Mittelberg - Braunschweiger Hut

This interesting tour starts at Mittelberg (1,700 m above sea level), which is basically just a few cottages at the beginning of the Pitztal valley. Fortunately, there are several parking lots. The largest is at the so-called Pitztaler Express. However, the most practical place to stop is at the stop sign on the main road. From here, a rocky slope smoothed by the original glacier through which this hike leads can be seen on the horizon.

The first two kilometers of the road lead along a comfortable road by passable cars to the Gletscherstübele cottage (1,895 m above sea level), from where a cable car leads to the Braunschweiger Hütte mountain cottage – the destination of this photo report. Basically, this first short part of the tour is in itself an interesting walk for a family with small children or pensioners. The horizon is dominated by Linker Fernerkogel (3,277 m above sea level). Slightly indistinct peak on the left is Karleskopf (2,902 m above sea level), on which you can easily climb from the cottage Braunschwaiger hütte.

From the cottage Gletscherstübele there is a nice view of the waterfall – the first real attraction on this route and the final destination for hikers.

From the Gletscherstübele you can go up two paths – a little longer, but much more interesting is along the waterfall, so go for it. From the beginning, it is quite a nice view back through the valley to the route you have taken so far.

Like any glacial river, the Pitze has the greatest flow late in the afternoon on a nice sunny summer day. So it is also the wildest waterfall at the moment. If you just want to take a short walk to the waterfall and back, be sure to leave it for a while and in the morning, for example, take a trip to Lake Rifflesee a little further.

More than one hundred and fifty meters above sea level will be waiting for you along the wild river falling behind a deafening roar on huge steps until you reach a relatively flat place overlooking another gorge and the tip of the Mittelberg glacier, which feeds this waterfall.

Now you have five hundred meters high in the zigzags in the direction of Braunschweiger Hütte. From the viewpoint there is a beautiful view of the Pitztal valley. You can see Mittelberg, where this hike began and the following comfortable path under the waterfall. Lake Rifflesee is still a bit hidden. From the mountains, Rostizkogel (3,394 m above sea level) is interesting from the far left, then Seekogel (3,357 m above sea level), the impressive Watzespitze (3,532 m above sea level), Verpeilspitze (3,423 m above sea level) and Rofelwand (3,354 m above sea level) are interesting from the far right.

The uninterrupted view of the Braunschweiger Hütte will be accompanied by a constant view of the Mittelberg Glacier.

Only from the Braunschwaiger hut (2,758 m above sea level) standing on a flat hill above the glacier is the real amazing alpine view. Behind the Mittelberg Glacier, the white peak of the Wildspitze (3,774 m above sea level) – the highest mountain in Tyrol – rises on the horizon. Closer is the lookout peak Hinterer Brunnenkogel (3,438 m above sea level) to which the cable car leads.

You can enjoy the glacier arena beautifully just above the cottage. You can continue, for example, to Karleskopf or Polleskogel or return the same way.