Mountain Hut Adventures for the Whole Family at Boscheben!
Have you always dreamed of a hut overnight stay with kids in the Alps? Then this is the tip for you – because at Alm Boscheben in Tyrol, you can turn that dream into reality! Down-to-earth and full of charm, this place holds a special kind of magic for kids.
The hut adventure begins at the valley station of the Patscherkofel cable car. You can leave your car here overnight without worry. The gondola takes you up the first 1,900 meters of elevation.
As soon as you step out, the beautiful Zirbenweg trail begins – part of Tyrol’s “pleasure hiking” routes and known for its breathtaking views over the Inn Valley. Along the way, you’ll pass ancient stone pines (some around 700 years old!) and Europe’s largest continuous stone pine forest.
After about 2.5 km, you’ll reach Alm Boscheben. With kids, that might take a little over an hour – and that’s exactly what we loved about it: reaching your overnight stay stress-free and without sore backs.
At Boscheben, you’re warmly welcomed by Clara, the hut host, and her two dogs, Merle and Flocki. You immediately sense: this is someone living her mountain dream. Clara took over the hut five years ago and runs it with passion. Equipped with hut sleeping bags for the dormitory (which sleeps up to 14 people) and a towel for a refreshing morning wash, you’re all set for a night in the mountains. There’s no shower, and water is used sparingly – but honestly, that adds to the charm. Our initial worries about sharing one room with four families? Totally unnecessary.
In the evening, Clara serves a delicious three-course dinner. You can let her know about food preferences or allergies in advance. But the evening doesn’t end there – in fact, that’s when the magic really begins. Just outside the hut, wrapped in cozy blankets, you can watch the sun set behind the mountains. In the garden, there’s a campfire waiting, and of course, we couldn’t resist roasting marshmallows. So good!
By now, night has fallen and the stars twinkle brightly above. Up here, you feel a little closer to the sky – and the stars shine in a way you rarely get to see. Just thinking about it still gives us goosebumps. If the kids still have energy, Clara will take you on a short stargazing walk, pointing out constellations and sharing stories – a true adventure!
After such an exciting evening, it’s no wonder the kids are more than ready to snuggle up in their cozy sleeping spots.
The next morning, after a peaceful sleep, there’s a hearty breakfast for everyone. Then you can either stroll back to the gondola at your own pace or take on the Viggarspitze summit. It takes about 1–2 hours and rewards you with stunning views over the Inn Valley. But a word of caution – this hike is not suitable for little kids.
