Zillertal Alps

The Zillertal Alps are a huge area of peaks and glacial drama by the Austrian-Italian border, draining through numerous valleys into the deep, wide Ziller valley. Each of these tributary valleys is gorgeous and gives access to walking bliss.

Bits of the Zillertal are spoilt by its skiing popularity, but, while there are areas to avoid, there are areas of pristine landscape, and good summer lift-access to the high ground!

The Zillertal area is well loved, and well walked, so the more popular walks won’t generally feel that remote, although you can get away.

Its mountain huts are one of Austria’s glories, and there are plenty of them in this area, usually in superb or at the least very pretty and charming locations. Note, though, that you do need to book ahead. The contact details of huts in a number of the best areas are in the Cicerone books or can be found locally.

There are a plethora of great walks here, from short explorations to multi-dayers. You can spend a varied week day-walking here.

Multi-dayers

There are two main multi-day walks here:

Höhenweg (Zillertaler Rund Tour/ Rucksack Route/Berliner Höhenweg): one of Austria’s great walks: a marvellous 9 day (up to 80km) horseshoe around the high mountains, climbing for two days up the main eastern ridge to the high border mountains, where it traverses westward for four days below the high peaks, crossing three high passes, before descending the main western ridge for three days. It is a hut-to-hut walk, so heavy loads don’t need to be carried, but still a demanding walk.

Zillertal South Tyrol Tour: another gorgeous walk in the high mountains, most of which is actually in Italy, on the southern flanks of the range. 8 days (55km) or less, if you start at an intermediate roadhead.  It is, again, a hut-to-hut walk, so heavy loads don’t need to be carried. Relatively unknown, so expect fewer people.

There are other multi-dayers and, with the good huts, you can devise your own, to suit you and your tastes and capacities. Just look at maps and guidebooks and salivate.

Day walks

Great day walks abound.

Zillergrund: this eastern tributary has a tempting selection in the great bowl at its head, surrounded by 3,000m peaks, several of them nestling glaciers. The 1.5hr 500m climb to the superbly sited Plauener Hut at 2,364m looks like a joy.

Zemmgrund: this valley leads to another great circle of peaks and glaciers on the Italian border. Its lower reaches are forested, then, beyond a section of gorges, you are in immaculate highlands of perfect meadows below huge, serene peaks. The climb to the wonderfully positioned Berliner Hut is the day walk Walkopedia covets. Even better, you could overnight in the hut and explore the high slopes the next day – the hut is at the beginning of the Berliner Hohenweg and at the heart of the Hohenweg/Rucksack Route.

The Zamsergrund: another beautiful valley leading to the high peaks of the border ridge – and the 2,275m Pfitscher Joch pass into Italy. The 2hr walk to the hut on the pass is well known and loved. There are plenty of other good walks in the area.

In the northern end of the Ziller valley, above Mayrhofen, you can walk the eastern ridge via Laberg; and explore the western Reanken Niedermoor area beyond the ski scarring.

This can be tough walking in remote mountains with uncertain weather. Come fully prepared,

Have a look at TripAdvisor –  you should get good, current views on the area.

Walking in Austria  – Kev Reynolds for Cicerone: more than 100 walks in the Austrian Alps, including 9 in this area. Trekking in the Zillertal Alps – Allan Hartley for Cicerone is the book for the Hohenweg and the South Tyrol Tour. As usual, inspiring books (indeed, Walkopedia was alerted to some of these walks by them), packed with valuable information, including good detail on the routes. As Austrian maps are good, Walking in Austria has less on each walk than some other Cicerones, but that is fine. Recommended. Find relevant books on Amazon.