Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Walking Trail
Zillertal Circuit
Start
Schlegeisspeicher
End
Schlegeisspeicher
Length
11km; five to six hours
This high-level circuit provides tremendous views to the turquoise Schlegeisspeicher and snowcapped Zillertal
Alps. Though the trek involves 850m of incline, the path is well graded and mostly gentle; however, use care in
bad weather. Kompass 1:50,000 map No 37
Zillertaler Alpen-Tuxer Alpen
covers the walk in detail. Begin at the
Schlegeisspeicher
, ringed by rugged 3000m-high peaks. From the northeast end of the car park follow signs
towards the Dominikus Hütte, bearing right towards Friesenberghaus alpine hut. The path emerges at the treeline
near the alpine pasture of
Friesenbergalm
after about 45 minutes. It flattens to cross tarn-dotted pastures.
Sidle around a shoulder and enter a valley overshadowed by Hoher Riffler.
Boulder-strewn meadows give way to scree patches and the
Lapenkarbach
stream. The trail winds uphill
via long bends, then tight switchbacks, to the
Friesenberghaus
at the head of the valley around 1½ hours
from Friesenbergalm. This is a scenic spot for a break.
Retrace your steps for 50m, following the signs right towards the Olperer Hütte and the Berliner Höhenweg.
The trail descends slightly, crossing the outlet stream of
Friesenbergsee
, then makes a short, steep ascent up
the rocky slope on the other side. Turn left when you reach a junction and contour the mountainside ahead. The
next 1½ hours follow an easygoing balcony trail, part of the multiday
Berliner Höhenweg
route. It leads un-
der the glacier-capped peaks of the Gefrorene-Wand-Spitzen.
About two hours from Friesenberghaus, cross a stream to reach
Olperer Hütte
, a great place for a drink.
Then it's a steady descent to the reservoir, winding gently over grassy hummocks before zigzagging down be-
side the
Riepenbach
stream to the road (1½ hours from the Olperer Hütte). Turn left and head 1km to the
parking area.
Gerlos Alpine Road
Open year-round, the highly scenic
Gerlos Alpine Road
(
www.gerlosstrasse.at
; toll per car/motorcycle €8/
5)
links the Zillertal in Tyrol to Krimml in Salzburgerland, winding 12km through high
moor and spruce forest, and reaching a maximum elevation of 1630m.
The lookout above the turquoise
Stausee
(reservoir) is a great picnic stop, with a tre-
mendous vista of the Alps. On the approach to Krimml near Schönmoosalm, there are
bird's-eye views of the Krimml Falls.
