Alpine Club Urges Mindful Mountain Stays with New “Hut Knigge“
The Austrian Alpine Association (ÖAV), in collaboration with German and South Tyrolean partner organizations, has launched an updated “Hut Knigge” – a set of ten rules designed to promote responsible behavior and resource conservation in mountain huts. The initiative aims to address growing concerns about “ruthlessness” observed among visitors, including issues like double bookings and excessive resource consumption.
The updated guide, building upon a previous version, seeks to educate guests about the unique conditions and challenges inherent in mountain hut environments, rather than dictating behavior.with many huts experiencing high visitor numbers, especially during the summer months, problems such as overcrowding and simultaneous reservations for multiple huts have become increasingly prevalent.
Key recommendations within the “Hut Knigge” emphasize conscious resource management,including taking short,cold showers,minimizing water and electricity usage,and practicing waste prevention.Guests are also encouraged to switch their mobile phones to flight mode and to pack only essential items, recognizing that mountain infrastructure and resources are significantly more limited than in urban settings.
“A hut on the mountain is not a hotel – and certainly not an important catwalk in advance what you really need,” stated Carolin Scharfenstein, an employee of the Alpine Club’s Huts and Ways department. she stressed that living responsibly on the mountain involves simple actions like reducing shower times and taking personal trash.
The association has specifically highlighted the issue of reservation behavior, where sleeping places are frequently booked across multiple huts for the same period, allowing individuals to make last-minute decisions. This practise is deemed unfair to other climbers and creates meaningful logistical challenges for hut staff. The ÖAV urges guests to make only serious reservations, notify of any changes promptly, and inform hosts of late arrivals.
Furthermore, the “Hut Knigge” promotes climate-friendly travel, noting that transportation often contributes the most to environmental pollution during hut tours. Many huts are accessible via public transport, and carpooling is encouraged for routes where this is not feasible.
ÖAV spokesman Peter Neuner-Knabl emphasized that alpine club huts serve as vital spaces for relaxation, protection, and community. To maintain this, “mindfulness, respect, and a essential understanding of the conditions on the mountain are needed,” he said. The new “Hut Knigge” is presented not as a restriction, but as an invitation for guests to embrace obligation for the mountain surroundings, ensuring its preservation for future generations. The content will be disseminated through social media and the Alpine Club’s website.
