Hiking from hut to hut is a popular form of exploring the mountain world nowadays. This type of trekking requires an organized network of mountain huts, which are, with some exceptions, mainly found in Europe – the Alps, Pyrenees, and Tatras, among others.
Such networks enable multi-day exploration of the mountains without having to descend and restart from the valley the next day or carry a tent. From randomly connecting these huts came the idea of thru-hiking, which led to the creation of today’s well-known classic treks.
Mountain huts are mostly fully serviced, meaning they’re more than just basic shelters. While they differ in the amenities they offer, the hikers are normally greeted with a warm meal and a bed – usually in a shared dormitory. Albeit an exception, even a shower isn’t impossible to get at some lodges.
However, in locations like Iceland or Norway, some huts are self-catered, requiring hikers to prepare the meals and warm up the shelter. In these cases, the amenities are pretty basic.
Nonetheless, the comfort of these catered or self-catered huts is still significantly superior to camping. Despite that, these lodges are not hotels and shouldn’t be treated as such. Hikers who prioritize comfort should check out inn-to-inn hiking tours.
Be it a classic Tour du Mont Blanc circuit, Alta Via 1 route, or some other trek in Slovenia, Austria, or Switzerland, hiking and sleeping in the mountains for several days is a life-altering experience.
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