Emergency call from the Alps: Urgent appeal to save Alpine refuges and hiking trails

With this urgent appeal, the Federation of Austrian Alpine Associations, together with its three largest member associations, the Austrian Alpine Association [Österreichischer Alpen Verein], Naturefriends Austria [Naturfreunde Österreich] and the Austrian Tourist Club [Österreichischer Tourismus Verband], is addressing the public and the federal government: 272 alpine refuges and 50,000 kilometres of hiking trails are in acute distress. They are in danger of literally crumbling away due to financial hardship and increasing extreme weather events as a result of the climate crisis.

The Alpine associations are making an emergency call: Accompanied by an information campaign and a petition to mobilise their more than 906,000 members, they are approaching the government with their concerns. The petition can be found HERE.

On average, three to four huts per year can no longer be run by the alpine clubs. Individual trails are also closed or abandoned. Gerald Dunkel-Schwarzenberger, President of the Association of Alpine Clubs, is concerned: "Alpine huts and trails not only fulfil a protective function, they are a hallmark of Austria's identity and play an important role in regional value creation. If they were to be lost as a cultural, sporting and educational space, this would not only be a disaster for all those seeking recreation in the mountains, but also for tourism - not to mention the important function of huts and trails in guiding visitors to the mountains." In view of this precarious situation, the Alpine associations agree: only with the help of a financial rescue package totalling 95 million euros can urgent renovations be implemented and the hiking trails continue to be made available to the general public on a voluntary basis.

More difficult conditions due to the climate crisis

The consequences of the climate crisis are being felt particularly strongly in the mountains. Alpine associations are concerned about the thawing of permafrost, water shortages, an increasing number of severe extreme weather events, landslides and rockfalls. Günter Abraham, Managing Director of Naturefriends Austria, describes the situation in impressive terms: "In the coming decades, climate change will present us with major challenges. In addition to social problems such as hunger or poverty, we are confronted with the destructive effects on nature and the environment in our mountains. The preservation of our alpine huts and trails will require all of our passion and energy. Without the extraordinary efforts of the many volunteers, this endeavour would simply not be possible. It is very important to me that the federal government expresses its respect and gratitude for what has been achieved through a financial contribution and thus helps to preserve this Austrian cultural asset." Economy, sustainability, energy efficiency and climate friendliness are very important in alpine hut operations, especially due to the exposed location - not only in terms of drinking water and energy supply, but also in the purification of waste water and waste avoidance. In addition, regional and seasonal products are on the culinary menu. The alpine huts play a pioneering role in resource-conserving management.

A common sign for the rescue of alpine huts and hiking trails

Michael Platzer, Managing Director of the Austrian Tourist Club, finds clear words in view of the situation: "With 300,000 euros in funding for the Tourist Club, we as the Austrian Tourist Club cannot realise the replacement construction of a refuge when this usually costs 3 to 4 million euros. If the refuge is abandoned, the trails will no longer be used and this inevitably raises the question of how Austria's economy will survive without summer tourism." The Alpine associations are urging the public to support their petition and thus send out a joint signal in favour of saving huts and trails.

The petition can be signed HERE online.

If you want to watch the press conference from 29.05.24 again, you can do so here.