Increasing the funds for the alpine infrastructure are a very gratifying signal, but not yet a final solution!

Naturfreunde Austria welcome the recent developments related to the petition “Emergency call from the Alps” from the VAVÖ (Alpine Association) to secure the alpine infrastructure as Important and gratifying signal. At the same time, they warn: The individual measures for the years 2026 and 2027 alone are not sufficient to keep huts and paths permanently.

“The current steps are important and correct, but they can only be the beginning of a comprehensive rescue package,” explains NF chairman Mag. Andreas Schieder. The requirement of 95 million euros for five years Remain indispensable: “Our 35,000 volunteers make an enormous contribution every day. They earn planable support – for their and our security on the mountain.”

As early as 2024, nature lovers were able to use their share of special funding for the alpine infrastructure 3 million euros, The urgently needed general renovation of the Bleckwandhütte in the Salzkammergut start – work is in full swing. But the list of upcoming renovations is long. Above all, sustainable water supply and waste water disposal on the huts is an important and expensive topic. At the same time, the maintenance of 8,000 km hiking trails as well as the new construction of the river hiking trail in Höllental (Lower Austria) as a leading project a central concern of nature lovers.

“With the additional cover promised for 2026/27, we can only implement some of the most urgent measures,” said Federal Managing Director Mag. Gunter Abraham“But without a clear commitment by the federal government, the future of many huts and paths remains uncertain.”

The nature lovers honor the previous efforts of the BMWET tourism department (Federal Ministry for Economic Affair, Energy and Tourism) and State Secretary Elisabeth Zehetner. At the same time, they appeal to all those responsible in politics and administration: A cross-school and party-related shoulder is necessary to ensure the long-term financing of the alpine infrastructure.