Padasterjochhaus

The Padasterjochhaus is a mountain hut and hospitality brand located at 2,232 metres above sea level in the Gschnitztal valley of Tyrol, Austria. It is the oldest Naturfreundehaus (Friends of Nature house) in Austria, built in 1907 by the Vienna section of the Naturfreunde. The hut sits in the Stubai Alps, between the well-known peaks of Habicht and Serles, and offers panoramic views of the Zillertal Alps, the Tuxer Voralpen, the Tribulaune and the Dolomites. It is a destination for families, hikers and mountain bikers, with access routes from Gschnitz and the Stubaital. Since 1962 the hut has been run by the Pranger family, currently Agi and Paul Pranger, who have preserved its original character while adding modern technical and sanitary facilities. The hut is open seasonally, typically from mid-June to late September, and welcomes a loyal base of regular guests. The Padasterjochhaus is more than a building; it is a brand of traditional Alpine hospitality, rooted in the Naturfreunde movement's ideals of community ownership and access to the mountains. The hut's history is closely tied to the Naturfreunde organisation. After the Austrian Naturfreunde were banned in 1934, the hut was entrusted to associations accepted by the regime, and after 1945 it was returned to the Naturfreunde. Today it remains a popular base for mountain tours, with nearby summits including the Hammerspitze, Kesselspitze, Kirchdachspitze and Lämpermahdspitze. The Padasterjochhaus is a living piece of Austrian mountaineering heritage and a beloved destination in the Tyrolean Alps.

The Padasterjochhaus was born out of the early 20th-century Naturfreunde movement's desire for its own mountain hut. In the late 19th century, a building group of the Naturfreunde was formed but lacked sufficient funds, forcing members to use huts and paths of other associations. This led to the idea of creating 'community property'. In 1904, the idea arose in Tyrol to build a house on the Serles ridge. On 17 April 1905, the Naturfreunde decided at Padasterjoch near Steinach am Brenner to erect a shelter according to plans by Innsbruck member Depaoli. Work began in 1905 with the construction of an access road. The shell was completed on 13 October 1906, and the house was officially opened on 12 August 1907. The Naturfreunde borrowed 25,000 crowns for the construction. The hut received 1,000 visitors annually. When the Naturfreunde association was banned on 14 February 1934 by the Austrofascist regime, the hut was entrusted to associations accepted by the regime. After 1945, it was returned to the Naturfreunde. Since 1962, the Pranger family has operated the hut, preserving its original character while modernising facilities. In 2020/21, the Rohrauersteig was fully renovated. The hut celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.

• 2020

  Rohrauersteig fully renovated (2020/21).

• 2007

  100th anniversary celebration.

• 1962

  Pranger family takes over operation of the hut.

• 1945

  Hut returned to the Naturfreunde after World War II.

• 1934

  Naturfreunde banned; hut entrusted to regime-accepted associations.

• 1907

  Official opening on 12 August; first Naturfreundehaus in Austria.

• 1906

  Shell completed on 13 October.

• 1905

  On 17 April, decision to build at Padasterjoch; work begins with access road.

• 1904

  Idea to build a Naturfreunde hut in Tyrol on the Serles ridge.

Traditional, family-run Alpine hut offering authentic Naturfreunde hospitality and access to the Stubai Alps.

• Overnight stays

  Accommodation in a historic mountain hut at 2,232 m.

• Hut cuisine

  Traditional Tyrolean dishes and drinks.

• Mountain tours

  Guided and self-guided hiking and mountain biking routes.

1. 1Padasterjochhaus im Gschnitztalpadasterjochhaus.at
2. 2Geschichtepadasterjochhaus.at
3. 3Wikidata: Padasterjochhauswikidata.org
4. 4Wikipedia (French): Padasterjochhausfr.wikipedia.org