Reference
Alpine club & hut memberships
GHO is independent of these organizations. This is a guide to help members understand which alpine club membership is most useful for their style of hiking.
Austria
Österreichischer Alpenverein (ÖAV)
Major participant in the reciprocal agreement. Their UK branch (AACUK) includes rescue insurance and is popular for English speakers.
Official siteAustria
Österreichischer Alpenklub (ÖAK)
Alternative Austrian alpine club. Membership includes price reductions at national and international alpine huts under reciprocal agreements.
Official siteGermany
Deutscher Alpenverein (DAV)
The largest alpine club in the world. Membership provides significant discounts on DAV huts and reciprocal rights across the Alps.
Official siteFrance
FFCAM (Club Alpin Français)
Operates the CAF huts. Crucial for the Tour du Mont Blanc, GR10, and GR20. Part of the European reciprocal agreement.
Official siteItaly
Club Alpino Italiano (CAI)
Manages the vast majority of rifugios in the Dolomites and Italian Alps. Part of the European reciprocal agreement.
Official siteSwitzerland
Schweizer Alpen-Club (SAC)
Maintains Swiss alpine huts. Membership offers discounted rates locally and at partner Alpine clubs across Europe.
Official siteSpain
Federación Española de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada (FEDME)
Governing body for Spanish mountain sports. Membership provides discounts at high-altitude refugios like those on the GR11.
Official siteSlovenia
Planinska zveza Slovenije (PZS)
The Alpine Association of Slovenia. Essential for discounts in Triglav National Park and along the Juliana Trail.
Official siteSweden
Svenska Turistföreningen (STF)
Required for discounts at mountain stations and wilderness huts along the Kungsleden.
Official siteNorway
Den Norske Turistforening (DNT)
Crucial membership; provides lodging discounts and grants access to the physical DNT key needed to unlock unstaffed cabins.
Official siteFinland
Suomen Latu (Outdoor Association of Finland)
Provides discounts at fell centers, wilderness lodges, and partner hostels near Finnish wilderness routes.
Official siteIceland
Ferðafélag Íslands (FÍ)
Owns and operates huts along the Laugavegur trail; membership provides steep lodging discounts.
Official siteGreece
Hellenic Federation of Mountaineering & Climbing (EOOA)
Governs Greek mountaineering. Membership offers discounts at high-altitude mountain refuges (e.g., on Mount Olympus).
Official sitePoland
Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze (PTTK)
Manages a massive network of mountain huts and hostels in Poland with standard member discounts.
Official siteCroatia
Hrvatski planinarski savez (HPS)
The Croatian Mountaineering Association. Provides member discounts at domestic mountain huts and shelters.
Official siteBelgium
Club Alpin Belge (CAB)
Belgian alpine federation. Full membership includes reductions in refuges of other alpine clubs under reciprocal agreements.
Official siteSlovakia
Klub slovenských turistov (KST)
The Slovak Tourist Club. Provides discounts at mountain chalets (chaty) primarily in the Tatra mountains.
Official siteCzech Republic
Klub českých turistů (KČT)
Historic Czech hiking club. Operates a network of tourist huts and offers member benefits tied to its hiking infrastructure.
Official siteLiechtenstein
Liechtensteiner Alpenverein (LAV)
Operates alpine huts; members receive reciprocal discounted overnight stays in European alpine-club huts.
Official siteSpain / Portugal
Oficina de Acogida al Peregrino
Manages the Credencial (Pilgrim's Passport), strictly required to stay in subsidized public albergues on Camino routes.
Official siteEngland & Wales
Youth Hostels Association (YHA)
Offers member discounts at a massive network of hostels along trails like the Pennine Way and Coast to Coast.
Official siteEngland & Wales
British Mountaineering Council (BMC)
Provides reciprocal rights to European Alpine huts plus discounts at UK outdoor retailers. Crucial for Brits hiking the Alps.
Official siteScotland
Hostelling Scotland
Essential for Scottish routes like the West Highland Way. Members get discounts at all affiliated Scottish hostels.
Official siteScotland
Mountaineering Scotland
Offers European Alpine reciprocal rights and discounts on some Scottish independent hostels and bunkhouses.
Official siteIreland
An Óige (Irish Youth Hostel Association)
Offers discounts at hostels across Ireland, including those near the Wicklow Way. Part of Hostelling International.
Official siteIreland
Mountaineering Ireland
The governing body for climbing/walking in Ireland. Membership provides reciprocal rights in the European Alps.
Official siteUK / International
Austrian Alpine Club UK (AACUK)
English-speaking UK section of the Austrian Alpine Club. Includes alpine-hut discounts and rescue cover. A common choice for English speakers.
Official siteNetherlands
Nederlandse Klim- en Bergsport Vereniging (NKBV)
Very relevant for Dutch hikers. Membership advertises up to 50% off in 1,200+ alpine huts via reciprocal agreements.
Official siteUSA
Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)
Essential for the US Northeast. Offers significant discounts on their extensive network of White Mountain huts and lodges.
Official siteUSA
American Alpine Club (AAC)
Offers lodging discounts at AAC-owned properties and reciprocal rights at European Alpine huts.
Official siteCanada
Alpine Club of Canada (ACC)
Operates the largest network of backcountry huts in North America. Members get heavily discounted nightly rates.
Official siteNew Zealand
New Zealand Alpine Club (NZAC)
NZAC members get specific discounts on club huts and broader Department of Conservation (DOC) huts.
Official siteNew Zealand
Department of Conservation (DOC)
Not a club, but a pass. A Backcountry Hut Pass allows unlimited prepaid stays in most standard public huts.
Official siteGlobal / Multiple
Hostelling International (HI)
A home-country HI membership grants minimum 10% discounts at affiliated youth hostels globally.
Official site
