Miles from civilisation with spectacular surroundings, these remote mountain huts are the ultimate place to switch off and reconnect with nature. From a hiking refuge steps below the summit of Mont Blanc, to a miniature chalet deep inside Alaska's Denali National Park, mountain huts don't get much more swoon-worthy than this. Grab your hiking boots and let's step off the beaten path...
Nestled on the shores of Lago delle Portette in the heart of Maritime Alps Natural Park, Italy, StarsBOX is a holiday rental like no other. Positioned at an altitude of 7,835 feet (2,388m), the remote hut can only be accessed via a three-hour hike from Terme di Valdieri. The retreat offers a more conscious way of experiencing nature, thanks to its immersive design. Formed from mechanical panels, the walls and ceilings of the shelter open up fully, allowing for seamless stargazing before you snooze.
This ultra-remote mountain refuge can be found on a rocky plinth in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif. Sitting at an altitude of over 10,000 feet (3,051m), the steel-coated hut has become a meeting spot and place of rest for skiers and hikers exploring the slopes of the French Alps. Offering cosy beds and a well-stocked library for moments of tranquility, the Refuge des Grands Mulets is a bucket-list stay for savvy explorers.
Positioned in the dreamy Scottish Highlands, sandwiched between the Glens of Affric and Strathfarrar, Eagle Brae offers a wilderness retreat for those that like life's luxuries. Fully sustainable, the estate's 10 log cabins are all hand-crafted from Western Red Cedar, sourced from Canada, allowing them to seamlessly blend in with their surroundings. Enclosed by mountains, the isolated luxurious huts are off-grid but boast everything you could need for an unforgettable night away.
Positioned on a rocky cliff face in the midst of Mount Cook National Park, on New Zealand's South Island, Sefton Bivvy (as it's commonly known) is the oldest hut in the region, providing travellers with refuge since 1917. Situated 5,413 feet (1,650m) below the Footstool, a mountain of the Southern Alps, the tiny cabin boasts commanding views of the ice cliffs of Te Waewae Glacier. Designed to make climbing in the area easier and safer, this bivouac offers four bunk beds, restroom facilities and drinking water. It's also completely free to use.
The Sheldon Chalet can be found on the ridge of the Don Sheldon Amphitheatre on Denali National Park's awe-inspiring Ruth Glacier, Alaska. Sitting at an elevation of 6,000 feet (1,829m), this ultra-remote mountain hut can only be accessed via helicopter – unless you happen to be a very experienced climber, that is. The secluded chalet boasts five bedrooms, a sauna and a world-class chef. Available for exclusive hire, the retreat doesn't come cheap. In fact, you'll need $75,000 (around £59k) for a three-night stay for four people.
As cool as it is unique, Ufogel is by far one of the world's most stylish holiday homes. Situated on the cusp of Hohe Tauern National Park in East Tyrol, Austria, the custom-made cabin is perfect for year-round travel, thanks to its clever design and excellent insulation. The quirky hut sleeps five and comes kitted out with underfloor heating, cosy beds, a wood-burning stove and an observation nook, from which unobstructed views can be savoured.
Could you spend the night suspended 1,312 feet (400m) in the air? Skylodge Adventure Suites not only hang off the side of a mountain in Peru’s Sacred Valley, but each of the three pods is entirely transparent, allowing for heart-racing views of the surrounding landscape. Equipped with beds and kitchen facilities, the Skylodge is only accessible following a climb or hike, while intrepid travellers can take a zipline to the pod's front door.
Secluded in the heart of Swedish Lapland, overlooking the Lule River Valley and enclosed by mountains, forests and wild rivers, this suspended treehouse is a contemporary oasis nestled among the trees. Built in 2010, the Treehotel, with its collection of "treerooms" is situated up high in order to make the most of its incredible surroundings. Entirely cut off from the modern world, the remote retreat is perfect for two and comes equipped with a double bed and an outdoor rooftop terrace – the perfect spot for your morning coffee.
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This remote holiday rental can be found in the alpine valley of Zgornje Jezersko, Slovenia, and is enclosed by soaring mountain peaks, some of which reach over 8,202 feet (2,500m). Romantic and rustic, the cabin is suitable for five guests and offers every modern convenience you could hope for. Plus, with oversized windows that frame the stunning peaks beyond, secluded chalets don't get much better than this.
Looking to work with architecture that addressed nature and environmentalism in new and exciting ways, Tormod Amundsen and Elin Taranger of Biotape set about designing the ultimate bird hide in the middle of the Varanger peninsula. The result, the Kongsfjord Wind Shelter, was the first of now 12 bird watching huts that are dotted across this wild and remote coastal corner of Norway. Designed to work with the weather, the hut provides shelter to local explorers keen to witness the thousands of eiders and long-tailed ducks that make their way to the area’s fjord every year.
Designed as an escape from the daily grind, this remote lodging lies just a few minutes outside of the city of Valdez, Alaska, yet it couldn't feel any more isolated. Perched on the very edge of a mountain, some 3,640 feet (1,109m) high, the off-grid retreat can be accessed by foot (following a challenging hike) or via helicopter. Surrounded by ice sheets and towering peaks, the Glacier Lookout features beds and kitchen facilities, for the perfect mix of comfort and adventure.
Winter skiers and summer hikers venturing to Tyrol, Austria, will no doubt have heard of Johannishütte. Open from March to May and June to October, this remote mountain hut offers beds for up to 10 people, as well as a hot shower, central heating and a drying room – essential during the colder months. Those adventurous enough to make it to Johannishütte for the night can enjoy captivating alpine views, as well as a warm slice of apple strudel from the cabin's homely kitchen.
Those venturing to the peak of Foronon del Buinc in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region of northeastern Italy may stumble upon a tiny refuge, precariously perched on the summit of the mountain. Bivacco Luca Vuerich was named after an Italian climber who lost his life in an avalanche while hiking nearby and was built in 2012 to provide shelter for those in need. Equipped with eight beds and bathroom facilities, this haven also comes with native goats that roam freely on the mountainside.
If you find yourself on an adventure through the Julian Alps, Slovenia, then take the time to pay a visit to this adorable remote retreat. Known as Bivak II Na Jezerih, the mountain hut was built in 2016 and spans just 96.8 square feet (9sqm). Hiking cabins have occupied this remote region of Slovenia since 1936, but this modern addition was designed to make exploring even more accessible. Designed to withstand extreme winds and frosts, the cabin is available to any hikers in need of respite.
If you're looking for a private mountainside retreat from which to unwind and switch off from the hustle and bustle of daily life, then this off-the-grid cabin might just tick all the right boxes. Located in the heart of the Green Mountains in Vermont, USA, the cosy crib is powered by solar energy and offers a rustic outdoor kitchen, a shower cabin with a glass roof and a porch rocking chair for sitting back and soaking up your surroundings.
Enclosed by the Lofoten mountain range, The Arctic Hideaway sits on the edge of the sea on the wild island of Fleinvær, Norway. An area exposed to extreme weather all year round, the huts are elevated off the ground on stilts, protecting the environment and allowing for unparalleled views across the surrounding landscape. Designed for artists looking to escape and be inspired, this Scandinavian retreat is the ultimate place to go off-grid. The hideaway boasts four private sleeping cabins, sleeping eight or 10 as a group, and a communal sauna – bliss.
Positioned on a rocky pinnacle high in the mountains of Hammerfest in northern Norway, this unique hut was commissioned by the Norwegian Trekking Association to promote hiking in the region. Offering stunning views over the surrounding Arctic landscape, the compact cabin was designed to survive the challenges of the area's extreme climate. While you can't spend the night here, you can stop by to take the weight off. You may even get the chance to spot the Northern Lights while you're there...
Situated on the edge of Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, this picture-perfect cabin is surrounded by acres of pristine forest in the mountain village of Pemberton, near Whistler, Canada. Aptly named The Little Cabin, the remote retreat sleeps four and comes equipped with everything you could need for a blissful night away, including a bathtub, DVD library, record player and wood-burning stove. There's even an outdoor sauna, where you can while away the hours.
The Refuge du Goûter is the final stop before the summit of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in western Europe, and has been welcoming visitors since 1854 – although this new hut was constructed in 2013. Adventurous hikers can pause here for some much-needed rest, a hearty dinner and good night's sleep, all while enjoying the hut's 360° views. Perched on an outcrop with a 4,921-foot (1,500m) drop, this one-of-a-kind mountain retreat is a bucket-list essential for keen hikers.
The perfect base from which to explore Verbier and the Swiss Alps, Cabane Mont Fort is situated in the middle of the pistes in winter and hiking trails in summer, some 8,061 feet up (2,457m). Savvy skiers and clued-up hikers have been visiting the hut since 1925, taking respite and soaking up spectacular panoramas of Mont Blanc and the Grand Combin. With 15 rooms and space for 58 guests, the rural retreat is no 5-star hotel, but its scenery, seasonal restaurant and unbeatable position make Cabane Mont Fort well worth a visit.
Available to rent via Glamping Hub, this beautiful bolthole is almost too good to be true. Shrouded by lush and mountainous jungle near Punta Arenas on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, this luxurious holiday home is magical and romantic in equal parts. Designed for two, the contemporary cabin boasts a double bed, a private pool and trampoline, as well as a nest net where guests can relax above the canopy. What could be better than that?
Those seeking solitude without a huge amount of effort should look to this quiet, cosy and accessible option instead. Set on a stunning hillside in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in Creede, Colorado, this mountain yurt offers total privacy and seclusion – not to mention one of the most mesmerising backdrops imaginable. With beds for four guests, the remote yurt is perfect for anyone looking to go off-grid in the wilderness. With no running water, internet or phone service, this is the ultimate place to disconnect.
If luxury is more your speed, then VIVOOD Landscape Hotel in Alicante, Spain, might be more to your liking. This wellness retreat is home to dozens of secluded glass huts, with unobstructed views across the Guadalest valley. Each mini villa comes equipped with a double bed and large panoramic window. Some even have an outdoor soaking tub, where mountain views can be savoured while you bathe. The hotel also has a lovely spa and a high-end restaurant serving local, seasonal cuisine.
Perched on the edge of Hvalfjörður, a spectacular fjord in southern Iceland, the Panorama Glass Lodge is the epitome of cosy. Offering just 248 square feet (23sqm) of inside space, the rural retreat is surrounded by the peaks and troughs of the dramatic landscape and features walls of glass, so guests feel fully immersed in it. From stargazing to watching the Northern Lights, this holiday hut is the best place to witness marvels of Mother Nature without having to step outside. There's even an alfresco hot tub for romantic nights spent under the dark sky.
Another incredible mountain refuge that seems too precarious to be true is the Monte Rosa Hut in Zermatt, Switzerland. This futuristic retreat can be found 9,459 feet (2,883m) above sea level, at the foot of the Monte Rosa massif. A popular destination for hikers and mountaineers since 2009, the ultra-modern cabin is entirely self-sufficient and comes equipped with 120 beds and all the comforts outdoor adventurers could need after a long day on the slopes.
Secluded on the edge of Lagodekhi National Park on the southern slopes of Georgia's Caucasus mountains, the Duende Hotel invites its guests to connect with the forest and switch off from the modern world. The boutique glamping estate has four deluxe treehouse cottages, kitted out with all the home comforts, a fire pit, cold plunge pool and hot tub. Surrounded by ancient sub-tropical forest, the elevated huts place you in touching distance of Lagodekhi's five mountain peaks, roaring rivers and spectacular waterfalls.
If you're drawn to the unspoiled wilderness of Georgia, then Woodhide is another wonderfully remote hideaway. Towards the Black Sea coast, the hut is located in Machakhela National Park, in the valley of Machakhlistskali, a land of slopes, gorges, forests, rivers and waterfalls. Designed for two, this tiny mountain hut is simple and stripped-back, but opens up to provide unobstructed views across the surrounding landscape.
Situated 6,063 feet (1,848m) above sea level, at the foot of Lalidererwände in Karwendel Nature Park, Falkenhütte is surrounded by a lush alpine meadow. The cosy and rustic hut has been offering walkers and mountain bikers refuge since 1924 and is now a listed building. The retreat is equipped with 18 beds and is the perfect base from which to explore the hiking and climbing routes of the Tyrol region.
If you find yourself in need of shelter when exploring the mountains of Québec, look no further than this contemporary glamping hut, perched on the slopes of Mont Tourbillon. Boasting 360° views, as well as complete and utter seclusion, the luxurious custom-built cabin has two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and lounge. Spend your days exploring the area's walking routes and while away your evenings snuggled up around the wood-burning stove.
Alpine Shelter Skuta is undeniably one of the world's most beautiful mountain huts. Constructed in 2015, just below the summit of Mount Skuta in Slovenia's Kamnik-Savinja Alps, the shelter replaced a 50-year-old bivouac that had stood on the site for 120 years. Designed by OFIS Arhiteki and students from Harvard Graduate School of Design, the new shelter can survive extreme climatic conditions and offers refuge for anyone exploring this wild and remote corner of northern Slovenia. Oh, and did we mention the view?
Now take a look at the world's most remote inhabited islands