The Becherhaus,
the highest refuge in South Tyrol

The Becherhaus: from Ridnaun, a really rewarding hiking destination and at the same time an institution in South Tyrol. The refuge is located on the south side of the Stubai Alps at 3,195 m above sea level - where the air gets thinner and the sky is almost within reach. It is not for nothing that the Becherhaus, which seems to stand on the roof of the world, is also called "Cloud Castle” because it grants a truly breathtaking and unique panorama.

The Becherhaus mountain hut was built in 1894 by the DÖAV, the German and Austrian Alpine Club, on the peak of the same name, "the Becher", a pre-peak of the Wilder Freiger (3,418m). For this, 25 tons of material were brought from Ridnaun/Maiern to the summit. Among the key figures during the construction phase were the Ridnaun innkeeper Stefan Haller, who organised the material transports, and the Pflerscher master carpenter Johann Kelderer, who planned the mountain hut. After a construction period from March to August, the hut was finally opened under the name "Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Schutzhaus". In the same year, the listed chapel "Maria im Schnee" was also built and can still be visited today. South Tyrol's highest refuge "perches" in the Stubai Alps, near the state border with Austria, at 3,195 m above sea level and is nestled in a dreamlike world of glaciers. Only a few animals still live up here and plants also have a hard time finding their habitat there. Nevertheless, the Becherhaus refuge, which can only be reached on foot or by helicopter, offers running water, hot meals (depending on the weather from around the end of June to September) and cosy sleeping accommodation for up to 100 people.

The mountain hut in the Ridnauntal Valley

Originally, the Becherhaus near Ridnaun had a different name, which had already been decided by the Hanover Section before construction began in January 1893. In order to thank the Prussian-Bohemian sections for their support, today's Becherhaus was named "Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Schutzhaus". The opening finally took place as planned on 18 August, on the birthday of Emperor Franz Joseph. A few years later, after the hut was expropriated by the Italian state, it was given the name Becherhaus because it was built up piece by piece and after arduous work on the summit of the Becher, on the edge of the Übertalferner.

How do you get to the Becherhaus today? You can start the ascent from many directions. On the Austrian side, the Becherhaus mountain hut can be reached from the Ötztal and Stubaital valleys. On the South Tyrolean side from the Passeier Valley or from Ridnaun. The starting point of the summit tour is from the head of the Ridnauntal valley.

From there, you first take hiking trail no. 9 to the Aglsalm and the Grohmann refuge. The trail then leads to the Teplitzer refuge and on over boulders and rocky outcrops to a small glacier tongue that has to be crossed. At the foot of the Becher rock there is a secure path that leads up serpentines to the Becherhaus refuge.
After about 7 hours of walking and 1,725 metres of altitude difference later, you have reached your destination. Mountaineering experience, surefootedness and appropriate equipment are essential! The way back is via the ascent path.

Surrounded by meadows and forests and the magnificent panorama of the Stubai Alps with their glaciers and three-thousand-metre peaks, you can enjoy peace and quiet, the finest cuisine, and award-winning wellness at the SPA Minera and the Acqua Minera.