Zeppezauerhaus

The Zeppezauerhaus is a mountain hut (Schutzhütte) of the Sektion Salzburg of the Österreichischer Alpenverein (ÖAV), situated at 1,663 metres above sea level just below the Geiereck on the northern side of the Untersberg in the Berchtesgaden Alps, in the state of Salzburg, Austria. It lies only a few metres from the border with the Berchtesgadener Land. Because it is easily reached via the Untersberg cable car, the hut is a popular destination for day-trippers who come to enjoy the view over the city of Salzburg. It also serves as a base for mountaineers and long-distance hikers on the Rupertiweg, and the surrounding area offers excellent conditions for climbers and cave explorers. The history of the hut begins in 1872, when the Salzburg section of the Alpine Club planned to build a shelter on the Untersberg. In 1883 the so-called Untersberghaus was built in just three months and ceremonially opened on 31 July 1883. After a fire caused by a defective stove on 17 October 1912, the shelter burned down completely. In 1914 a larger hut was built and named after Moritz Zeppezauer, then chairman of the Salzburg section. In 1930/1931 the attic was converted. In recent years the Zeppezauerhaus has received exemplary facilities for local energy generation and wastewater disposal, modern sanitary installations, and a complete renovation. Since 2019 the hut has been leased and run by Uschi and Anton, passionate mountaineers and ski tourers who fulfilled a dream by managing their own hut. The hut offers food and drink, rooms for overnight stays, and a base for numerous tours across the Untersberg. In August 2024 a project for a quality-enhancing extension was presented, including changing rooms and sanitary facilities for staff, a drying room for clothing and equipment, and new gender-separated washrooms for guests, with estimated costs of €500,000. A petition by Austrian alpine associations is collecting signatures for more funding for mountain huts and trail maintenance. If the lease is terminated, the Salzburg Alpine Club will cease hut operations at the end of October 2026, as the house no longer meets the status of a classic shelter.

The history of the Zeppezauerhaus begins in 1872, when the Sektion Salzburg of the Österreichischer Alpenverein (ÖAV) planned to build a shelter on the Untersberg. As tourist numbers increased enormously after the construction of the Dopplersteig trail, the opening of the Kolowratshöhle cave, and the Gamslöcher, the upper Rosittenalm and the Firmianalm were leased in 1874. In 1883 the Untersberghaus was built in just three months and ceremonially opened on 31 July 1883. One room served the landowner as a hunting parlour. In 1899 the hut was extended with an additional storey. On 17 October 1912, a defective stove caused a fire that completely destroyed the shelter on the Untersberg. In 1914 a larger shelter was built and named after Moritz Zeppezauer, chairman of the Salzburg section of the ÖAV. Due to the circumstances of the time, it was opened without any ceremony. In 1930/1931 the attic was converted. In recent years the Zeppezauerhaus received facilities for local energy generation and wastewater disposal. At the same time, modern sanitary installations were built and the entire hut was renovated. Since 2019, Uschi and Anton have been the leaseholders of the Zeppezauerhaus. They are passionate mountaineers and ski tourers, and describe running their own hut as a dream come true. In August 2024, a project for a quality-enhancing extension was presented. It includes changing rooms and sanitary facilities for staff, a drying room for clothing and equipment, and new gender-separated washrooms for guests. The removal of a rocky knoll next to the existing house is also necessary, with estimated costs of €500,000. Currently, a petition by the alpine associations of Austria is collecting signatures to the (future) federal government for more funding for mountain huts and trail maintenance. If the lease is terminated, the Salzburg Alpine Club will cease hut operations at the end of October 2026, as the house no longer meets the status of a classic shelter.

• 2026

  Hut operations to cease at end of October if lease is terminated.

• 2024

  Project for quality-enhancing extension presented in August, estimated at €500,000.

• 2019

  Uschi and Anton become leaseholders of the Zeppezauerhaus.

• 1930

  Attic conversion takes place (1930/1931).

• 1914

  Larger shelter built and named after Moritz Zeppezauer; opened without ceremony.

• 1912

  Fire caused by defective stove completely destroys the shelter on 17 October.

• 1899

  Hut extended with an additional storey.

• 1883

  Untersberghaus built in three months and ceremonially opened on 31 July.

• 1874

  Upper Rosittenalm and Firmianalm are leased due to increasing tourist numbers.

• 1872

  Sektion Salzburg of the ÖAV plans to build a shelter on the Untersberg.

A traditional Alpine Club mountain hut offering hospitality and shelter to day visitors and mountaineers on the Untersberg.

• Mountain hut accommodation

• Food and beverage service

• Overnight stays

• Base for hiking, climbing, and cave exploration

1. 1Hütte | Zeppezauerhaus am Untersberg | Salzburgzeppezauerhaus.at
2. 2GESCHICHTE | Zeppezauerhaus am Untersberg | Salzburgzeppezauerhaus.at
3. 3Zeppezauerhaus - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Zeppezauerhaus - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org