Becherhaus

South Tyrol's highest refuge is located on the southern side of the Stubai Alps at an altitude of 3,195 meters. The Becherhaus was built in 1894 by the German and Austrian Alpine Club, but subsequently received several conversions and renovations. The latest renovation work on the highest building site in South Tyrol was completed in the summer of 2021 after about a year of work. The original construction period lasted from March to August 1894, for which 25 tons of material were brought from Maiern to the summit. In the same year, the hut was opened under the name "Kaiserin-Elisabeth-Schutzhaus". The name was then changed a few years later. The chapel "Maria im Schnee" was also built and can still be visited today.

Despite its impressive location, the refuge offers mountaineers running water, hot meals in the comfortable Stube dining room and space for 100 people; the fire safety equipment, technical facilities and energy-generation system are also up to date. The Becherhaus is open from the end of June to mid-September. Well-known peaks such as Wilder Freiger (3418 m), Zuckerhütl (3505 m), Sonklarspitze (3463 m) and Botzer (3250 m) round off the Becherhaus in the area of eternal snow.

Starting from the head of the Ridnauntal valley in the direction of the Aglsbodenalm, you reach the Becherhaus via the Grohmann and Teplitzer refuges. After the Teplitzerhütte, past the picturesque Vogelhüttensee lake, continue on trail no. 9 over boulders and well-secured passages with wire ropes and step bars, crossing a moraine to below the Becherfelsen rock. The last part of the hike is via serpentines up to the Becherhaus. Mountaineering experience, surefootedness and appropriate equipment are essential! The way back is via the ascent path.

Tips
Mountaineering experience, surefootedness and appropriate equipment are essential!
Approach
Take the A22 to Sterzing, after the motorway exit take the 4th exit from the roundabout in the direction of Ridnauntal. Follow the road to Maiern (Landesmuseum Bergbau) for about 17 km.
Parking
Free parking at the mining museum in Maiern, Ridnauntal.
Public transportation
By bus 312 (Sterzing/Vipiteno-Ridnauntal/Val Ridanna) from Sterzing to the bus stop "mining museum" in Maiern/Masseria.

Detailed timetable information at www.suedtirolmobil.info/en