-10°C 
is freedom.
WANDA RUTKIEWICZ
Experience the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee in summer
Your summer at the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee means freedom, spectacular views, nature and recovery. In the midst of eternal ice, fresh green meadows and crystal-clear mountain lakes, you can enjoy the mountain air and the incredible glacier panorama. The HIGHEST OF TIROL becomes your nature experience in alpine heights this summer.
Mountain railways and operating hours in summer
The cable cars on the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee take you comfortably and safely to your outdoor activities. So that you can plan your time out in the Pitztal mountains directly, you can find the current operating times of the cable cars here:
Summer programme at Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee
At an altitude of 2,840 m to 3,440 m, the Pitztal Glacier offers a variety of activities in summer, both for active travellers and for pleasure-seekers. The offer is completed by the Rifflsee, which lies a little lower, but is just as popular in the warm season. Here you will find a selection of what summer in the Pitztal mountains has in store for you:
Hikes on the Pitztal Glacier in summer
From summiting the Wildspitze to meditative moments in the White Light Chapel to easy glacier exploration tours: the hikes on the Pitztal Glacier are guaranteed to have something for everyone.
The state-certified Mountain Guides of the Pitztal regularly offer guided tours, so that you can safely reach your destination even without glacier experience.
Rifflsee in summer: for families and those seeking peace and quiet
At 2,232 m, embedded in the glacier world of the three-thousand-metre peaks, you will find the crystal-clear Rifflsee. There you will not only be attracted by leisurely and sporty tours in the surrounding mountains, but also by Europe’s highest raft trip and an adventurous children’s programme. Those who are more in search of relaxation from the stress of everyday life can instead enjoy yoga on the lakeside.
Trail running around the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee
For several years now, the Pitztal valley has enjoyed particular popularity among trail runners in summer. The well-marked and varied trails around the Rifflsee lake make the valley one of the most popular trail running destinations in Austria. Those interested in competitions should not miss the Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail in August!
Moments of pleasure on a Pitztal holiday in summer
The mountain restaurants and alpine pastures on the HIGHEST OF TIROL invite you to stop and enjoy. Home-made Tyrolean specialities are waiting to be tasted while you enjoy the view of the Pitztal mountains. A special highlight is the Café 3440, Austria’s highest coffee house: hut owner Sepp and his team welcome you at a breathtaking 3,440 m!
The offer for active people and nature enthusiasts who want to experience more during their Pitztal holiday in summer: Whether Kaunertal Glacier & Fendels, Imster Bergbahnen or Hochzeiger – there are numerous mountain railways to choose from when you buy a summer ticket.
More summer tips for the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee
Do you want more? Then we have some additional suggestions for excursions ready for you here. Your summer on the Pitztal Glacier will be unforgettable:
Austria’s highest café and pastry shop – for all those who want to be amazed!
Picture-perfect scenery with a daily programme at 3,440 m – click here for the programme!
IMPORTANT NOTE // last descent Wildspitzbahn at 3.30 p.m.
Sacred work of art on the Pitztal Glacier – a place of tranquillity at 2,800 metres above sea level!
Easy meditation path around the Chapel of the White Light
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 15 minutes
Every MI at 10.15 am and 1.15 pm and SA at 10.15 am
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 3 hours
Costs: EUR 7
The tour can be booked through the Pitztal Mountain Guide Association.
Difficulty: medium
Duration: 5 hours
The tour can be booked through the Pitztal Mountain Guide Association.
Every TUE and FRI guided tour with mountain guide – early departure at 07.05 for your summit victory!
Meeting point: 06.45 am valley station Gletscherexpress
Difficulty: difficult
Duration: 6 – 8 hours
The tour can be booked through the Pitztal Mountain Guide Association.
Every SAT guided hike to the Mittagskogel (3,162 m).
Difficulty: medium
Duration: 3 hours
The tour can be booked through the Pitztal Mountain Guide Association.
Every SUN at 07.05 am start for the ascent to Café 3440 for breakfast.
Then descent to the Taschachhaus.
Return by mountain bike.
Meeting point: valley station Gletscherexpress
Difficulty: difficult
Duration: 5 hours
Bike Hotline: +43 660 755 84 83
The tour can be booked through the Pitztal Mountain Guide Association.
If you are on the E5 in the Pitztal, you can shorten the tour by about 1 hour with the Gletscherexpress and save about 400 metres in altitude.
Additional leisure activities at the Rifflsee
You can also spend a lot of exciting summer days at the Rifflsee. With these suggestions, it will certainly not be boring around the refreshing mountain lake:
Tyrol’s living room on the lake. In the mountain restaurant you can enjoy regional delicacies with a view of Austria’s highest mountain lake.
Suitable for families with prams.
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 1 hour
Europe’s highest raft trip at 2,232 m:
- Raft trips take place in the months of JUL + AUG *Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
- At 1.30 pm
- Duration: approx. 45 minutes
- Drinks are sold directly at the raft!
- There will be no raft trip in bad weather. Info hotline: +43 5413 862 88
Watch frogs and tadpoles up close – appropriate for families.
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 30 minutes
Hike along the high-altitude trail – first walk over the glacier moraine to the Taschachhaus to the material cable car.
After booking by telephone, you can hire mountain bikes (bike hotline: +43 660 755 84 83) for the return route to Mandarfen.
Difficulty: medium
Duration: 5 hours
The tour can be booked through the TVB Pitztal, the Mandarfen mountain guide office or the mountain guide association.
Exciting children’s puzzle around the Rifflsee with certificate and reward in the Sunna Alm.
Find your flow by the water: yoga session followed by breakfast in the Sunna Alm.
Dates: every Thursday (until 01 SEPT 2022).
Meeting point: 09.15 am, Rifflseebahn valley station.
Registration required!
There is another cache hidden in the mountain world of the Rifflsee – find it!
Ideal running area for individual running routes for trail runners – run free.
Event tip: Trail running event for all levels “Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail”. All info at pitz-alpine.at
Hike into the valley via the Panorama Trail to the Taschachalm and on to Mandarfen.
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 1.5 hours
Past the Rifflsee lake, you hike into the Wurmtal valley.
Slightly uphill and halfway back you will find Ploder See at the highest point.
Difficulty: medium
Duration: 4 hours
WHAT ELSE THE PITZTAL HAS TO OFFER IN SUMMER
Interesting hike: on the way to the Gletscherstube, the legends of the Pitztal valley are brought closer.
Difficulty: suitable for families, easy
Duration: from Mittelberg 30 minutes
Around Mandarfen there are various stone sculptures that were created on the occasion of the international stone sculpture symposia.
Difficulty: easy
Duration: 1 hour
The course with 8 stations at the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten offers optimal training in a wide variety of areas.
At the Tyrolean Ibex Centre you can learn everything about the reintroduction of the ibex in the Pitztal valley.
Plan your trip to the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee now
Destination station: Train Station Imst
How to get from Imst train station to the Pitztal
- by public bus
- by cab (journey takes approx. 25 minutes)
- shuttle service from the hotel – depending on the agreement with your accomodation
