Finkau to the Zittauer Hütte

On your way to the high alpine Zittauer Hütte, you hike through the fabulously beautiful Wildgerlostal - the westernmost in the Hohe Tauern National Park. Rushing water masses, a turquoise gorge and spectacular alpine panoramas await you here. The five-and-a-half-hour tour starts right next to the small reservoir at the Alpengasthof Finkau. There is also a paid parking lot here. You can only get there by car or taxi. The almost 14-kilometer hike is a little more demanding in terms of fitness, but technically it is definitely manageable. You need to make sure you are sure-footed, which is why you should definitely wear sturdy shoes.

Your hike begins at the Alpengasthof Finkau, where the Wildgerlostal flows into the Durlaßboden. After a few hundred meters in the shady forest of the Zillertal Alps, you will already hear a promising rushing sound. A truly impressive natural spectacle awaits you. The path leads you through the Leitenkammerklamm. The wild Gerlosbach has washed its way unbridled into the rock here over thousands of years. You hike past roaring streams and lush vegetation through the gorge that has grown over thousands of years.

At the foot of the Reichenspitz group, the path takes you further through the bottom of the Wildgerlostal past the rustic Trisslalm. While the floor of the trough valley along the Gerlos is characterized by herbaceous meadows, the slopes are framed by stone pines. The landscape changes with every meter of altitude you climb. You hike more and more through open, rocky terrain. When you reach the end of the valley, it becomes much steeper. While the Wildgerlos plunges into the valley next to you, the path leads you up the rocks via stone steps secured with ropes.

After you have mastered this last challenge, the Zittauer Hütte awaits you at an altitude of 2,328 meters, which blends into the mountain panorama on the beautiful lower Gerlossee. With cool drinks, hearty specialties and a great atmosphere, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the lake and the surrounding mountains. Even though it is difficult to leave this fantastic place, you should make your way back at some point. This will take you back to the starting point of the tour on the same route and will give you some great views of the valley.