Düsseldorfer Hütte

The Düsseldorfer Hütte (Italian: Rifugio Serristori), also known as the Zaytalhütte, is a mountain shelter (Schutzhütte) in the Ortler Alps of South Tyrol, northern Italy. It sits at 2,721 metres above sea level in the Zaytal valley, a side valley of the Suldental, within the Stelvio National Park. The hut is owned by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol and has been operated by the Reinstadler family for five generations. It offers accommodation, traditional mountain cuisine, and a sun terrace with panoramic views of the Ortler, Zebru, and Königsspitze peaks. The hut is a base for numerous alpine hikes and climbs, ranging from family walks to glacier lakes to demanding summit ascents such as the Vertainspitze and Hoher Angelus. It is also known for visits by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The Düsseldorfer Hütte was built in 1892 by the Düsseldorf section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuOeAV). After World War I, it was expropriated and handed over to the Florence section of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), which renamed it Rifugio Serristori after its deceased member Alfredo Serristori. In 1928, the Milan section of the CAI took over the hut and initiated a comprehensive renovation in 1991 with the active help of the operating family. Together with 24 other state-expropriated mountain huts, the Düsseldorfer Hütte passed into the ownership of the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol in 1999; the CAI's concession to manage it expired at the end of 2010. Since 2015, the province has been supported in administering the hut (leasing to tenants, monitoring operations, renovation measures) by a parity commission that includes the AVS and CAI alongside public authorities. The hut has been managed by the Reinstadler family for five generations. Walter Reinstadler (4th generation), a mountain guide, farmer, and passionate hut keeper, ran the hut for 38 years together with his wife Resi and handed over its management to his son Martin in 2016. Martin and his wife Veronika have worked at the hut for years and can count on the active support of their parents and brothers. The hut gained fame through regular visits by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

• 2016

  Walter Reinstadler hands over management to his son Martin.

• 2015

  A parity commission including AVS and CAI is established to support the province in hut administration.

• 2010

  CAI's concession to manage the hut expires; province takes over administration.

• 1999

  Ownership passes to the Autonomous Province of Bolzano – South Tyrol.

• 1991

  Comprehensive renovation with help from the operating family.

• 1928

  Milan section of the CAI takes over the hut.

• 1918

  After World War I, expropriated and handed to the Florence section of the CAI, renamed Rifugio Serristori.

• 1892

  Built by the Düsseldorf section of the DuOeAV.

A family-friendly, historic high-alpine refuge offering authentic South Tyrolean hospitality and access to classic Ortler Alps routes.

• Overnight accommodation

• Traditional South Tyrolean mountain cuisine

• Sun terrace with drinks (e.g., Weißbier)

1. 1Düsseldorferhütte in Sulden am Ortler - Südtirolduesseldorferhuette.com
2. 2Geschichte - Düsseldorferhütteduesseldorferhuette.com
3. 3Düsseldorfer Hüttewikidata.org
4. 4Düsseldorfer Hüttede.wikipedia.org