Hiking holiday in Zillertal

High dose adrenaline awaits visitors at the unique Schlegeis Reservoir during their hiking holiday in Zillertal. We do however backpedal into more gentle realms for a while. For many regular guests Schlegeis Reservoir is the starting point for their favourite hike. The tour to Olpererhütte is not too difficult and provides what is probably one of the loveliest panoramas around. Direct access to Olpererhütte at 2389 metres altitude above the daily grind proceeds from Schlegeis Reservoir along Riepenbach on Route No. 502. It takes a good one and a half hours to tackle the 600 metres ascent. In so doing, wonderful views to giant glaciers in Zillertal’s main ridge, including the Großer Möseler, Schwarzenstein, Hochfeiler and the Hochferner open up, and to the Schlegeis Reservoir itself too of course. And it is right here, just after Olpererhütte, that there is one of these breath-takingly lovely Insta spots. 

Zillertal’s Steinbock March has been around since 1968. It is one of the most popular treks in the entire Alpine area, particularly due to its incomparably lovely route. Every year it attracts keen mountain sports enthusiasts to Zillertal’s mountains, to the mountaineering village of Ginzling to be precise, which becomes a metropolis of mountain sports, walking and running during the Steinbock March. The 30 kilometre route provides the perfect combination of sporty challenge and impressive setting.

Start of the tour is the mountain station for the Sommerbergalm on the Hintertux Glacier at 2100 metres. From there a well designed forest trail starts, steep in parts up to Tuxerjoch Haus at 2316 metres. The route then continues on a slightly exposed, yet well-secured path up to the Frauenwand at 2541 metres. After a short rest, taking in the views to the Hintertux Glacier, Tuxertal and into Schmirntal, you head back to Tuxerjoch Haus. As a tip, we recommend descending to Hintertux via Weitental and the impressive Schleier waterfall, down to the Bichlalm.

The hike to Edelhütte starts at the mountain station for the Ahornbahn. During a hiking holiday in Zillertal you hike on a slightly ascending path above the Filzenalm at the foot of the Filzenkogel, to mountain pasture at Bräualm, from there a somewhat steeper path takes you to your destination at 2238 metres, the Edelhütte. After a refreshment stop in the Alpine Mountaineering Club Hut you hike back on the same path to the Ahornbahn mountain station, which takes you in comfort back into the valley. Anyone who has not yet had enough has the option to hike to Mayrhofen. Via Gasthaus Alpenrose it is around two hours on a forest trail back to the town.

Start of the tour is the tennis court in Finkenberg, approx. five minutes drive from STOCK resort, where are a few free parking spaces available. Practically the entire ascent proceeds via the Hermann Hecht Weg and the forested Gamsberg, thereby enjoying the shade provided by the trees. It is only at the lodge, which is slightly above the forest boundary, that you come to open terrain. At the same time your gaze is drawn to the numerous mountain summits that surround Gamshütte. On the way at ‘Helenenaussicht’, a good half-way up the climb, there is a lovely view down into the valley. The final 300 metres ascent of the route proceed through Ebenschlag natural forest reserve. There has been no human intervention here for over 20 years. This gives hikers the impression of being in a fairytale woodland. Having reached Gamshütte, a wonderful view to Floitental, Tristner, Rastkogel and to Mayrhofen awaits.

In the middle of Finkenberg there is an original natural oasis which has an abundance of flora: the Glocke, a 33 hectare conservation area which you can hike to via the Glocke educational nature trail. Start is in Finkenberg at the cemetery. Follow path no. 32 and 32b along the ‘Schutzgebiet Glocke’ circular hike. Tip: The myth-enshrouded Teufelsbrücke is worth a visit, a rare historic timber construction dating from 1876, which spans the gorge of the thundering Tuxbach. Legend has it that the devil built the bridge for the local people, however for doing this, he would then claim the soul of the first creature to cross the bridge. A clever farmer outwitted him by having a billy-goat be the first creature to cross Teufelsbrücke.

Starting point for the hike is the car park at the entrance to the town of Ginzling. From there proceed on the asphalt road up to Tristenbachalm (1200 metres). It is also possible for you to drive your own car up to this point (limited parking available!). Stay on route number 521, continuing to Steinbockhütte (1380 metres), passing Baumgartenalm. Now continue left, heading steeply uphill across moraine slopes and grassy ridges. Finally there are lots of twists and turns on the route up to the lodge (2227 metres).

After you have enjoyed the views to Zillergrund Reservoir, take the path to Little Tibet. The reservoir is surrounded by impressive mountains with steep cliffs and a path which proceeds around the turquoise water – giving an impression of Tibet. There are also little stones in the meadow which provide an opportunity to rest every hundred metres – but there are not just these, there are little wooden benches too which have signs on them with a saying that encourages you to keep going. As you get closer to the ‘city’, the evocation of the landscape of Tibet becomes more intense. You can spot the Tibetan flags from a distance. Red, blue and yellow materials waft in the breeze, little wooden huts are at the foot of the mountains and wooden letters of the alphabet are a reminder of where you are. After passing a water wheel and some prayer wheels you then come to the somewhat inconspicuous Hohenaualm. The wooden Alpine lodge is decorated with historic paintings, antlers and milk churns. And of course you can’t miss the Tibetan flags here either. While enjoying a snack and a ‘Radler’ you can take in the view and the tranquil setting, gazing at the horses and cows grazing, before heading off on your return journey.