Culinary hiking in Tyrol: 3 great huts for gourmets

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Anyone who regularly visits my blog knows that a stop at a hut is an integral part of a hike. Because let’s be honest – aren’t metres of altitude on foot reason enough to reward yourself with a fine hut meal?

For foodies like me, Tirol Tourismus has created themed hiking trails for this summer that focus on enjoyment. We have taken a close look at six of the nine culinary hikes and present our favourites in two articles. To kick things off, there are three special treats; If you like to be surprised by top cuisine, you should not miss the following huts.

With a view of the Kaiser – Angerer Alm

Such outstanding culinary art can be found in an enviable location high above St. Johann im Tirol on the Angerer Alm. Once the highest mountain farm in the village, the alpine pasture looks back on over 250 years of history. For three decades, the Angerer Alm has been known not only for its magnificent view of the Wilder Kaiser, but also for its excellent cuisine and well-stocked wine cellar. In 1989, Annemarie Foidl took over the reins of the alpine pasture, which her parents had leased the years before, and began to build up a wine list. Today, the president of the Austrian Sommelier Association, together with her daughter Katharina and her husband Gerald Weiss, takes care of the culinary well-being of the alpine guests.

Before we sit down on the well-occupied sun terrace, we want to explore the hiking area around the Kitzbüheler Horn. The Angerer Alm is located at around 1,300 m above sea level, a ten-minute walk above the middle station of the Harschbichlbahn cable car and can be reached both by gondola and on foot. The hiking trail starts directly at the valley station of the Harschbichlbahn and then winds its way through sparse fir forests and open alpine pastures up a good 650 metres in altitude to the alpine pasture. We still have energy left at the middle station and follow the well-signposted hiking trail towards the mountain station. The extra effort is rewarded with a phenomenal panoramic view over the Kitzbühel Alps!

Back at the Angerer Alm, Annemarie Foidl serves us sparkling wine with elderberries for an aperitif. “Anyone can make flowers,” she says with a wink. While traditional Tyrolean dishes are on the menu at lunchtime, a 4-course menu is served in the evening. Chef Gerard Weiss works closely with local farmers and so what nature has to offer is served. Of course, a good drop of wine should not be missing. I am pleased that Annemarie’s wine cellar also contains biodynamic wines.

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After an all-round perfect dinner, our cozy room awaits us one floor above the dining room. And that’s exactly what excites me about the Angerer Alm! The harmonious symbiosis between tradition, history and a palpable enthusiasm for regional cuisine. The shared pool is part of the convivial hut experience – “this ensures that people meet in the corridors,” says Annemarie, summing up her philosophy. Either way, an overnight stay at the Angerer Alm is actually a must. Not only because of the cuddly beds and the dreamlike morning mood, but also because the mountain breakfast is an experience in itself!

Hiking opportunities around the Angerer Alm

The starting point of the culinary hike to the Angerer Alm can be found at the valley station of the Harschbichlbahn. This is where the approximately 4.5-kilometre-long hiking trail starts, which leads from just under 700 m above sea level to 1,300 m above sea level. It is another 300 metres in altitude to the mountain station of the Harschbichelbahn. Alternatively, you can go up the gondola and go directly to the panoramic Horn summit high trail on the Kitzbüheler Horn.

5-star ambience – Wedelhütte

While the Angerer Alm offers a rustic hut experience, Tyrol’s only hut with a 5-star standard can be found in the Zillertal. Like an eagle’s nest, the Wedelhütte is located in a secluded location in the middle of the Tux Alps and is able to meet the highest demands. Only built in 2009, the hut has made a name for itself in its 10 years of existence and accommodates prominent guests from time to time. Despite all the chic, the Wedelhütte is uncomplicated – the perfect place to be pampered for a weekend in the middle of a magnificent mountain landscape.

The starting point of this hike is the Hirschbichlalm at 1,800 m above sea level on the Zillertal High Road. A high alpine terrain that makes hikers’ hearts beat faster. We shoulder our backpacks and follow the signposted hiking trail uphill over the wide alpine pastures of the Krössbrunnalm. Here, too, we allow ourselves an extra loop – after all, altitude meters are rarely in vain. And so, shortly before the reservoir, we turn left onto the Stoanmandlweg path, which leads us steeply uphill to the Wimbachkopf at 2,442 m above sea level. And lo and behold: Up here we are offered a 360° panorama over the Tux Alps.

In the meantime, my stomach growls. Luckily, the Wedelhütte is in sight. So it doesn’t take long until we feast on the deluxe version of the homemade Kaiserschmarrn on the terrace. The special feature of this Kaiserschmarrn is made with 100% spelt flour and served with fruity-sweet apple sauce, blueberry plum compote and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. However, with the additional meters of altitude we hiked, we have definitely earned this sinful delicacy.

Inside, the cosily designed guest rooms provide a cosy hut feeling. One floor below, there is also a special gem: the open-plan wine vault is one of the highest of its kind in the Alps. And even though we have had a hearty hit with Kaiserschmarrn, the fine smell from the kitchen awakens the appetite anew. According to the Falstaff Restaurant Guide, the cuisine of the Wedelhütte, which has been awarded three forks, is one of the best restaurants in Tyrol. What the crew around chef Christian Siegele serves us as part of the 4-course evening menu does not disappoint our high expectations. The Wedelhütte stands for a modern interpretation of alpine cuisine, which is cleverly seasoned and served with attention to detail.

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The 5-star standard is not limited to culinary. Those who spend the night at the Wedelhütte do not do so in small “strokes”, but enjoy generously designed suites with an unobstructed view of the surrounding mountain peaks.

By the way, bad weather is no reason to be gloomy up here. Either you make yourself comfortable with a book in front of the crackling fireplace, or you enjoy the luxury of relaxing in the whirlpool at 2,300 m above sea level.

Hiking opportunities around the Wedelhütte

The hike to the Wedelhütte starts at the Hirschbichelalm, which can be reached via the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse (toll road, costs for cars up to 6 people 8 euros). From there, there is a 3-kilometre ascent to the hut (on the direct path). There are 500 meters of altitude to overcome to the Wedelhütte. The hike can be easily completed as a circular hike over the Wimbachkopf. If you still have energy left after the 500 metres of altitude, you can add an additional loop over the 2,449 m high Marchkopf – beautiful views are guaranteed.

Top of Sölden – ice Q

We started our culinary adventure at 1,300 m above sea level and then enjoyed a princely meal at 2,300 m above sea level. The last hut experience takes us to a majestic 3,000 m above sea level. “Hütte” does not exactly describe the building in the middle of the imposing Ötztal mountains. The futuristic glass building, which served as the filming location for the James Bond film “Spectre”, now serves excellent award-winning cuisine.

For the time being, the way to the gourmet restaurant does not require beads of sweat. The ice Q is located right next to the Gaislachkogelbahn mountain station at 3,048 m above sea level. However, we don’t want to make it quite that easy for ourselves. On the one hand, there is a view of over 250 three-thousand-metre peaks in three different countries – what a panorama! On the other hand, the sun’s rays make the deep blue Lake Gaislach glisten. The short hike to the shore of the mountain lake can be perfectly combined with an exquisite lunch at ice Q. But be careful! The path is not without its challenges and leads over stony terrain crisply steep 345 meters in altitude into the depths. After all, you can “sin” after this round without a guilty conscience.

Three elements dominate the appearance of the restaurant: glass, wood and metal. The décor is discreet – the kitchen team and the surrounding mountains provide spectacle here. The ice Q not only offers a panoramic view of three countries, but also combines them in the house wine “Pino 3000”. The basis for this is provided by the Paul Achs winery from Austria, the South Tyrolean winery St. Pauls and the German winery Dr. Heger. The wine is aged in barrique barrels at the summit of the Gaislachkogl.

The menu includes a 3- or 4-course menu as well as a selection of ice Q classics, which can be ordered à la carte. What appeals to me about Klaus Holzner’s dishes is that you can feel the connection to the Ötztal and find local products on the menu. And no matter what you choose – make sure to leave room for dessert! The desserts at ice Q are seductively good.

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Hiking opportunities around the gourmet restaurant ice Q

The ice Q can be reached with the Gaislachkoglbahn from the village centre of Sölden. Once at the top, it is possible to descend the 345 metres in altitude over steep terrain to Lake Gaislach, which is considered one of the most beautiful mountain lakes in the Ötztal Alps. If you like to do some altitude training in between, you have the alternative option of climbing a good 850 metres in altitude from the middle station of the Gaislachkoglbahn to the mountain station. Scenically, however, this tour is less attractive than the short loop to the lake. In addition to the ice Q, the James Bond adventure world “007 Elements” awaits you below the summit of the Gaislachkogl. It is also a futuristic-looking building, the exhibition of which should not be missed, at least by James Bond fans.

Detailed hiking descriptions of all three culinary hikes presented as well as further information can be found at Tirol Tourismus. And if you prefer down-to-earth alpine pastures instead of gourmet huts, you will find three more tips for refreshments in this article: the most beautiful alpine pastures in Tyrol