Angerer Alm: The Austrian Alpine Hut Experience

What's an Alpine hut?

Alpine huts are also known as alpine lodges or simply as Alms or Alps in German.

Generally speaking, in Austria they call farming huts with the grazing pastures Alms, and tourist huts are also known as Alms. The term is used interchangeably.

The tourist Alps are open during two major seasons: in summer to host hikers, and in winter, you will see them turning into restaurants catering to skiers, and some are Après ski huts.

You will find small and larger alpine huts scattered around the mountains at several altitude levels.

A few serve only food, and others also offer rooms and board.

The Angerer Alm has it all, and here is why we recommend you make a stop there.

Why we loved the Angerer Alm

Tucked away in the Kitzbühel alps lies the over 250-year-old Angerer Alm.

What was once a simple inn was turned into a precious alpine hideout by Annemarie Foidl.

She was honored as the youngest Austrian innkeeper in 1989 when she took over the alpine hut at just 19 years of age.

Since then, the Angerer Alm has blossomed into an authentic place, and it gained further in value when Annemarie's daughter and her husband, a talented chef, joined forces in making the Angerer Alm a special place.

The typical Tyrolean mountain flair is ever so present, and all walls, furniture pieces, and decorations are originals.

Most establishments in the Austrian Alps are built with wood, which is artificially prepared to appear aged. The Angerer Alm, on the other hand, is genuine and doesn't need to pretend play.

The Alm is situated near popular hiking and skiing trails, and visitors tend to take a rest there before heading back down to the town of St. Johann in Tirol.

One of the greatest wine treasures in the Alps is hidden at the heart of the Angerer Alm. You have to know, Annemarie has been the president of the Austrian sommelier union since 2008.

In fact, Annemarie took us on a tour of her wine cellars, and we were absolutely gobsmacked by her outstanding wine collection.

Besides amazing local food delicacies fun-filled evenings and nights, they also offer 13 quaint rooms and picturesque panoramic views.

Learn more about Austrian Wine. We interviewed Annemarie to demystify and to better explain the various Austrian wine terms.

Rooms

Imagine you had an opportunity to just shut off from the world while still spending a comfortable time in the Austrian alps.

The rooms, combined with the experience at the Angerer Alm, can give you exactly all that and more.

Located on the first floor of the alpine hut, you can book a room for 3 nights with access to a shared bathroom for about EUR 560 or USD 600.

They take only direct bookings, but you can take a look at the offerings on booking.com.

I think the pictures speak for themselves.

A main advantage of staying at the Angerer Alm is the experience in itself. Bonfires in the summer, a lovely host, and unparalleled views, and you will have an unforgettable memory to take home.

Getting there

The Angerer Alm is located in St. Johann, the Tyrol region in Austria.

When we were invited by Annemarie to visit her on her Alm on a beautiful October morning, we didn't realize how far up the establishment was located.

A small, winding, gravel road leads to the Angerer Alm, but a barrier on the way blocks access.

Only invited guests, so basically you if you have booked a room there, get to drive up to the Alm in the summer months.

The drive from St. Johann in Tirol up to the hut takes about 30 minutes, and you have to call the reception at the barrier to open up the way for your vehicle.

In winter, you will have to take the cable car up to get to the Angerer Alm. It's the only way to access the area when the mountain turns into a winter wonderland.

You are free to take the Harschbichl cable car from St. Johann in Tirol up to the last station, and from there it's just a 5-minute walk down to the Angerer Alm or a quick ski down in winter.

The alpine hut is a 2 ½ drive or train ride away from the Munich airport. The Salzburg airport and the Innsbruck airport are about 1 hour away from the area.

More Info

Day Trip Ideas

• Grossglockner and Hohe Tauern National Park
• Kitzbühel Town
• Rattenberg Town
• Berchtesgaden National Park