Schlegeis

Elevation: 850m / Lenght: 14km / Time: 6h
Visit rate: 4/5 / Rating: 4/5

In the Zillertal Alps is the most famous panoramic bridge in Austria. The dam at which this bridge is located is quite remote and hidden from the world. A single toll road with a shuttle service leads to it. I've forgotten the price (something between 9 and 18 Euros), but classically it does air out the wallet a bit.

My primary reason for wanting to go to this place was the special ferrata Schlegeis 131. In the end, we decided to skip the dam and hike up into the mountains to the Friesenbergsee lake and the aforementioned bridge. 

After about an hour of hiking, you will reach the Olpererhütte mountain hut and just a few meters further on is your final IG spot. You'll have to wait a few minutes for a photo here, I'd say hundreds of hikers take turns here during the day. Your only chance to enjoy this spot in peace is during the early morning or maybe evening.

The road to the lake was still not completely passable in early July. There were remnants of snow in a few places and it wasn't completely safe in some areas. A group of female hikers and their dogs we passed had to turn around and walk back. We managed to overcome all the snow and arrived at the lake after about 2 hours.

Here I took probably one of my most beautiful photos ever. Photographing sheep in the snow in the mountains is just a blast. You'll feel like you're somewhere in the Himalayas. In the hut I recommend to taste the local cakes.

Then it was just a 2 hour long drive back to the car park. About halfway there you come across a nice large field with cattle. The local cows are quite friendly and in some cases want to eat your backpack. I let one drool me a bit and continued on to the parking lot. The whole hike took something like 6 hours at pace.

The QR code will direct you to our hiking circuit at the Schlegeis Stausee dam.