Mountain hut stays offer a chance to disconnect from the ordinary, reconnect with nature, and create lasting memories in the heart of rugged landscapes.
Specific rules govern life in the hut and arise from the requirements of the location. It is important to note that the huts are remote, and often have to bring supplies and fuel for generators by helicopter at enormous expense. It will all make sense if you think about the other guests and the likely reason they are there (hiking).
On your journey in the mountains, you can choose to sleep in a dormitory with more than one person and go for the private room option. Unfortunately, this option is not available in all huts.
It’s hard for the cabin to know if it will be under, at, or over capacity on any night. It’s all part of the mountain experience. Even in the private rooms, beds can be arranged in odd configurations to maximize the number of people staying, and conditions in other parts of the lodge can be very cramped.
For the best possible hut experience, I will briefly outline a few rules to follow:
What to pack: on all trips, bedding is required when staying at the cabin. This way, huts save on laundry. Sheds provide quilts, blankets, and pillows, so there is no need to take anything bulky to the cottage apart from sheets (by sheets, we mean “sleeping bag” or any other form of sheet you want).
There are no boots inside the cabin to save cleaning the floors. Socks are fine, and huts usually provide a few slippers; some hikers bring their socks.
There is no noise after a specific time, so hikers can sleep and wake up early. If your hut also accommodates climbers on the glacier trails, the early-to-morning rule is even more drastic.
Keep a tidy sleeping space to minimize disturbance to other guests and the early morning noise of plastic bags! It may be wise to take a flashlight if you sleep later than others or if you know where yours is.
Bags out is a rule you’ll encounter at some cottages, or at least bags left in the entrance, to keep the bedroom tidy and spacious. It’s a rule that’s harder to get used to after urban living, but in practice, bags can be safely left in many mountain places!
It is obligatory to be prepared with earplugs…
Wet wipes can make the transition between shower cabins… and cabins without!
It is customary to take half board at the cabins in some cabins. This means that accommodation, dinner and breakfast are included in one package, but not drinks or lunch. For dinner and breakfast, everyone eats the same or chooses from one or two options, basically a set menu. Quality and quantity vary from lodge to lodge, sometimes being quite simple. In other huts, it’s more common to choose dinner and breakfast dishes from the menu and pay accordingly.
Whether it’s challenging yourself with alpine sports or simply relishing the solitude, mountain hut stays offer a harmonious blend of adventure and relaxation, ensuring an enriching retreat in the heart of majestic peaks.
- Cosmin Mihoreanu