Hörndlhütte

The Hörndlhütte (also known as Hörnlehütte or Hörndlehütte) is a mountain hut owned and operated by the Starnberg section of the German Alpine Club (Deutscher Alpenverein, DAV). It sits at 1,390 metres above sea level on the north-west side of the Hörnle mountain near Bad Kohlgrub in the Garmisch-Partenkirchen district of Upper Bavaria, Germany. The hut is one of the few DAV huts open year-round, except for March and November. It offers 24 sleeping places and serves as a base for hikers exploring the Ammergauer Alps. The hut was built in 1911 by the Starnberg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuÖAV). It was expanded in 1959, adding the current 24 beds, and underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2004. In March 2024, it was closed for fire safety reasons, and the Starnberg section decided on a full renovation costing €320,000, which included 13 additional beds, a dining room, and new sanitary facilities. The hut reopened on 17 May 2024 under new tenants. The Hörndlhütte is closely linked to the Hörnlebahn, a double chairlift built in 1954 that is the world's only fixed double chairlift with swivelling chairs. The lift takes about 15–20 minutes to reach 1,400 metres, where the hut is a 5-minute walk from the top station. The hut is a popular destination for families, nature lovers, and hikers, offering a 360° panoramic view of the Zeitberg and the surrounding Alps. It serves traditional Bavarian mountain food and is a key stop on several long-distance hiking trails, including the European E4 route.

The Hörndlhütte was built in 1911 by the Starnberg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuÖAV) on the north-west side of the Hörnle mountain near Bad Kohlgrub. It was one of the early mountain huts in the Ammergauer Alps and served as a base for hikers and climbers. In 1959, the hut was expanded by the Starnberg section of the German Alpine Club (DAV), increasing its capacity to 24 sleeping places, a number that remains today. A comprehensive renovation took place in 2004, modernising the facilities while preserving its traditional character. On 18 March 2024, the hut was closed for fire safety reasons. The Starnberg section decided at its annual meeting in April 2024 to carry out a full renovation (Generalsanierung) by the end of June, adding 13 more beds, a dining room, and a new toilet facility, at a cost of €320,000. The hut reopened on 17 May 2024 under new tenants. The Hörndlhütte is closely associated with the Hörnlebahn, a double chairlift built in 1954, which is the world's only fixed double chairlift with swivelling chairs. The lift takes visitors to 1,400 metres, from where the hut is a 5-minute walk. The hut is a popular destination for hikers, offering access to the Hinteres Hörnle (1,548 m), Mittleres Hörnle (1,496 m), and Vorderes Hörnle (1,484 m) peaks, as well as being on the European long-distance path E4.

• 2024

  Closed on 18 March for fire safety reasons; full renovation decided in April; reopened on 17 May under new tenants.

• 2004

  Comprehensive renovation of the hut.

• 1959

  Hut expanded by the Starnberg section of the German Alpine Club (DAV), offering 24 sleeping places.

• 1954

  Hörnlebahn double chairlift built, providing access to the hut.

• 1911

  Hut built by the Starnberg section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuÖAV).

A traditional, family-friendly mountain hut in the Ammergauer Alps, offering year-round hospitality and easy access via a unique historic chairlift.

• Mountain hut accommodation

  24 sleeping places, open year-round except March and November.

• Traditional Bavarian cuisine

  Serves regional dishes and drinks to hikers and visitors.

1. 1Hörnle Schwebebahn official websitehoernlebahn.de
2. 2Hörndlhütte - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Hörnlehütte - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org