In this article, you will find comprehensive information about the Pitztal Valley and its recommended attractions.
Table of Contents
- Pitztal Valley – General Information
- Weather in the Valley
- Pitztal Glacier
- Café 3440
- Rifflsee Lake
- Recommended Waterfalls
- Other Recommended Attractions:
- Mountain Descent on Three-Wheeled Carts
- Adventure Rope Park
- Pitz Park
- Additional Essential Information
- More Attractions in the Area
Pitztal Valley – General Information
The alpine Pitztal Valley is located in the southern part of the upper Inn Valley. The Pitze River flows through the valley and into the Rifflsee lake. The valley’s residents mainly earn their living from agriculture and, of course, tourism.
There are three main villages in the valley:
Arzl im Pitztal
This small village is located in the northern part of the valley at an altitude of 880 meters. About 3,000 residents live in and around the village. The professional skier Benjamin Raich was born here. If you’d like to stay in this small village, you can search for excellent accommodations by clicking here.
Wenns
The village is in the heart of the valley, at an altitude of 962 meters. It is considered the central area for visitors and many come during the ski season to enjoy the nearby ski resorts. Wenns is home to the oldest farmhouse in Tyrol (about 700 years old). If you’d like to stay in this small village, you can search for excellent accommodations by clicking here.
Sankt Leonhard im Pitztal
Up the Pitze River lies a small village at an altitude of 1,366 meters. The village is in the south of the valley, and due to its high location, the weather can be quite harsh during the winter months. If you wish to stay in this small village in the summer, you can search for excellent accommodations by clicking here.
Weather in the Pitztal Valley
The valley offers many outdoor activities, so it’s best to be prepared and updated on the weather to plan your trip properly. The weather in Austria, in general, can be unpredictable, so you can’t rely on past weather to predict your own experience. It’s recommended to check the forecast on the morning of your trip to be ready for any scenario.
Generally, the best months for a summer trip are May to September. During these months, temperatures are comfortable, ranging between 20-25°C during the day. The hottest month is August, with temperatures around 25°C. It’s important to remember that temperatures drop at night (sometimes significantly), so you should bring warmer clothing as well.
The rainiest months are actually the summer months of June – August. July has the most rainfall, with an average of about 13 rainy days.
Winter is characterized by low temperatures but without large amounts of precipitation. During the winter months, the temperature ranges from 0-10°C. The coldest month is January, and the driest is February.
When preparing for a trip to the Pitztal Valley (or any other part of Austria), it’s best to dress in layers. Thin layers close to the body with warmer clothing on top. It’s advisable to have rain and windproof outerwear. An umbrella is always good to have in your bag or car, as even sunny days can turn rainy within a few hours.
Lastly, the temperatures in the valley do not reflect the temperatures on the mountain peaks. If you plan to visit high altitudes, take into account that the temperatures will be lower and there will likely be a cold wind.
You can check the updated forecast here.
The Glacier at the Summit of the Pitztal Valley Mountains
At the southern end of the valley, there is a huge glacier at an altitude of 3,440 meters. The glacier is snow-covered for most of the year, and a ski resort operates there for about 9 months. Due to its high altitude, it is the highest ski resort in Austria. You can reach the glacier via the Wildspitzbahn cable car, which goes up to the highest peak, called Hinterer Brunnenkogel. From there, you can enjoy a magnificent view and see Austria’s second-highest peak, the Wildspitze. Additionally, Austria’s highest café operates here (more on that later).
If you come to ski on the glacier, you can choose from a variety of slopes for all levels. The slopes are mainly for advanced and professional skiers, but there are also simple slopes for beginners.
Near the glacier is the Rifflsee lake area, which has slopes that are more suitable for families and beginners.
In the summer, you can take a guided tour with an experienced mountain guide. The circular tour takes you deep into the glacier area. Along the route, you will see natural ice sculptures and the wonderful nature surrounding the glacier. Good hiking shoes, sunglasses, and sunscreen are a must.
- Operating Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:15 AM
- Cost: €10
- Meeting Point: The terrace of the Kristall restaurant, right next to the upper station of the Gletscherexpress cable car.
- Duration: 3 hours
- Please note: The tour only takes place in good weather conditions.
Café 3440 – The Highest Café in Austria!
At the top of the glacier, at an altitude of 3,440 meters, there is a café with a breathtakingly beautiful view. This is Café 3440, the highest café in Austria. The café is surrounded by 50 peaks that are over 3,000 meters high, offering a spectacular panoramic view. You can sit on the café’s terrace and enjoy a delicious cake and a warm coffee while gazing at the horizon and taking a deep breath of the fresh mountain air.
The café is easily accessible; it is located next to the highest cable car station of the ski resort. You first need to take the Gletscherexpress cable car and then the Wildspitzbahn to the summit of Hinterer Brunnenkogel.
- Opening Hours: Every day from 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM.
- Cable Car Station Address: 6481 Sankt Leonhard im Pitztal
- Cable Car Operating Times to the Glacier Summit
- Cable Car Prices to the Glacier Summit
Rifflsee Lake
Rifflsee Lake is the highest lake in Austria, situated at an altitude of 2,232 meters among high and impressive peaks. To reach the lake, you need to take a cable car called Rifflseebahn from the small village of Mandarfen. (If you want to stay in the village, you can check for recommended accommodations here). The main attraction at this lake, besides the views, clear water, and hiking trails, is a ride on a large raft across the lake.
The large raft is suitable for groups of up to 60 people, and the ride lasts 45 minutes. During the cruise, you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view and hear interesting facts about the area.
The cruise only operates in good weather conditions. The price is approximately €14 for an adult and €9 for a child.
Recommended Waterfalls in the Valley
Throughout the Pitztal Valley area, there are 4 impressive waterfalls, among the most beautiful in Tyrol. Near these waterfalls, there are viewing platforms with great views.
1. Bichler Wasserfall
Near the village of St. Leonhard, there is a beautiful waterfall that can be reached by walking along a circular trail starting from the village. The trail begins at the Enger bus stop. Follow the marked path through the forest until you reach the viewing platform. The last 50 meters are quite steep but not overly difficult. From the platform, you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of the waterfall. On the way back, follow the same path initially and then turn towards Ronach/Enger. From there, walk along the road, across the river, and back to the starting point.
2. Pfitschebach Wasserfall
The Pfitschebach river flows from high in the mountains and cascades down the slopes of the Pitztal Valley. To reach the falls, you need to walk for about 20 minutes through the forest. The trail starts from the Eggenstall car park and involves an ascent. Proper hiking shoes are required. At the end of the walk, you’ll reach a fantastic viewing platform overlooking the waterfall.
3. Söllberg Wasserfall
This viewing platform is the newest, but some say it’s the most beautiful in the valley. At the entrance to the village of St. Leonhard, the Söllbach river flows strongly and powerfully cascades down the mountains near the village of Wiese. You can reach this impressive platform with a 30-minute walk through Wiese. You can combine the waterfall visit with a hike up the mountain towards the Söllbergalm mountain hut. Another option is to walk from there towards the impressive natural Kitzgarten canyon.
4. Stuiben Waterfalls (Stuibenfall)
These are the highest waterfalls in Tyrol and can be reached from either the Pitztal or Ötztal valley. If starting from Pitztal, the hike begins at the Schön guesthouse in the village of Schön. There is an easier way to reach the falls from the Ötztal valley. Read more about the Stuiben waterfalls here.
Other Recommended Attractions:
Mountain Descent on Three-Wheeled Carts – ZirbenCart
If you’re looking for some excitement and love a bit of adrenaline (but not too much), you should try the ZirbenCart three-wheeled carts, which are suitable for off-road descent down the mountains. The route starts from the Sechszeiger peak at 2,392 meters. The track is 3.7 kilometers long and is, of course, a steep and enjoyable downhill ride. The carts are quite safe and have brakes. You also get a helmet.
You can reach the starting point via a combined cable car – the first part is in a closed cabin and the second part is an open chairlift. The cable cars will take you to the top of the Sechszeiger peak, from where you can speed down.
- Operating Times: June 7 to October 12. Every day from 9:10 AM to 4:00 PM.
- Cost: €15 for a single ride.
- Address: Jerzens 6474
- Please note: Only children aged 12 and over can ride the cart alone.
Adventure Rope Park
The rope park offers a variety of challenging high-altitude courses. After a short safety briefing, you can try out the different rope courses in the park. The park is located in the heart of the forest, surrounded by charming nature. There are 2 courses for older children and adults, 2 courses for children, 1 toddler course, and an exciting Flying Fox zip line.
- Opening Hours: In the summer months from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed on Fridays.
- Cost:
- Adult – €29
- Child (from 130 cm) – €25
- Small Child (under 110 cm) – €19
- More Information
Pitz Park – Swimming Lake and Playground
A nice family spot for hot summer days! At Pitzpark in Wenns, there is a small swimming lake and a large playground with various facilities for children. There is also a restaurant and café nearby, so everyone can find something to do in this lovely park.
- Swimming Lake Opening Hours: Open on nice weather days from May 19 to mid-September. Every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
- Playground Opening Hours: Open from mid-May to mid-September (and even until mid-October if the weather is good).
- Entrance Fee: Starting from €3.10 for an adult and €2.10 for a child.
- Address: St. Margarethen 637
Additional Essential Information
- Official Website
- Information on the Pitztal Valley Discount Card
- Live Cams from the Glacier
- Address: Pitztal, Tirol
- Map:
More Attractions in the Area
The Pitztal Valley is ideally located in Tyrol, close to a variety of other attractions you won’t want to miss. The most popular place a short drive away is the Ötztal Valley. The valley offers many nature activities, a spa, and some extreme sports. There, you can enjoy the Aqua Dome spa, considered the most beautiful in the Alps, the largest extreme sports park in Europe called Area 47, a birds of prey show, and many other great attractions!
Another exciting place is the village of Imst, with its particularly long and fun alpine coaster. The village is a 20-minute drive from the heart of the valley.
