Hiking paradise in the heart of the Alps
The High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps is a hiking paradise in the heart of the Alps, with pasture chalets or alpine mountain huts serving as the starting point for hikes around the Schlegeis, which also invite you to stop and stay a while.
The Schlegeis reservoir is surrounded by the High Alps Nature Park Zillertal Alps, which has shaped 422 km² of the Zillertal valley as a conservation area since 1991. Excellent routes and hiking trails as well as numerous shelter and pasture chalets make the region and its impressive backdrop the ideal point of departure for easy hikes, tours of moderate difficulty, lofty high-elevation trails and sporty summit tours. The area around the Schlegeis reservoir offers the perfect place for pleasure hikers and demanding alpinists.
Safe hiking
The hiking area already ranks among the high alpine regions. So there are a few important rules you need to follow:
- Wear sturdy shoes.
- Always take some food along on your hikes and especially enough to drink.
- Do not leave the marked hiking trails.
- Keep an eye on the weather: in the high mountains, the weather can change very quickly.
Nature park building
Besides interesting exhibits and impressions connected with the high mountain nature park Zillertaler Alps, in the nature park building you can also get tips for mountain tours and hiking routes.
The nature park building is in Ginzling, right along the Schlegeis Alpenstrasse Alpine Road. Toll tickets for the drive up to the Schlegeis dam are also available there.
Hikes and refreshment stops at the Schlegeis reservoir
The shoreline path along the lake offers a wonderful view of the Schlegeiskees glacier and the highest mountain in the Zillertal Alps, the Hochfeiler at 3,509 m. For pleasure hikers, a walk along the Schlegeis reservoir is a real blessing and offers a wonderful view of the Zillertal Alps. Benches and loungers along the reservoir invite you to stay a while and enjoy yourself. Tyrolean treats are served in the Schlegeis mountain restaurant, the Zamsereck snack station and the other chalets.
In addition to hiking to the surrounding shelter chalets, the Neumarkter Runde past the Olperer Chalet is really worth the walk.
Another hiking tip is the ascent through the delightful landscape of the “Zamser Grund” high valley to the “Pfitscherjochhaus” located at 2,277 metres above sea level in South Tyrol. This route was one way to cross the Alps even in ancient times.
The marked trails have different degrees of difficulty and walking times, so you’re bound to find the right one to meet your needs.
S´Raschtl & Basecamp # Schlegeis 131
A rest and meeting point for all hikers, bikers and climbers right by the Schlegeis dam.
After exiting the tunnel, turn immediately left at the crown of the dam. Also located here is the BASECAMP #Schlegeis131 for the world’s first via ferrata on a dam wall. Booking point, rental and sale of via ferrata sets.
Opening times: June to October, daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Contact: Mr Alfons Hörhager / +43 (0)664 249 20 07
Domenikus Chalet
Situated right above the car park by the Schlegeissperre is the Dominikus Chalet. Tuck into Tyrolean specialities on the sun terrace while enjoying the wonderful view of the reservoir and the Schlegeiskees glacier.
Rooms with beds and 4-person dormitories are available for overnight stays.
Opening times: Mid-May to end of October (as for the Schlegeis Alpine Road)
Contact: Fam. Lapp / +43 (0)664 732 96 939
Olperer Chalet
The Olperer Chalet stands above the Schlegeis reservoir at an elevation of 2,389 m and can be reached from here in about 1.5 hours, covering 600 vertical metres. The well sealed path is also suitable for families. Due to the south-facing location in the Riepenkar, directly below the massive Olperer (3,476 m), the third-highest summit in the Zillertal Alps, visitors to the chalet can enjoy the sun all day long.
Opening times: From end of May (check the information board at the entrance)
Contact: Fam. Katharina & Manuel Daum / +43 (0)664 417 656
Furtschagl House
Walk from the Zamsgatterl along the lake to its end, where you can cross the streams that flow down from the Schlegeiskees glacier there. A little further into the valley is the station of the material ropeway. Now walk through a few bends in the shadow of the Hochfeiler north face and the Großer Möseler to the chalet.
The chalet offers space for 123 people and has an excellent cuisine. The winter room is open all year and has 13 sleeping places.
Opening times: Mid-June to end of September
Contact: Ms Barbara Gratz / +43 (0)676 964 63 50
Friesenberghaus
The Friesenberghaus lies at 2,498 m in the upper Zillertal, at the foot of the Hoher Riffler. Not only does the chalet impress with its idyllic views across the lake and towards the Hochfeiler and Großer Möseler, but the Friesenbergsee as well as the Petersköpfl with its “Stoanmandl Garden” are also worth a visit. The chalet can be reached in about 2 hours from the Schlegeis reservoir along an easy path that is also suitable for children.
Opening times: Mid-June to beginning of October
Contact: Ms Susanne Albertini & Mr Florian Schranz / +43 (0) 676 749 7550
Pfitscherjochhaus
Hike from Pfitscherjochhaus up to over 3,500 m and benefit from convenient transitions to neighbouring chalets and valleys. The hosts offer hot food all day long.
Opening times: Mid-June to mid-October
Contact: Fam. Volgger / +39 (0)472-767754 / Chalet: +39 (0)472-630119
Fischerhütte Chalet
Walk 10 minutes from the Zamsgatterl car park to the Fischerhütte chalet on the shore of the Schlegeis reservoir. Fresh smoked trout from the reservoir is served daily.
Opening times: Mid-May to mid-October
Contact: Fam. Kröll / +43 (0)5285 62581
Schlegeis mountain restaurant
In the spaciously laid out Schlegeis mountain restaurant, you can look forward to typical Tyrolean treats. Enjoy the panoramic view of the glaciers in the Zillertal mountains around the reservoir.
Opening times: Operations have been temporarily suspended!
Zamsgatterl
This small but mighty snack station is located at the beginning of the road to the Pfitscherjoch, right next to the Zamsgatterl car park.
Opening times: June to September
Contact: Mr Sebastian Schlögl / +43 676 4466851
Zamsereck
The Zamsereck is located at the end of the Schlegeis Alpine Road, on the south side of the Schlegeis reservoir.
Enjoy hot food on the sunny terrace all day long, while the children have fun in the playground.
Opening times: July to August
Contact: Fam. Lapp / +43 (0)664 732 96 939