Hintertux Things to Do

3 more images

Our most breathtaking experience in Austria was our visit the ‘Ice Palace’ at the top of the Hintertux glacier. This complex of ice caves - technically a crevasse at the head of the glacier - is located at an elevation of 3,250m and was only discovered in 2007. It is an incredibly atmospheric place which offers a rare and an awe inspiring opportunity to appreciate the interior world and workings of a glacier.

We were lucky enough to be the only people on the last tour of the day, and because we were so enthusiastic, the project leader allowed us to enter a section of the cave not usually accessible to the public. The visible layering of the ice (the unusually warm summer of 2003 shows up as a distinct dark band) and the parallel between the development of icicles in the cave and stalagtites/mites in conventional limestone caves is uncanny, whilst the warping of icicles into twisted forms like frozen tree roots serves to emphasise the fluid nature of glacier flow. (Excuse me reverting to my geologist roots!).

Sections of the cave have been illuminated with coloured lights which add a different dimension to the experience, and the guide is well experienced at pointing out the locations which offer the best photo opportunities. The tour takes about an hour, but it won't seem anywhere near that long.

On a practical note, the cave is accessed from the top ski lift at Hintertux and is a 200m walk (under supervision) from the stunning Gefrorene-Wand viewpoint. Probably the most cost effective way to visit the Ice Palace would be to combine it with your skiing (as you'll have already paid for your lift pass) and leave your equipment in the office when you do the guided tour. Ski boots are suitable for visiting the caves.

Entrance to the Ice Palace is reasonable (€8 for adults and €4 for children in December 2010), but note that no children under 8 are allowed. There are several short, steep ladders between the different levels, which would be a challenge if you have mobility problems.

It is relatively warm inside the Palace - the temperature hovers around 0˚C, which makes a pleasant contrast to the subzero temperatures and wind chill outside (it was -18˚C when we visited).

The sense of being inside a glacier is quite indescribable: a heady combination of dynamism and serenity. Quite simply one of the most beautiful places that we have ever had the privilege of visiting.

2 more images

(work in progress)
At 3,250m, the Gefrorene-Wand viewpoint is the highest publically accessible point in the Hintertux region and provides stunning vistas over the Austrian Tyrol and into the Dolomites of Italy.

To get to this point from Hintertux involves three ski lifts, so make sure that your planning allows enough time for this. In bad weather, this ski lift is closed, to make sure you check it's operating before you set off, and also factor in the cost of the ski lift into your budgeting as it's quite hefty. We paid about €40 each in December 2010, but prices vary between summer and winter, and also depend of the time of days, so follow this link for more detailed information.

From the Gefrorene-Wand viewpoint, it's just a short walk (about 200m) to the entrance to the Ice Palace: if you've booked on a tour, then the guide will come and collect you at the cable car station.

2 more images

The Spannagel Caves are the highest caves in Europe that are open to the public and were opened in 1994. The entrance is located below the Spannagelhaus on the Hintertux Glacier, a short walk from the top of the second cable car (Tuxer Fernerhaus) which is at 2660 metres. From there, it’s a short walk (approximately 5 mins) to the Spannagelhaus (which also hosts a restaurant).

The cave is considered to be one of the most important cave in Tyrol and presents above all an insight into the high alpine karstification ('limestone cave development' to the uninitiated) of the glacier regions. About 5km of cave system have been identified, but guided tours only allow access to a smaller section.

It is an interesting thing to do, and going across the suspension bridge and examining the potholes caused by the abrasion of entrapped boulders (which I managed to convince my gullible Small Son were 'dragon eggs') is fun. However, it doesn't hold a candle to the awe-inspiring Ice Palace, so if you intend to do both, my recommendation is to do this first, otherwise you may be disappointed. Please note that this isn't a negative reflection on these caves, but rather an endorsement of how spectacular the Ice Palace is, and these caves have the virtue of being accessible to children would wouldn't be allowed to visit the Ice Palace.

Protective clothing (in the form of waterproofs and hard hats) are provided.

1 more image

This is the nice 24 person bicable gondola that takes you from Sommersberg Restaurant at 2100m to Tuxer Fernerhouse at 2660m and then from there to the top of the glacier at 2660m. During our holiday most of the time we were 2-5 people in the gondola, so it was very refreshing not to be crowded. In the second picture see the nice mechanics of the gondola (Doppelmayr did a nice thing with the cable transport systems).

2 more images

Some 20km down on the road from Hintertux there is the city of Mayrhofen, the largest city in the area. It is not really big, but its central streets are glittering and shopping in Mayrhofen is one preferred activity of winter tourists. Mainly shops with ski equipment, but also with souvenirs or fine food. On the cons side, too little restaurants open late, too little parking spaces. But while in the Zillertal/Tux, be sure you pay a visit in Mayrhofen and stroll around. No pictures of actual Mayrhofen as it was late and night outside, but I couldn't resist taking a picture or two (well more than two) of a big cat that was very decided to go somewhere and did not stop for a picture :)

1 more image

Here's a useful tip for people getting in Austria at winter: Be sure you have winter tyres on every four wheels of your car. And also have ready the box of snow chains in the trunk. It was a heavy snow also on the highway, and in Tux, while climbimg from 600m to 1400m snow chains were recommended. I had mine in the trunk :)

4 more images

The Austrian Alps are very impressive during winter time. And here is a good place to admire and take photo shots. I was not very well prepared, I did turned on the manual white balance, but still pictures of snow are pretty difficult to take especially with a digital camera. Check out some of my best pictures with the snowy Alps.

1 more image

Of course one of the best things in Austria, as also in Belgium, Holland, Deutschland, or even Italy, is the local brewed beer. This is called Zillertaler Beer, it is a clear beer. A white non-filtered beer is the Heffe Weizenbier (see the second picture).