Waldhäuslalm

What makes the Styrian “hut of the year” so special

Idyll in Rohrmoos-Untertal: the Waldhäuslalm

(Bild: Sigrid Hutegger)

Large playground, a pond where you can fish for a char and then have it fried: The Waldhäuslalm in Schladming was recently named Styrian "Hut of the Year" by Gault&Millau. Two well-known huts in Styria are also looking for new tenants.

186 huts and taverns entered the race, one of which took first place: the Waldhäuslalm in Schladming. The two sisters Sigrid Hutegger and Ilse Zechmann cook, serve and entertain guests from far and wide as well as families from the region. The Waldhäuslalm is more than "just" a hut: "We have a large children's playground, sows, rabbits, ponies and chickens. The children can stroke and look at them. They have plenty of space to play and run around, there is also a soccer pitch and a Kneipp facility," says Sigrid Hutegger.

You can fish in front of the hut

(Bild: Photo Walli)

Very special: the fishing pond right next to the hut, where anglers can cast their hooks and pedal boaters can take a relaxing trip. Hutegger's father created it after he took over the hut in 1988. The Waldhäuslalm is a family business, and the younger generation is already lending a hand. "The fish, especially char, that you catch in the pond can then be brought to us in the hut for smoking and barbecuing."

Of course, they are also a big hit in the kitchen. "We make a lot of things ourselves and buy locally. The fish come from our own pond, the lamb from my brother-in-law. We hardly ever use tinned food." Other favorites from Hutegger's kitchen: "Spinach dumplings and Styrian cheese dumplings."

Ilse Zechmann, Michael Feiertag (Styria Tourism) and Sigrid Hutegger

(Bild: STG Elisabeth Perl)

There is great joy about the award in the Gault&Millau hut guide. "There are so many good huts in it. That's why it's really an honor for us," says Hutegger. If you want to see for yourself, you can hike around ten kilometers along the "Wild Waters" theme trail or drive to the Waldhäuslalm. The summer season starts on May 8th.

Famous huts need new tenants
Those who prefer to stand behind the bar themselves currently have the chance to do so on the Dachstein and Schöckl. The Alpine Association is looking for new tenants for the Stubenberghaus, an institution on Graz's local mountain, from July 2024. They are looking for restaurateurs who want to run 13 rooms, a seminar room and three dining rooms and terraces at 1445 meters. There is direct access via a toll road.

One of the highest huts in the Dachstein massif, the Seethalerhütte, was only newly built in 2019. They are looking for new tenants from June 2024. There are 22 beds, a restaurant with 45 seats and a terrace for up to 100 guests.