The Best Alpine Huts in Lower Austria
Beef soup with herb fritters, lentils with dumplings, a delicious roast pork or something sweet - Buchtel or strudel? Anyone visiting the Hubertushaus in the Gutenstein Alps could be faced with a big decision. For distraction: enjoy the panorama.
Those who reach the highest mountain hut in Lower Austria (2,049 meters) after a family hike on the Schneeberg will be equally delighted by the view and the mountaineering fare. Most of the produce is sourced locally. Tip for romantics: celebrate a hut wedding.
In the Naturfreundehaus, situated on a southern foothill of the Schneeberg, no one is left hungry. The menu is extensive and offers popular classics as well as unusual dishes such as vegan hut soup, Nepalese momos or apricot chicken curry.
After a cold day's skiing, enjoy the cosy warmth of Mediterranean cuisine - Italian classics at the highest standard, served at 2400 metres above sea level. Fresh antipasti, creamy risotto and pasta cooked perfectly al dente. You can also stop for breakfast in the morning.
You would almost think: All paths lead to the Enzianhütte in the Viennese Alps. After all, there are eleven routes from three districts. And the kitchen also plays a large keyboard: great breakfast variations, game dishes, home-baked pastries and herbs from their own garden.
Popular with Viennese and Viennese woodsmen: The Kammersteinerhütte is located to the west of Perchtoldsdorf and can be reached quickly after a short hike. The menu offers a nice selection ranging from beef soup and goulash to sheep's cheese and rocket loaf and dumplings. Afterwards: pancakes!
The easily accessible hut on the Rudolfshöhe in the Traisen foothills is a popular destination for hikers, mountain bikers and weekend excursionists. On the large sun terrace, you can enjoy traditional dishes as well as homemade pastries and wines from the rarities menu.
In the middle of a wonderful hiking and mountain biking area - and far away from any light and noise pollution - this family-friendly hut in the Türnitz Alps delights guests with delicious hut cuisine and seasonally inspired dishes. Always good: the homemade strudel.
Down-to-earth, ecological shelter cuisine is the credo at the wood-shingled Kaiserkogelhütte in the eco-village of Eschenau above the rooftops of St. Pölten. Bärbel Riegler spoils hikers at 716 meters with popular hut classics and homemade pastries.
The fresh alpine air at an altitude of 1,230 meters, the magnificent panoramic view of the valley and the picturesque landscape of the Wechsel region are the backdrop for the down-to-earth cuisine of the mountain inn. From alpine breakfasts and game specialties to Grander spring water, everything here is special.
Those who climb the Reisalpe - the highest peak in the Gutenstein Alps - are rewarded with a unique 360-degree panorama. The landlady Helga Zöchling, who serves specialties from the Lilienfeld foothills of the Alps as well as seasonal dishes on the large terrace, provides a reward on your plate.
The oldest hut in the foothills of the Lower Austrian Alps still offers a rustic ambience and magnificent views in all directions. The view into pots and pans is also a pleasure: the menu is seasonal, with classics such as roasts being the order of the day.
The Zdarsky Hut in the Türnitz Alps, named after a ski pioneer, can be reached via the NATURerleben-Wancurasteig theme trail. The surrounding area is filled with rare flowers, while the dishes include hearty hut classics such as hand-rolled dumplings in many variations, roasts and pastries.
After a short hike from the parking lot in Moorbad Harbach, you reach the idyllically situated Nebelsteinhütte, from whose terrace you can admire the Waldviertel countryside. Karin Hruska spoils you with down-to-earth regional hut fare and vegetarian delicacies.
Accessible on foot, on skis, by bike or by car, the Grebenzenhaus is located in the middle of the nature park at 1660 meters above sea level and attracts guests with its large sun terrace and cosy Zirbenstüberl. The varied menu is based on seasonal ingredients from the region.
On the north side of the Schneeberg massif, this particularly sustainably managed hut invites you to enjoy distant views - as far as Lake Neusiedl in fine weather - and exceptionally good food, ranging from crispy roast pork to vegan dishes. Cozy parlors for small, fine celebrations.
Red geraniums on the balcony, green meadows all around and hearty gratinated dishes in the Pfanderl: at the Pottschacherhütte with a view of the Semmering region, landlady Bianca Krenthaller makes sure that you want to stay longer. The homemade grammel dumplings are legendary.
The particularly child-friendly Ybbstalerhütte at an altitude of 1,343 meters in the Dürrenstein wilderness area knows how to delight both families and mountaineers with honest hut food. The ingredients, such as the meat for the delicious wood-fired roast, come almost exclusively from the region.
The hut has been newly renovated, offers bedrooms for hikers, rooms for parties and delights with a fantastic starry sky on clear nights. Another delight: Bernhard Schwarz's excellent "slow food" cuisine - from fine cheese platters to homemade cakes.
Several hiking and cycling trails lead to the Lilienfelder Hütte (956 meters) on the north side of the Muckenkogel. The food is cooked fresh every day, and there is always something for vegetarians too: hearty soups, large snack sandwiches, vegetable loafs, roasts and home-baked goods from Sabine.