Through the highest-altitude tunnel in E
Highest altitude asphalt road in Austria leads from Pitze (1420 m asl) (first village above Sölden) up for Europe whopping 2,829 meters above sea level by Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers. In addition, these two glaciers are linked by the highest located road tunnel in Europe. Car park at the glaciers does not serve just for skiers, but also for hikers in the summer. Hikers have here several possibilities for the perfect trips. The most frequently walked path connects Ötztal valley with the neighboring Pitztal.
Rettenbachtal
From Pitz, this blind road leads through a forest, four serpentines and is almost without views to the toll booth (2,035 m above sea level). From here, the valley of the Rettenbach stream is nicely open and in the distance above the ski resort rises the Karleskogel (3,106 m above sea level).
Karleskogel (3106 m asl)
You can see the ski resort and lift leading to Rettenbachjoch (2990 m asl) to the south of Karleskogel (from here the tourists path falls down to the Braunschweiger hut). But most tourists prefer the path through the northern pass – Pitztaler Jöchl.
Car park at the top of the road
After four more bends and long traverse plain you come up to the ski resort. But the path does not end here. It continues even higher to the small car park (2802 m asl) directly at the remnants of the glacier. The signboard indicates here that you are on the highest located road in the Eastern Alps.
Path to Pitztale Jöchle
Directly from the car park you can see the entire ascent to the pass of Pitztal Jöchle (2996 m asl) and rocky mountain Polleskogel (3032 m asl). The path leads on the debris up the glacier and then traverses the slope up to the pass. Be careful about frequent stone falls during this walk.
Glacier Rettenbachferner
Except for the hike to Pitztaler Jöchle it is possible to walk along the glacier Rettenbachferner – but only with extreme caution!
Tourists on Glacier Rettenbachferner
Tourists admire the glacier and the stream, which made little bed in it.
Glacial river
The glacier under the river is beautifully blue.
At the Glacier Tiefenbach
Another attraction is passing through the uppermost tunnel in Europe to the second part of the ski resort at the Tiefenbach glacier. Its southern tube ends at a height of 2,829 meters above sea level.
Along the stream to the outlook point
Along the creek leads tourist trail to the lake Petznersee and further into the valley.
Mountains above Ventertal
You need to walk only a few meters from the ski resort and a beautiful view of dozens of peaks towering above the Vent´s valley opens. The road itself is the highest, but it does not belong to the most interesting ones. Much more interesting are the hiking trails leading from the road to even higher peaks.
Articles nearby
Article: Trip to the Ötztal ice arena
During your stay in Ötztal valley it is worth to set out for a day trip along the highest located asphalt road in Austria –… continue reading
Giga List: The highest road in the Alps
You will find Europe's highest roads in the Alpine countries, most of which are among the most beautiful. In addition to the… continue reading
Giga List: The most beautiful mountain road in Tyrol
Thanks to the fact that the southern border of Tyrol is the main alpine ridge, this Austrian federal state offers a lot of… continue reading