Trekking in the Zillertal Alps

Guidebook to trekking the Zillertal Rucksack Route (or Berliner Hoehen Weg) and the Zillertal South Tyrol Tour in the Austrian Tyrol. The ZRR avoids glaciers and difficult passes so is suitable for inexperienced trekkers, while the ZSTT traverses the range along the Austro-Italian border. Each takes 8-10 days and has excellent Alpine huts on route.

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This guidebook describes two popular hut-to-hut treks in Austria's Zillertal Alps. Both take eight to ten days to complete, with the option to add in day excursions from the huts to climb local peaks on both sides of the border, including the Zillertal's highest summit, the Hochfeiler.

The Zillertal Rucksack Route, or Berliner Hoehen Weg, links eight huts without crossing glaciers or difficult passes. It starts above Mayrhofen and follows a circular route ending high above the charming village of Ginzling. The length of this tour is 70-80km, depending on your exact start and finish points, and ascends some 6700m.

The Zillertal South Tyrol Tour traverses the whole range along the Austro-Italian border, starting at Turistenraste then linking back to the Rucksack Route to make a circular tour. Overall it is about 55km long and ascends just over 5000m (not including any additional peaks.) It is a physically demanding trek, providing an excellent challenge to more experienced alpine walkers who wish to undertake a tour that is remote and challenging.