels of difficulty that run between the shelters.
E5 – from Oberstdorf to Merano:
The hike across the Alps along the E5 European long-distance hiking route from Oberstdorf to Merano is a truly unforgettable experience! Framed by the sometimes
charming, often imposing and, in many places, magical and awe-inspiring mountain landscape, this route is a true Alpine highlight!
Tip:
Further information and detailed descriptions of the individual stages for crossing the Alps can be obtained directly from the Oberstdorf Alpine schools (see page 85 for a list of providers) or online at www.oberstdorf.de/alpininfo
Ibex route
A trail that crosses the Allgäu Alps – over lush, green pastures one day and rocky mountain peaks the next. Occasionally passing traditional “Sennalpen” (dairy
huts), sometimes traversing mountain meadows blanketed with flowers!
Thanks to the rich geology of the region, the Allgäu Alps offer an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal species that is unrivalled anywhere in the Alps. Following a multi-day route
along the Allgäu’s central main ridge will give you an opportunity to be amazed on a daily basis by the wealth of plant and animal species that make their home here in the stunning
mountain landscape. The network of ridgeways known as the “Steinbocktour” (ibex route) or the “Allgäu-Querung” (Allgäu crossing), which total some 60 km in length, connect
the multi-faceted summits of the Allgäu’s central main ridge to create a completely unique experience!
The lowest point of this multi-day route is at 1,552 m at the end of the Rappenalptal valley between the Schrofen pass and the Mindelheimer Hütte. The highest point of the Allgäu
crossing, meanwhile, is the Hohes Licht at 2,651 m. Hiking the length of the Heilbronner Höhenweg ridgeway between the Rappenseehütte and the Waltenberger Haus is most
definitely the highlight of this multi-day tour in terms of natural scenery and Alpine experience. At the same time, it is the most technically demanding of the daily stages, occurring between the easier stages of the first few days and the routes between shelters towards the end of the Allgäu crossing, which require more physical fitness but are technically easier. However, there is no real alternative to completing the Heilbronner Höhenweg ridgeway section on this route.
The daily stages vary from a manageable three to four hours of hiking in the first few days to a maximum of eight hours of hiking a day during the final few stretches between shelters
on the extended route. After the shorter stages at the start of the route, you can choose to embark on additional, shorter summit hikes in the afternoons. The times specified
are based on average hiking times. You may take more or less time to complete the routes depending on your physical fitness. (As a general rule, flat to gently climbing stretches
can be covered at a speed of 4 to 6 km per hour, while it will take an hour to cover an elevation gain of 300 to 400 metres on steeper ascents, e.g. on mountain hiking trails).
The ibex route is divided into the following daily stages:
Day 1: From the Fellhornbahn cable car to the Fiderepasshütte
Day 2: Via the Fiderescharte to the Mindelheimer Hütte
Day 3: High above the Rappenalptal valley
Day 4: Via the Heilbronner Weg and the Schwarze Milz
Day 5: From the Kemptner Hütte to Oberstdorf
Day 6: (extension):
Via the Eissee lake to the Prinz-Luitpold-Haus
Day 7: (extension):
Via the Laufbacher Eck to the Edmund-Probst-
Haus, from the Edmund-Probst-Haus to Oberstdorf
For more information about the individual sections,
see www.oberstdorf.de/alpininfo
