Grüntenhaus

The Grüntenhaus is a historic mountain guesthouse (Berggasthaus) located at 1,535 metres on the Grünten mountain in the Allgäu Prealps of Bavaria, Germany. It was founded in 1854 by Carl Hirnbein, a visionary entrepreneur from Wilhams who is often called the 'Notwender des Allgäus' (saviour of the Allgäu) for his role in developing the region's tourism and dairy industries. The Grüntenhaus holds the distinction of being the first hotel in the Allgäu Alps, and one of the earliest mountain hotels in Germany. Originally conceived as a bourgeois hotel offering dining, accommodation, and even a whey cure (Molkenkur), it was built in a 'Gebirgsstyle' (mountain style) with a restaurant, nine guest rooms, a dormitory, stables, and a cheese dairy. Over the decades, it evolved from a grand hotel into a rustic mountain inn with hut character, offering simple meals, drinks, and five multi-bed rooms for hikers. The guesthouse is accessible only on foot, typically via a 20-minute walk from the Grüntenseilbahn mountain station or via hiking trails from Burgberg and Kranzegg. It is known for its panoramic views over the Allgäu and its motto 'Als Gast kommen, als Freund gehen' (Come as a guest, leave as a friend). Since 2023, the hut has been run by Thomas and Feli, a local couple from Burgberg. In a heartfelt announcement on the official website, they stated that their time at the Grüntenhaus will end with the 2026 mountain season, marking the close of a chapter in the historic property's long history. The Grüntenhaus remains a beloved destination for hikers and a symbol of Allgäu hospitality.

The Grüntenhaus was the first hotel in the Allgäu Alps and is now a mountain guesthouse with hut character. The building stands at an elevation of 1,535 metres on the Grünten mountain, which was chosen for the hotel because of its location offering a wide view over the Allgäu. On a journey to Switzerland, Carl Hirnbein, an entrepreneur from Wilhams in the Allgäu, became aware of the possibilities of tourist use of the mountain world. He reported to his wife on 30 July 1842 about a visit to the Rigi, where six inns or hotels already existed at that time, and the crowds of people on the summit. Ten years later he bought both the Alpe Gund in the Grüntenmulde and the alp area Schartenschwand. In 1853, construction of an inn in 'mountain style' according to the plans of a Kempten architect began on the alp area above Burgberg. While the stones for the foundation could be broken on site, the remaining building materials had to be brought to the construction site with carriers and pack animals. 30 workers under the direction of master mason Schwarz from Immenstadt in the Allgäu were employed there from May to September 1853. In addition to the restaurant with accommodation for about 18 guests, stable buildings and a cheese dairy were erected. A pavilion was also built on the Hochwarthe, today's location of the Grünten transmitter. While the foundations of the hotel and the stables were built in solid construction, bricks were used for the rest of the buildings. In September 1853, carpenter Ignaz Jäck from Immenstadt erected the roof truss. In 1854, the existing narrow footpath from Burgberg to the Grünten was also expanded into a path that could be ridden. Land acquisition and inventory cost Carl Hirnbein about 15,000 guilders. In the middle of 1854, the Grüntenhaus, which had a dining hall as well as nine guest rooms and a dormitory in the attic, could be opened. Beer, wine, Selters water and champagne were available for entertaining guests. In the dairy, the production of Limburger cheese began. Cultural needs of the guests were met by acquiring a guitar and setting up a small library. Souvenirs in the form of books and steel engravings could also be purchased in the hotel. The first guests, members of the Bürger-Sänger-Zunft München, arrived on 15 June 1854. Although the Grüntenhaus was already operated as a restaurant and hotel in the summer of 1854, the official opening did not take place until 10 June 1855. Hirnbein advertised on a flyer with, among other things, the convenient railway connection in Immenstadt, the 'indescribably charming view', the 'well-equipped dairy' – the Alpe Gund was then grazed by about 26 cows – as well as the culinary advantages and the service of his house. Hirnbein employed not only a head and an under-senn, a guard for the winter, a cook and a waitress, but soon also set up an auxiliary post office at the Grüntenhaus. To attract guests, he placed advertisements in various newspapers. From the beginning, he addressed not only hikers and mountaineers, but also provided the opportunity to ride from Burgberg to the Grünten. For this purpose, he imported four mules from Savoy and hired a donkey driver. He also offered the possibility of taking a whey cure. Hirnbein's concept of a rather bourgeois hotel was later not pursued further. The Grüntenhaus still exists but is run as a mountain guesthouse with hut character. Today it offers only a restaurant and five multi-bed rooms for hikers. It is reachable for hikers from various starting points. From the mountain station of the Grüntenseilbahn, which starts in Rettenberg, the Grüntenhaus can be reached on foot in about 20 minutes. An application by the operator to build a road to the Grüntenhaus was rejected, among other reasons for environmental protection. Among the most prominent spa guests was Karl Brater, who had founded the Süddeutsche Zeitung. About his stay – the members of the Brater family were probably the first guests to stay for a longer time in the Grüntenhaus – Agnes Sapper reported in her work Frau Pauline Brater – Lebensbild einer deutschen Frau. Another frequent guest at the Grüntenhaus was the Bavarian politician Joseph Völk, in whose honour a large commemorative celebration was held at the Grüntenhaus in 1884.

• 2026

  Announcement that the innkeepers' time ends with the 2026 mountain season.

• 2023

  Thomas and Feli become the innkeepers of Grüntenhaus.

• 1884

  Commemorative celebration for Joseph Völk held at Grüntenhaus.

• 1855

  Official opening on 10 June.

• 1854

  Grüntenhaus opens as the first hotel in the Allgäu Alps; first guests arrive on 15 June.

• 1853

  Construction of the inn begins; 30 workers build the foundation and structure.

• 1852

  Carl Hirnbein purchases Alpe Gund and Schartenschwand.

• 1842

  Carl Hirnbein visits Rigi and reports to his wife about the tourist potential of mountains.

Traditional mountain guesthouse with hut character, offering regional food and drinks with panoramic views.

• Regional drinks

  Beer from Allgäuer Braukunst and Brauerei Schäffler Missen, fruity lemonades from FZ Getränke Rosshaupten.

• Homemade dishes

  Regional cuisine including Allgäuer Bergkäse from Bergbauern Sennerei Hüttenberg and quality baked goods from Bäckerei Albinger Burgberg.

• Accommodation

  Five multi-bed rooms for hikers.

1. 1Das Grüntenhaus - Gastfreundschaft seit 1854!gruentenhaus.de
2. 2Grüntenhaus | Grünten | Grünten, Burgberg im Allgäu, Germanygruentenhaus.de
3. 3Grüntenhaus - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Grüntenhaus - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org