Embark on a unforgettable overnight adventure to Solsteinhaus, a mountain refuge known for it’s delicious local cuisine and breath-taking alpine scenery. This hike lets you experience the majestic Austrian Alps, where stunning vistas, delicious food and a cosy mountain hut await.
Experience an overnight adventure in a gorgeous alpine hut. The hike to Solsteinhaus begins just twenty minutes by train from Innsbruck, Austria. This guide tells you everything you need to know to get out of the city and into the mountains. It is perfect trip for those who are short on time while looking to experience sleeping among the mountains. Stay overnight, enjoy delicious traditional food and wake up to incredible mountain vistas.
Overnight Adventures
This post is part of a series called overnight adventures. Overnight adventures are short adventures designed to get explorers out into the world when they’re short on time. Each overnight adventure is crafted so that you can start in a larger city, use public transport and have a memorable experience all within just one night!
Starting point: Innsbruck
Type: Hiking
Accommodation: Solsteinhaus – Be sure to book in advance.
Budget: 50-100 euros per person for this overnight adventure. This depends on your room type and what you eat.
It’s also possible to do this hike as a day trip but I would recommend staying overnight if possible. I found that the price for an overnight stay was similar to the budget options available in Innsbruck. So why not go? Plus there’s something so special about sleeping in the mountains.
Looking for more overnight adventures in the Austrian Alps? Consider sleeping among mountains at Eurtuter Hütte
Getting to the Hike
From Innsbruck you just need to get a train. The journey takes just over 20 minutes. Detailed directions here.
Take the train from Innsbruck Main Station (HBF) to Hochzirl station – approximately 20 minutes. The hike starts directly at Hochzirl station.
Buy tickets using the OBB website/app or from the ticket station in Innsbruck HBF.
The Hike Details
- Distance: 7 kilometres one way.
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Elevation Gain: 900 meters.
- Difficulty Level: moderate, it’s a lot of uphilll so decent fitness is recommended.
Note: Be sure to check the weather before heading off, the mountains can be unpredictable and the weather can rapidly change.
Where to Start the Hike
The hike begins at Hochzirl station, a 20 minute train ride from Innsbruck.
What to Pack
- Sturdy Shoes: Wear comfortable shoes with good traction.
- Layer Up: Bring layers to adapt to changing weather conditions.
- Hydration: Carry plenty of water to stay hydrated.
- Snacks: Pack energizing snacks to keep you going.
- Overnight Gear: If you plan to stay overnight in the hut, ensure you have the necessary gear including sleeping bags, toiletries, and extra layers for warmth.
Note: You’ll need a sleeping bag, inner sheet or some kind of cover while sleeping in the huts. They do provide a blanket and a pillow but that’s it. I just carry a lightweight inner sheet which is more than adequate. If you don’t have one, Decathlon sells cheap sleeping bag liners.
Bonus Travel Tip – Luggage Storage
If you’re on a larger journey and don’t want to carry all your belongings, take advantage of the luggage lockers available at Innsbruck HBF. Just carry up a smaller backpack with what you’ll need for an overnight stay at Solsteinhaus.
Hiking to Solsteinhaus
The first thing you need to know about this hike is to be prepared for A LOT of up-hill (total 900m elevation gain). The second thing to know is that the hike is worth it for the restaurant at Solsteinhaus, which is known for it’s delicious food.
The hike begins at Hochzirl Station and ascends through lush forests before emerging into the open, surrounded by towering peaks. I completed this walk with my photographer friend Justin, who taught me a lot about photography while traveling together.
Starting the Walk
Start the walk by heading more or less straight up the hill from the station. The hike at this point follows a gravel road. It’s seriously steep but trust me, it does get (a little) easier! I had a lot of breaks and did a lot of sweating during this time.
With only 7km of hiking total, I encourage you to take the time and relax whenever needed, enjoy the walk.
Emerging into the open
Once I left the treeline there was some amazing spots for admiring the views. The views really open up to the valley below and I used the time to reflect on just how much elevation I’d already gained. Not far after leaving the treeline the trail became a smaller single track, leaving the road behind.
As I continued uphill there were several friendly goats and an old goat shrine built into an tree stump, make sure to keep an eye out for it!
The final push to Solsteinhaus
The trail continued uphill following a narrower single track. I could see Solsteinhaus in the distance perched looking over the valley. Arriving at Solsteinhaus really felt like a major achievement after so much uphill to get there. The first thing I did was to sit on the balcony, take in the views and enjoy a delicious lunch.
About Solsteinhaus
Solsteinhaus is perched at 1805m and overlooks the valley below. As with many alpine huts it has an excellent balcony to sit and take in panoramic views. I was here on a weekend and there was quite a lot of other hikers around including people taking a day trip.
Where to Eat
There’s only one place to eat, the hut itself, which provides excellent Tyrolean dining options. The kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The food was SO good (some of the best I’ve had in any hut) and the portions more than adequate for a day spent hiking around the mountains. I can personally recommend the Knödel if you’re looking to try a traditional meal.
- Lunch/dinner: €10-25 per meal.
- Buffet Breakfast: €20 (Can also buy tea/coffee)
Staying Overnight in Solsteinhaus
Spend the night at Solsteinhaus for an authentic alpine experience, just be sure to book online beforehand. I stayed in the dorm room which was a simple room filled with bunk beds. There was a shared bathroom with toilets and showers. I would have stayed in the cheaper mattress camp but didn’t book far enough in advance!
One of the benefits of staying overnight is the opportunity to explore the surrounding area without a heavy pack on. Walking without a large bag almost feels like flying after carrying your bag up the hill to get to the hut. There’s a lot of nice places around for you to explore just a short walk from the hut.
Another excellent benefit is getting to watch the sunset and the opportunity for some excellent star gazing. If this isn’t enough to convince you, the crisp mountain air is as the sun rises is something that needs to be experienced to know just how special it is.
Rooms and prices (as of early 2024):
If you’re planning on staying overnight at Solsteinhaus, there are three room options:
- Double Room (Doppelzimmer)
- Dorm room (Zimmerlarger)
- Mattress Camp (Larger)
When you arrive you’ll also need pick between three meal options:
- Only room – Order any meals from the menu and pay accordingly.
- Half Board – Includes four course dinner including a salad buffet + buffet breakfast.
- Breakfast – Buffet breakfast (dinner will involve picking off the menu).
| Room Type | Only Room | Half Board | Night + Breakfast | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult* | Double Room | € 52,00 | € 97,50 | € 71,50 |
| Dorm Room | € 40,50 | € 86,00 | € 60,00 | |
| Mattress Camp | € 32,00 | € 77,50 | € 51,50 |
*Alpine club members can get a almost 50% discount. For those interested in joining you can find more information here.
Children get various discounts depending on how old they are.
Money Saving Tips
- If you want to save some money while staying overnight at Solsteinhaus, consider bringing your own food. You’ll have to carry the food uphill when you hike but can save a lot of money.
- If you’re planning on staying in multiple alpine huts, consider becoming an alpine club member. More information here.
Exploring Around Solsteinhaus
The hut is a popular base for both summer and winter activities. There’s an abundance of things to do in the area.
After a delicious lunch, if you’re feeling energetic, spend the afternoon exploring the epic surrounds. I’d recommend checking out Solsteinhaus’s website which provides a list of different hikes from the hut as well as their duration and difficulty. I headed up the valley to a nearby peak for more views of the area.
Leaving Solsteinhaus
This overnight adventure at Solsteinhaus concludes by hiking back down to Hochzirl Station the next day. You can then get the train back to Innsbruck. It’s much easier going downhill (but hard on the knees) and takes approximately 2 hours to get back to the station.
Tip: Check the train schedule in advance as on the weekend it comes less frequently and you might be waiting at the station for a while.
If you want to extend this adventure, It’s possible to combine this hut with a larger walk to one of the nearby huts in the area:
- Nördlinger Hut
- New Magdeburger Hut
- Mountain hotel Seegrube
- Pfeishütte
- Bettel throw hut
- Halleranger house
- Hallerangeralm
- Höttingeralm
Conclusion – Solsteinhaus Overnight Adventure
A overnight trip to Solsteinhaus is an excellent way to experience staying in an alpine hut in the Austrian Alps. It’s a perfect place for exploring without committing to a larger walk. Getting to the start of the hike is easily accessible with public transport from Innsbruck, the hike is relatively short and the hut offer some absolutely stunning mountain vistas. Plus the food at Solsteinhaus is some of the best I’ve had in any hut! If you’re looking for an overnight adventure from Innsburck, while staying in an alpine hut offering traditional foods, Solsteinhaus should be right up there on your list.
Whats your favourite overnight mountain adventure? Let me know in the comments below!
Happy Hiking!
Kieren