Pfälzerhütte – High Alpine Hut & Naafkopf Hiking Base

The Pfälzerhütte is a well-known alpine hut located high in the Liechtenstein Alps, close to the tri-border area between Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Austria. Set beneath the Naafkopf (2,571 m), it functions as a classic stage hut for alpine hiking and long-distance traverses, and is one of the most important huts in Liechtenstein’s mountain network. Its atmosphere is open, international, and strongly shaped by cross-border alpine travel.

• Hut Overview

  • Location: Liechtenstein Alps, near the Naafkopf

  • Altitude: 2,108 m

  • Type: Mountain hut (managed by the Liechtenstein Alpine Club; non-SAC)

  • Capacity: Approx. 50–60 sleeping places

  • Season:

    • Guarded: usually mid-June to late September

  • Management: Liechtenstein Alpine Club (Liechtensteiner Alpenverein)

• Access & Approaches

  Access is alpine hiking and well suited to experienced hikers.

  • Main approaches:

    • From Malbun (Liechtenstein)

    • From the Rätikon region (Switzerland/Austria)

  • Hiking time: ~3.5–5 hours

  • Elevation gain: ~900–1,200 m

  • Terrain: Alpine paths, grassy slopes, rocky sections

  • Difficulty: T3

  No glacier travel is required to reach the hut.

• Facilities & Comfort

  Comfort is solid and traditional.

  • Dormitories with mattresses and blankets

  • Half-board meals during guarded season

  • Drinking water available

  • Indoor toilets

  • Electricity and lighting

  The hut is designed for multi-day hikers rather than technical mountaineers.

• Food & Atmosphere

  Friendly, international, and route-oriented.

  • Hearty alpine cuisine

  • Frequented by hikers from three countries

  • Social evenings, especially on classic traverse routes

  Its location encourages encounters between different alpine cultures.

• Routes & Alpine Context

  The Pfälzerhütte is ideally placed for:

  • Ascents of the Naafkopf (2,571 m)

  • Alpine hiking in the Rätikon–Liechtenstein Alps

  • Multi-day traverses linking Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and Austria

  • Long-distance trekking routes across border regions

  It is not intended as a glacier or technical climbing base.

• When to Go

  • Best season: July to September

  • Conditions: Weather can change rapidly at altitude

  • Main risks: Fog, thunderstorms, early snow

• Who Is This Hut For

  • Experienced alpine hikers

  • Long-distance trekkers

  • Cross-border alpine route walkers

  • Visitors exploring the Liechtenstein Alps

Why This Hut Is Worth Visiting

At 2,108 m, the Pfälzerhütte is more than a simple overnight stop—it is a symbolic crossroads of the Alps. Its position near a three-country summit, combined with approachable yet serious alpine terrain, makes it a key hut for hikers who value movement, geography, and continuity of route over technical difficulty.