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Climbing and hiking at the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee
If you want to discover new perspectives, you have to go high up: on the DACH TIROLS, the impressive mountain world of the Pitztal Glacier opens up. Even the ride up is an experience in itself: with the Gletscherexpress and Austria’s most modern cable car – the Wildspitzbahn – you can effortlessly reach the glacier at alpine heights. From the mountain stations you can explore the glacier world on your own or with a guide.
Here you can find our tips for climbing and hiking on the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee.
Easy glacier hikes in the Pitztal valley
On the glacier near the village of St. Leonhard in the Pitztal valley, there are numerous options for hiking. From leisurely hikers to extreme mountaineers, everyone will find their own route. We have put together our favourites for a leisurely day on the mountain for you here.
You can get to your glacier hike in Pitztal with the modern lifts of the Gletscherexpress and the Wildspitzbahn:
Soulful Glacier Moments
How long has it been since you last took time for yourself? In the midst of the Pitztal glacier world, take a deep breath and go on a walk with your senses together with Anna (psychologist & mindset coach): See the beauty of the architecture, feel the wind at alpine heights and taste the sweet simplicity of life.
- dates 2023: 20.07. // 27.07. // 10.08. // 24.08. // 07.09.
- meeting point: 8.30 am valley station Gletscherexpress
- duration: approx. 3.5 hours
- note: Please adapt your clothing to the weather conditions
max. 10 persons - costs: Ascent only with valid lift ticket // Participation is free of charge.
Meditation walk to the Chapel of the White Light
Only a few minutes’ walk from the Kristall mountain restaurant, but definitely worth a visit, is the Chapel of White Light. A sacred work of art, its bright white granite blends in with the red rock of the surroundings in a rich contrast. The colourful windows inside the chapel create constantly changing plays of colour depending on the incidence of light.
Glacier day - hike in the eternal ice
The eternal ice: a fascination that needs to be explored. Together with a state-certified mountain guide, you will learn more about the formation of the Pitztal Glacier while hiking there. The easy hiking tour leads through moraine terrain that is thousands of years old, crevasses and deep glacier mills.
- dates: every WED at 10.15 am and 1.15 .pm // every SAT at 10.15 am
- meeting point: directly at the Glacier Centre – sun terrace Restaurant Kristall
- duration: approx. 3 hours
- costs: EUR 7,-
- ascent only with valid train ticket
Hike, retreat and enjoy in the Pitztal Valley
In the Pitztal, as elsewhere, a stop for refreshments is part and parcel of hiking and mountain walking. Delicious regional specialities await you in the mountain restaurants of the Pitztal Glacier & Rifflsee, with which you can recharge your energy batteries.
Sporty mountain tours & summit tours in the Pitztal valley
Hike at alpine heights on the Pitztal Glacier and climb the 3,000-metre peaks: A summit tour like this can bring you to your personal limits. But only those who overcome their sporting limits will exceed themselves. We recommend that you book a mountain guide for more challenging tours!
Tour Tip // Hike to the Braunschweigerhütte
A moderately difficult mountain tour for the athletically active: Take the Glacier Express to the mountaineering area of the Pitztal Glacier. From here you hike across the eternal ice. You will always have your destination in sight: the Braunschweigerhütte. After a stop for refreshments, the descent into the valley begins, back to the starting point. The tour can also be done with a mountain guide. For more information, contact the Pitztal mountain guides directly!
Guided summit tour on the Wildspitze
It is striking, imposing and close enough to touch: the Wildspitze! As the highest mountain in Tyrol and the second highest in Austria, it is a must for every alpinist. The initially easy ascent starts from the mountain station of the Gletscherexpress. The more metres you climb, the more you feel in harmony with the rope team and the mountain. A day tour for sporty mountaineers!
- Dates 2023: every THU
- Meeting point: 06.45 hrs valley station Gletscherexpress // early departure at 07.00 hrs
- Duration: 6 to 8 hours
- Further information on the tour and registration directly with the Pitztal Mountain Guide Association
For sports enthusiasts who not only want to hike on the Pitztal Glacier in summer, but also discover the Rifflsee.
The Pitztal Valles in summertime: Hiking at the Rifflsee
Summer hiking tours in the Pitztal valley can be found around the living room of Tyrol: the Rifflsee. It is the highest accessible mountain lake in Austria. The Rifflsee cable car takes you directly from Mandarfen to the hiking area. Here you will find many hidden places that invite you to linger. You want to go higher? The Rifflsee is also the starting point for several high-altitude hiking trails in the Pitztal mountains.
Circular hiking trail at the Rifflsee
The starting point of the Rifflsee circular hike is the Sunna Alm. On the left, a pleasant path leads you around the turquoise-blue mountain lake. On particularly hot days, you will be tempted to dip your toes into the ice-cold water. After about an hour you will be back at the starting point. You can fortify yourself with Tyrolean delicacies on the spacious sun terrace of the Sunna Alm.
Hike to the Hidden Lake
Halfway along the circular hiking trail from Rifflsee, there is a turnoff to the Hidden Lake. Although much smaller, this biotope is no less exciting as a place of discovery, especially for the little ones. Frogs, tadpoles and small fish cavort here and delight children of all ages.
Fuldaer Höhenweg - Taschachhaus
After the ascent with the Rifflsee cable car, you join your guide and the hiking group on the Fuldaer Höhenweg. Moderately steep uphill or downhill and across several streams you reach the Taschachhaus. You will be rewarded with a magnificent view of the Taschach north face. The descent leads over a glacier moraine to the bike rental, from where you return by mountain bike
Your digital hiking map for the Pitztal Valley
For your exploration of the mountains in Pitztal, it is worth taking a look at a hiking map. This way you can see all the hikes and mountain tours that you can experience here. On the website of the tourism association you will find an interactive hiking map for the Pitztal – alternatively you can buy the hiking map “Pitztal Alpenwelt” directly at the ticket office.