Mittenwalder Hut in the Bavarian Alps of Germany

A glittering diamond in the rough

From this vantage point you may wonder how anyone could access this hut, nestled in the Bavarian Alps? By hiking in, of course. There are well over 1,000 such huts dotting the Alpine landscape throughout Europe, most of them built and maintained by social clubs devoted to climbing, hiking and other mountain activities. They allow hikers to get out onto mountain trails, sometimes for days, carrying as little as possible. No need to pack cooking equipment, tents and sleeping bags when you have guaranteed shelter each night, with dinners, breakfasts and, if you’re lucky, a hot shower, included.

Do pack earplugs and a sleeping bag liner though, as most of the beds are lined up next to each other in a dormitory setting. The hiking season in the Bavarian Alps typically begins in mid-May and lasts until the end of October. Weather, and pandemics, permitting of course.