Hut Hiking Around the World
What is hut hiking?
Hut hiking is like island hopping, except you are in the woods, on a mountain, or in the jungle. Nights are spent far from roads and cities in trailside huts and cabins, and during the day you hike until you reach the next stop. Most people stop a couple of times during the day to rest and eat. Hut hiking offers more comfort than camping and saves you the weight of having to carry tent supplies. The environment is much like staying in hostels, but without the all night partying. Often you share the same space with other guests and it is not unusual to see communal kitchens, bathrooms, and bunk houses.
Many hikes take 3-6 days or more to complete fully, but you can just go overnight if you like. Most of the prized peaks are only a day’s walk away so you can easily return the next day, or continue traveling for a few days if you are more adventurous.
How much does hut hiking cost?
The fees vary widely all over the world. Typically you can expect a basic hut to go for about $10 a night and up to $85 for a fully catered stay. Huts in Europe usually fall somewhere in the middle, but look out for “Euro Huts” because they do not go out of their way to accommodate; it’s simply a bed and a roof for a night. What’s best is that most of the huts and lodges are cheap, there are no tourists, and no souvenir shops to waste your money in.
What should you bring?
You should only bring what’s absolutely necessary, and only the bare minimum. No one cares if you wear the same shorts or shirt for three days. Of course, bring a change of clothes for after the hike so you can get out of the sweaty ones and wash them. Some people swear by their sweaters and slippers on chilly nights, and an extra blanket or sleeping bag may not hurt. You should also bring some snacks and water, as well as lunch and cooking supplies if necessary. The more you carry the heavier your load will be, so only bring what you really need.
Where are the huts?
The huts and hut hiking trails are mostly located anywhere in and around large mountains, but can also be found in some wooded areas and jungle environments. Some of the huts are highly developed like Hutten in Switzerland and Germany, and Rifugios in Italy, or Cabanes in France. Other huts are the simplest offering hikers a bed to sleep in and roof over their heads like the Len Foote Hike Inn in Georgia or the Granite Park Chalet in Glacier National Park. Hiking huts are located all over the world in places like Australia, New Zealand, the United States, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Canada.
If you are comfortable hiking or walking for a few hours you will have no problem finding the huts since most of them are only a tier or two away from the base of the mountains. In the Alps it is only a 5-8 mile hike in between huts and most of the trails are fine for the inexperienced hiker. For the more experienced hiker looking for adventure and danger, some of the huts skirt glaciers and rocky cliffs that are much harder to get to.
What if I get lost?
It is almost impossible to get lost when hut hiking. Usually the trails that lead to and in between huts are well trodden and clearly marked. If you are worried about getting lost carry a map and a compass. There are always plenty of people trekking so if you want a hiking companion or group they are always there, if you want them. Another way to not get lost is to not wander too far from the campsites and beaten trails.
What are the sleeping quarters like?
Well, at least you will have a bed and a roof over your head, with the added bonus of a postcard view. Most hiking hut accommodations are shared bunks that can fit 6-12 people a night. Some of the huts and cabins have private rooms as well as bathrooms, but for the most part everything is communal. All the beds have some sort of mattress, but not always linens. Bring a sleeping bag or bed liner because most of the huts do not offer linens unless they are staffed.
What do you eat?
One of the best kept secrets about hut hiking other than its spectacular views is often the food. Everything always seems to taste better after a day of hiking, but that’s not the only reason the food tastes better at the huts. In the Alps the kitchens of the lodges and cabins are staffed to serve 4 course meals and wine, but in other lodges you will also consume hearty and flavorful soups and stews, rich salads and greens, and sometimes meat and cheese. Self service huts, like the ones in New Zealand have stoves, but you have to bring and cook your own meals. This is fun too though because most people share culture over meals prepared by people from all over the world. It is not unusual to sit down to dinner with 20 or more people. The communal setting allows you to enjoy each others company and learn a little bit about culture.
What kind of people will you meet?
Anyone who loves to travel knows they love it because of the people. It’s not about the journey or where you are heading; it’s about who you meet along the way and what they share with you. The trails are popular with locals, hikers, and foreigners. It isn’t unusual to spend your morning hiking with Swedish and Germans, to have lunch with a French man, and spend your nights with Asians and Indians, the possibilities are endless. It is typical for 50 to 100 people to be at the sight of one hut, at one time. On some days, hundreds of people may pass through one single hut or lodge. You will meet people from all over the world and share great stories, food, music, and laughter.
