Grutten Hut


The Grutten Hut is an Alpine club hut at a height of 1620 metres in the Kaisergebirge in Tyrol in Austria. It is owned by the Turner Alps Kränzchen Section of the German Alpine Club.

Location

The hut is located on the sunny southern side of the Wilder Kaiser ridge on a grassy terrace high above the villages of Ellmau and Going with an outstanding view that, on clear days, takes in the Großvenediger. Towering above this heavily frequented hut is the Ellmauer Halt that, at, is the highest mountain in the Kaisergebirge range. On fine summer days the Grutten Hut is a popular destination for hikers and an important base for mountaineers and climbers, who can set out from here on numerous Alpine tours to the summits of the Wilder Kaiser.

History

The Grutten Hut was built in 1899 on its present site by the Alpen Turner Kränzchen Section and Carl Babenstuber and was ceremonially opened on 14 July 1900. Soon afterwards a glass veranda, a wash house and a mule stable were built. In 1922 a separate sleeping block, the Josef Dorn Haus was built and in 1925 the then manager of the hut, Hans Eisenmann, created a climbing area through the Wilde Gschloß, the present-day Jubiläumssteig. In 1938 there were further modifications and extensions, including another sleeping block, the Emil Kempfle Haus. During the Second World War the Grutten Hut was commandeered and it remained closed until 1951 after the border opening when there was a great influx into the Tyrol. In the 1960s further major upgrades and extensions were added. Even after a new well was dug, its supply was hardly any greater, and just before its 100th anniversary a costly sewer conduit was built. This not only ensures the supply of water and drainage, but also provides the lodge with electricity and telephone service. In 2002, the sanitary facilities were modernized and a wooden terrace was built.

Access

By car from Kufstein drive through Scheffau to Ellmau. From Salzburg pass through Lofer and St. Johann in Tirol to Ellmau. Then branch north and finally drive along the toll road up to the Wochenbrunner Alm where there is a large car park.

Approaches