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TOURS AND ROUTES IN THE PITZTAL VALLEY
TOURS AND ROUTES IN THE PITZTAL VALLEY
Discover our varied tours and routes
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Gletschersteig (Glacier trail)
Start
Bergstation Wildspitzbahn (1729m)
Finish
Mandarfen (2847m)
Starting point: Mittelberg, Pitztal Glacier Express. This Alpine route is one of the highlights of Pitztal. Take the Glacier Express to the top station then take the Wildspitz gondola up to 3,440 m. From the highest café in Tyrol, enjoy breath-taking views of the Wildspitze, the topmost summit of Tyrol. The magnificent environment of this café provides an ideal setting for reflecting and focussing on the trek and enjoying the panorama vistas before setting out.
Around 200 m from the top station of the Wildspitz gondola the entrance to the Pitztaler Gletschersteig [Glacier trail]. The path starts by leading over a ridge secured by manmade climbing aids. After mastering the ridge you will reach a flat plateau with a small lake. From there, walk along a moraine towards the valley. Just before the
Taschachferner Glacier, climb a crag, which was refurbished with climbing aids in the summer of 2013. The landlord of the catered mountain hut Taschachhaus marks the best way to cross the Glacier with tripods. Depending on the condition of the Glacier, mountaineers may require crampons.
The hut landlord can advise mountaineers before they set out. After crossing the Glacier, continue to walk beneath the Urkundkopf peak on the Rimlsteig, which leads directly to the Taschachhaus at 2,434 m. It is advisable to have a refreshment break at the Taschachhaus, since mountaineers face a 2 km descent to the goods cable car and a 7 km long forest track before they reach Mandarfen on their return.
Contact details: Pitztaler Gletscherbahn. Website: www.pitztal.com
email: pitztal@tirolgletscher.com. Phone: +43(0)5413-86288. For ticket prices for
the Gletscherexpress and Wildspitzbahn please see noticeboard.
www.taschachhaus.com. email: office@taschachhaus.com
Around 200 m from the top station of the Wildspitz gondola the entrance to the Pitztaler Gletschersteig [Glacier trail]. The path starts by leading over a ridge secured by manmade climbing aids. After mastering the ridge you will reach a flat plateau with a small lake. From there, walk along a moraine towards the valley. Just before the
Taschachferner Glacier, climb a crag, which was refurbished with climbing aids in the summer of 2013. The landlord of the catered mountain hut Taschachhaus marks the best way to cross the Glacier with tripods. Depending on the condition of the Glacier, mountaineers may require crampons.
The hut landlord can advise mountaineers before they set out. After crossing the Glacier, continue to walk beneath the Urkundkopf peak on the Rimlsteig, which leads directly to the Taschachhaus at 2,434 m. It is advisable to have a refreshment break at the Taschachhaus, since mountaineers face a 2 km descent to the goods cable car and a 7 km long forest track before they reach Mandarfen on their return.
Contact details: Pitztaler Gletscherbahn. Website: www.pitztal.com
email: pitztal@tirolgletscher.com. Phone: +43(0)5413-86288. For ticket prices for
the Gletscherexpress and Wildspitzbahn please see noticeboard.
www.taschachhaus.com. email: office@taschachhaus.com
Pitztal Glacier Express – From the glacier to the Braunschweiger Hütte
Start
top station of the Glacier Express (2847m)
Finish
Mittelberg (1749m)
The route between the top station of the Glacier Express and the catered mountain hut Braunschweiger Hütte appears to be easy but a treacherous glacier crossing lies in between the two points that should only be attempted with the correct equipment and necessary experience (required equipment: crampons, Grödel crampons). Descend from the Braunschweiger Hütte via a trail that joins with the agricultural road and leads past the Gletscherstube mountain hut.
Wanderung zur Verpeilspitze über den Cottuser Höhenweg
Start
Bergstation Rifflseebahn (2818m)
Finish
Plangeroß (2817m)
Hike to Riegetal
Start
gondola top station (2024m)
Finish
gondola top station (2026m)
Starting point: gondola top station. From there, a wide and steep path leads to the Zollberg peak. On top of the Zollberg you will be able to enjoy beautiful glimpses of the Riegetal valley. A narrow steep path (partially secured with fixed ropes) leads down towards the valley. After mastering this difficult passage, a well prepared steep track leads down to the Riegetal valley all the way to the Groaßsee lake. You may see marmots, native salamanders, chamois and sheep on the way to the lake. A little further on, enjoy the crystal clear water of this mountain lake. To return, follow the path for a while and then take a steep path up to the Hochzeiger peak. After signing the summit register, follow the path downhill to the starting point.
Gondola top station - Gemeindekopf (2,771 m) – Tiroler Jubiläumsweg [Tyrolean Jubilee trail] - Zaunhof
Start
gondola top station (2026m)
Finish
Zaunhof (1295m)
Starting point: gondola top station. From the starting point take the path to the Hochzeiger mountain towards the Groaßsee lake. At the lake, the path forks off to the right to the Hohe Gemeindekopf peak (2,771 m). From there,
you may choose to descend via Kugleter See (lake), keeping to the right to get to the catered mountain hut Ludwigsburger Hütte and then continue to Zaunhof.
you may choose to descend via Kugleter See (lake), keeping to the right to get to the catered mountain hut Ludwigsburger Hütte and then continue to Zaunhof.
Hike to the Brandkogel
Start
Bus stop Mandarfen Rifflseebahn (1674m)
Finish
Bus stop Mandarfen Rifflseebahn (1675m)
Starting in Mandarfen, cross the bridge to the mountain rescue building and then turn right and follow the signpost to “Hirschtal / Rifflsee”. A steep path leads through the Hirschtal valley and up to Rifflsee Lake. Just below the mountain restaurant Sunna Alm / top station of Rifflsee gondola turn right in the direction of Brandkogel / Cottbusser Höhenweg [high-level trail]. Follow the steep path until you reach the next signpost. Once there, turn left in the direction of Brandkogel until the path gets increasingly steep towards the summit cross at 2,676 metres. Please note that there are sections that will require securing with a fixed rope course. Return via the same path back to Rifflsee. Then run around the right hand shore of the lake and keep right to follow the path back down the valley towards the catered mountain hut Taschachalm. Once there, return on the agricultural road back down to your starting point in Mandarfen. Caution: this route should only be attempted in dry weather conditions!
Cottbuser Höhenweg (high-level trail)
Start
Mandarfen or rather Rifflsee gondola bottom station (2290m)
Finish
Plangeroß or rather Mandarfen (1606m)
Turn right on the clearly waymarked track, following the bends in the direction of the Brandkogel peak. Climb further on this steep track, secured by steel ropes, through gullies and rocky slopes, cross over a cirque, the Alzeleskar and walk around the Steinkogel peak in a wide arch. Please note that difficult passages are secured by steel ropes but you still must be sure-footed and confident not to suffer any fear of heights - 360 degrees overview. When this track joins the high-level trail Cottbuser Höhenweg and the path from Plangeroß in the direction of the catered mountain hut Kaunergrathütte, the path is at first flat (but over rocks and stones) but then climbs very steeply up to the Kaunergrat Hütte. Descend via the outward route, but turn off towards Plangeroß at the aforementioned fork. Take the bus back to the starting point Mandarfen.
Tip: If you still feel fit, you may wish to continue to climb the Plangeroßk opf summit
to enjoy beautiful panoramic scenery, which you can reach in about 1 hr from the Kaunergrathütte. Grade: intermediate.
Tip: If you still feel fit, you may wish to continue to climb the Plangeroßk opf summit
to enjoy beautiful panoramic scenery, which you can reach in about 1 hr from the Kaunergrathütte. Grade: intermediate.
Gondola top station - Kreuzjöchlspitz zum Schafhimmel – Ludwigsburger Hütte - Zaunhof
Start
gondola top station (2026m)
Finish
Ludwigsburger Hütte, Zaunhof (1233m)
Starting point: gondola top station. This is a 1 km path along the ridge – very well secured by many fixed ropes. Classed as an easy steep track. Access via the Riegetal valley to the Groaßsee lake. From there, follow the path to the left in the direction of Wildgrat peak up to a height of approx. 2,600 m. You will have to turn off when you see a stone sculpture of a man and a few signposts. Take the path to the Kugleten See
[lake] and to the Gemeindekopf peak. At the start, follow this path in a south-westerly direction. After approx. 150 m you will reach a narrow ridge, the so called ‘Steinmann’ [man of stone]. Leave the path to follow the ridge steeply upwards. After another 150 m a very large arrow indicates that you should change to the other side of the narrow ridge. Further up, climb over an area of grassy slopes with rocks to a small lake
underneath the Riegekopf peak. From there a moderately ascending path leads over rocks to a flat ridge south of the Riegekopf where you can climb the Kreuzjöchlspitz peak (2,908 m) from there in approx. 10 minutes. Following this, continue on the 1 km long ridge, which is well secured by fixed ropes. The ridge runs southeast towards the 2,820 m Schafhimmel peak. This varied climb is marked with paint and it takes 1.5 –
2 hrs to reach the Schafhimmel peak. From there, descend to the Lehner Joch and continue to the catered mountain hut Ludwigsburger Hütte. Walking distance: starting from the top station of Hochzeiger gondola to Kreuzjöchelspitz approx. 3.5 hours, from Kreuzjöchlspitz to Schafhimmel approx. 2 hours.
[lake] and to the Gemeindekopf peak. At the start, follow this path in a south-westerly direction. After approx. 150 m you will reach a narrow ridge, the so called ‘Steinmann’ [man of stone]. Leave the path to follow the ridge steeply upwards. After another 150 m a very large arrow indicates that you should change to the other side of the narrow ridge. Further up, climb over an area of grassy slopes with rocks to a small lake
underneath the Riegekopf peak. From there a moderately ascending path leads over rocks to a flat ridge south of the Riegekopf where you can climb the Kreuzjöchlspitz peak (2,908 m) from there in approx. 10 minutes. Following this, continue on the 1 km long ridge, which is well secured by fixed ropes. The ridge runs southeast towards the 2,820 m Schafhimmel peak. This varied climb is marked with paint and it takes 1.5 –
2 hrs to reach the Schafhimmel peak. From there, descend to the Lehner Joch and continue to the catered mountain hut Ludwigsburger Hütte. Walking distance: starting from the top station of Hochzeiger gondola to Kreuzjöchelspitz approx. 3.5 hours, from Kreuzjöchlspitz to Schafhimmel approx. 2 hours.
Hike to Wildgrat
Start
gondola top station (2026m)
Finish
gondola top station (2020m)
Starting point: gondola top station. From there, take the path to the Hochzeiger mountain and continue to the Riegetal valley. A second alternative route would be to turn right at the top station and take the path to the Zollberg peak and to the Groaßsee lake. From the lake at 2,416 m take a steep trail to the 2,971 m Wildgrat peak, keeping to the left at all times. It is advisable that hikers taking this path should not have any fear of heights or be prone to dizziness. Return via the Zollberg.
Zaunhof/Grüble – Ludwigsburger Hütte – St Leonharder Höhenweg (high-level trail) – Bich
Start
car park, goods cable car near Zaunhof/Grüble (1329m)
Finish
bus stop Zaunhof Grüble (1327m)
From the starting point, climb up to the catered mountain hut Ludwigsburger Hütte. Then continue to walk in the direction of the Lehnerjoch. After approx. 10 minutes tak e a right and follow the waymarked trail leading south. After crossing a few cirques and brooks, there is a secured track to the Hairlacher Kar. Following this, there is another ascent to the Scharte am Westgrat of the Hairlacher Seekopfs summit. Continue after this to the Maurerköpfl peak. Keep on southwards to the crossroads ‘Am Gampen’, then downhill to the derelict mountain hut Äußere Schwarzenbergalm and then continue on to Enger/Bichl.
Please note that this trail is only suitable for experienced hikers with good stamina.
Please note that this trail is only suitable for experienced hikers with good stamina.
