1st Nuvolau hut: Dolomites, Tel. 0039-0436-867938, 2575 m
The Adlerhorst with a 360-degree panorama. Since 1883, the small hut on a rocky spur in the Ampezzo Dolomites has defied wind and weather. It can also be reached by chairlift from the north and south. However, you have to carry your bike up the last few metres. In return, the ice field of the Marmolada shines in your face at the top.
2nd Schlüterhütte: Dolomites, www.schlueterhuette.com, 2306 m
On a green saddle between the Geißlerspitzen and Peitlerkofel peaks sits a gourmet kitchen in a hut costume. The dishes may sound like typical mountain fare, but nowhere are they served more deliciously than here. Alpine crossers love to fill their bellies here. That's why the hut is so popular. Make sure you book!
3rd Karwendelhaus: Tyrol, www.karwendelhaus.com, 1765 m
Once a year, a real touring biker from the Munich area rides up there. From Scharnitz, the gravel road first winds its way crisply through the large Karwendel valley, then it takes a leisurely route through the Himalayan-like landscape. It is only at the end that it reaches the final chordal hairpin bends. After all, the Kaiserschmarrn at the Karwendelhaus has to be earned. If you're early enough, you'll find a box seat on the viewing balcony around half the hut and can watch the following bikers cranking up the mountain. If you're too late, it's hard to find a place to park your bike up here. After their rest, most of them head back down the same way. But if you're really keen, you can complete the "Grand Tour of the Karwendel" and stop off again at the Falken Hut.
4th Gampe Thaya: Ötztal, www.gampethaya.riml.com, 2000 m
If the ingredients are fresh enough, you don't need baking powder for a fluffy Kaiserschmarrn. And on the Gampe Thaya above Sölden, the chicken practically lays the egg outside the kitchen window. Rustic meets modern: the Gampe Thaya is also a favourite destination of the people of Sölden - and that is always a guarantee of quality. A real mountain experience!
5th Fanes hut: Dolomites, www.rifugiofanes.com, 2060 m
Spacious showers on each floor, double rooms with chequered bed linen and a buffet for breakfast. The Faneshütte above St. Vigil is almost a small mountain hotel - without having lost its rustic charm. Alpine crossers like to stop off here, and it's worth staying longer for the scenery alone, as the Fanes-Sennes-Braies Nature Park is one of the most spectacular biking areas in the Dolomites. However, you are naturally more likely to do long day tours from the hut. If you can't manage the last steep metres up into the Fanes Valley at the end, the host can pick you up at the Pederü hut in a jeep. After the tour, you can meet up in the evening sun on the wooden terrace and enjoy an after-work wheat beer while listening to the stories of those who have crossed the Alps, before moving on to a typically delicious Ladin dinner.
6th Capanna Grassi: Lake Garda, Tel. 0039-0464-501181, 1056 m
There are not so many medium-difficulty tours with a hut destination after the ascent on Lake Garda. That's why the Capanna is always busy. However, this is not only due to the Moser guide, who recommends the tour, but also to the friendly hosts and the extremely tasty pasta cuisine.
7th Pleisen hut: Karwendel, Tel. 0043-664-9158792, 1757 m
Toni Gaugg, also known as "the Pleisentoni", was something like the Luis Trenker of the Karwendel. After his return from captivity as a prisoner of war, he built the hut on his favourite mountain above Scharnitz, the Pleisen. When he died in 2007, his son Siggi took over the hut. There is no running water and no electricity, but there is delicious food, good nut schnapps and an extremely friendly landlord.
8th Dürrenstein hut: Dolomites, www.vallandro.it, 2040 m
The hut, which was renovated a few years ago and offers excellent cuisine, is located below the Strudelkopf. A magnificent two-day tour leads there: from San Vigilio via the Furcia Pass and via Monguelfo up to Prato Piazza. After a cosy overnight stay at the Dürrenstein hut, the route loops back through the Fanes. Info with GPS data and road book: www.bike-gps.com
9. malga Venegiota: Dolomites, tel. 0039-0462-576044, 1824 m
Val Venegia is a must for every touring biker anyway. You simply have to experience this scenery on the rocky peaks of the Pale di San Martino. You can get there either via the Passo Rolle or the Passo Valles. The Agritur Malga Venegiota with its home-made specialities awaits in the middle. A dream come true!
10th Alp Grüm/Belvedere: Engadin, www.belvedere-engadin.ch, 2189 m
On one side of the viewing terrace you can see the waterfalls of the Palü glacier and on the other side you can look down into Val Poschiavo. Not only do the tracks of the famous Bernina railway wind their way down here, but there are also some really exciting trails. The speciality of the small hut: pizzocheri (buckwheat pasta) and all the cakes. Make sure you book!
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
