The ultimate panoramic tour in the Zillertal: it combines the Zillertaler Höhenstraße, Rastkogelhütte, Sidanjoch, the Zillertal Shuttle 2,400 mountain station and the Kristallhütte - the hut with the most beautiful panorama in the entire Zillertal - to create an unforgettable mountain bike tour. Riding technique fans will also get their money's worth on the trail from the Rastkogelhütte over the Sidanjoch towards Hochfügen. Over 2,000 metres in altitude in total and the long and steep ascent to the mountain station of the Zillertal Shuttle are only for those in good shape. However, this tour is one of the absolute highlights of the region.
The first section of the tour follows the Zillertaler Höhenstraße. It is ideal for warming up and also offers spectacular views. A gravel road leads to the Rastkogelhütte, which is fantastically situated between the Rastkogel and Marchkopf. While still on the terrace, you can look forward to the technical highlight of this royal tour: a narrow, completely rideable single trail leads uphill from the Rastkogelhütte to the Sidanjoch. The upper part of the descent to Hochfügen is a feast for riding technique freaks. The trail is narrow and rocky down the mountain. You have to get far behind the saddle and brake in a very controlled manner.
The strenuous part begins in Hochfügen: the ascent to the mountain station of the Zillertal Shuttle at almost 2,400 metres. The ascent is tough, around 900 metres in altitude with an average gradient of 14 percent. It is worth making a short stop at the top of the ascent. The view back extends from the Inn Valley to the Karwendel.
After a steep descent, you reach the turn-off to the Kristallhütte, which towers like a viewing platform at the very top of the Öfelerjoch. From up here, you can see the entire Zillertal, its side valleys, the Hintertux Glacier and the main Alpine ridge. When the weather is right, this panorama is simply stunning. Of course, the Kristallhütte is also a wonderful place to stop for a bite to eat. A worthy end to this royal tour. It's only a few minutes downhill to the car park.
INFO
Place
Zell is the second largest village in the Zillertal. Thanks to its central location in the valley and at the foot of the Gerlos Pass, it is a starting point for tours throughout the region.
Accommodation
Zell-Gerlos Tourist Office, Dorfplatz 3a, 6280 Zell, Tel. 0043/5282/22810, www.zell.at. If you want to split the tour into two days, it is best to stay overnight at the Rastkogelhütte, tel. 0043/664/9207523.
Food + drink
The best places to stop for refreshments are certainly the Rastkogelhütte and of course the Kristallhütte at the end of the tour.
Map
Compass map "Zillertaler Alpen - Tuxer Alpen", sheet 37, scale 1:50 000. Mayr hiking, cycling, MTB and touring map 1:35 000, sheet 31, Vorderes Zillertal. Bike map of Zillertal Tourismus GmbH 1:40 000, sheet 1, Vorderes Zillertal (available from May 2007). Digital: Austrian Fly Map 4.0 of the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying 1:50 000, www.bev.gv.at.
Starting point of the tour
From Zell over the Zellberg to the Zillertaler Höhenstraße. Follow this road to the right towards the Bärenbadalm. Approx. 1.3 km after the turn-off to the Bärenbadalm there is a large car park on the left (sign Kristallhütte).
