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

As with the small Harbeweiher pond circular hike, with your back turned to the Nature Park Centre, turn right on the farm road in a southerly direction. Follow this road to a fork and also turn right in the direction of Harbeweiher pond. Unlike the small Harbeweiher pond circular route, continue to follow this road past a fantastic viewing point until you reach the Harbeweiher pond. This pond is an extremely untouched and wild, romantic area not far from the Nature Park Centre and lends itself perfectly for nature lovers who do not want to cover long distances. After a short ascent, you will have reached the highest point and can then return on a forest road to the other side of the Nature Park Centre.     

On the way to the catered mountain hut Larcher Alm, turn off left at the third bend and follow a path, which leads you directly to the ‘Gstoanig Kapelle’, a chapel. Return by the same route to the starting point.

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.