Stubai High Trail: Day 1 (Fulmpes - Starkenburger Hütte)

When I accidentally came across a mention of the Stubai High Trail in a Facebook travel group, I was so intrigued by this round trip through the Austrian Alps that I went on it a few months later - in the company of my sister.

And what do I think is so special about it, apart from the beautiful nature and breathtaking views? The demanding hiking trail leading above the Stubai Valley - so-called from hut to hut - has one huge advantage: from any hut you can go back down to the valley if you run out of energy or the weather is not in your favor.

And before we get to the first part of the trail, here are some useful facts and information:

• the ridge path is almost 80 km long, on which you climb almost 6,000 meters in height and visit 8 mountain huts
• you can also find the route marked on Mapy.cz
• the High Trail has its website translated into English, where there is a lot of good information
• you can climb the trail both all at once and in stages - from any hut you can go back down to the valley - and it is also possible to start it either at Starkenburger Hütte or Innsbrucker Hütte
• the ideal time of year to complete it is from mid-June to the end of September (depending on the weather and snow conditions) - for up-to-date information, I recommend following the unofficial Facebook page of the trail or contacting the Stubai information center (personal experience: both respond relatively quickly via their FB pages and communicate in English)
• you don't need any special equipment to climb the ridge, such as ferrata harnesses, crampons, ice axes - you can do it with quality hiking equipment
• even if the trail is well marked, sure footing, mountain experience and good fitness are essential for a successful climb (and a bit of luck with the weather)
• it is worth taking out Alpenverein insurance - in addition to being covered for high-altitude tourism (and other travel activities; be careful, this is not travel insurance!), you will also get a discount on accommodation and meals somewhere at each hut (so your annual fee will return within this one week)

We set out on our journey at the end of July 2023, when rains and storms prevailed in most of the European territory. Since the huts are being booked several weeks and months in advance, we had no choice but to hope that the weather would be kind to us at least for a few days.

My sister got sick a few days before the start of the hike, so we decided to take it easy on the first day and shorten the journey to the Starkenburger Hütte by cable car. We slept in a guesthouse in the town of Neustift im Stubaital, and the next day we left the car in the parking garage at the Schlick 2000 cable car in Fulmpes (weekly parking, which is paid only when you leave, cost a little over 50 EUR). From here to the hut, the journey is about 11.5 km with an elevation gain of almost 1,300 meters, however, you can shorten the stage to 4 km with the cable car and you will have 300 meters of elevation gain (and 170 meters down).

After heavy storms and rains, which damaged one part of the cable car, we only had the opportunity to reach the middle station in the direction of Kreuzjoch, and we therefore had to climb 900 meters in height for almost 9 km. The journey is comfortable, the whole time you will walk along a paved and wide road, and about halfway you will come across the possibility of refreshments at the Galtalm hut.

On the way to the Starkenburger Hütte, you will get your first glimpses of the entire Stubai Valley, which you will circumnavigate throughout the week, with the Stubai Glacier in the distance. And even though it was raining in the distance above the valley, the rain avoided us the whole way up.

At the Starkenburger Hütte, you will have the option of staying in a so-called lager (a large room with several beds) in the annex building or in smaller rooms directly in the hut. The cottage also offers half-board meals (breakfast and three-course dinner), or à la carte. You will find only toilets and a washroom here, so you will have to let go of the desire to take a shower - whether hot or cold. Or, ideally, save it for the next hut: Franz-Senn Hütte, which you will arrive at the very next day :-)