Glacier experience at Hintertux Glacier
The Hintertux Glacier in Zillertal enchants with a view from the panoramic terrace at 3,250 m on the surrounding three thousand meter peaks. Powder snow and natural snow guarantee from October to May as well as the 100% snow guarantee can be given here with a clear conscience.
However the Hintertux Glacier is not only a winter sport Eldorado for skiers and snowboarders, but also offers interesting treasures as a popular excursion destination in Tyrol:
The Nature's Ice Palace on the Hintertux Glacier is a unique natural gem in the world and an ideal year-round destination for the whole family. The entrance to the ice cave is only a 3 to 4 minute walk from the mountain station of Glacier Bus 3. Guided tours say “Please enter!” Into the wonderful world deep under the ski slope. Visitors explore a walkable crevasse with magical ice stalactites, huge sparkling ice crystals, frozen waterfalls and even a glacial lake.
The cave at the Spannagelhaus (Spannagelhöhle for short) is the largest marble (rock) cave in the Central Alps, is open all year round and can be explored on a guided tour. Learn from the cave guides everything there is to know about the history, the age, the hydrological watercourses, the cave climate and the animal life of this special cave and marvel at the marble layers, dripstones, crystals, erosion kettles and bone finds.
The panorama terrace on the Hintertux Glacier is located at an impressive 3,250 meters and is easily accessible for everyone. From the valley station in Hintertux, visitors can take the gondola lifts comfortably and barrier-free up to the fascinating Zillertal mountains. A trip to the glacier is therefore also possible with a stroller and wheelchair and is an unforgettable experience, especially for those visitors who rarely come to such great heights. Even the ascent with the glacier bus 3, the highest two-cable gondola in the world, will make your eyes big!
In the panorama format, a breathtaking view opens up from the Zugspitze over the Dolomites to the Großglockner. From this point you can also enjoy the best view of the Zillertal Alps nature reserve. Thanks to the provided Viscope telescopes with displayed information, you are always in the picture which peak or mountain range is being focused.
TIP: Photopoint in a unique surrounding. Download your pictures immediately!
The Glacier Bug Park at 3,250 m is probably the highest occasional adventure playground in Europe. In this fun-filled world of adventure in the eternal ice, it's a hive of activity when families and children try out great attractions such as the snow tire carousel, tubing track, baby lift and snow flea photo station with glacier bug Luis. The one or other fun snowball fight in the middle of summer may not be missing!
- Children under 10 years go free of charge to the Gletscherflohpark at 3.250m
- The ascent is barrier-free and also easily accessible with a stroller
- Open from the end of June until the end of September
On safari, ready, go! Around the Sommerberg hiking area, an exciting adventure course awaits the whole family on Luis' Glacier Bug Safari. On a journey of discovery with glacier bug Luis, young and old detectives are asked to solve tricky questions. Get your discovery card at the ticket office at the valley station in Hintertux, find the right solution word and win a great surprise to pick up at the ticket office in the Sommerberg restaurant!
In Luis' marble safari there are exciting ball tracks and a giant ball track tower to discover. Whether through the wave track, over the ringing chimes or through the narrow crevasse - with so many different options, boredom is guaranteed! At the long jump you can even compete with friends, siblings or parents and place bets on whose ball will make the longest jump. In addition to the three marble runs in the grounds, glacier flea Luis is waiting for the little explorers right at the entrance to Luis' marble safari in a marble run tower with loops, marble crane, climbing wall and much more.
The funny wooden balls, on which of course glacier bug Luis is immortalized, are available for € 2.00 in the ball machine and can of course be taken home as a souvenir.
Opening hours:Mid-June to end of September
Glaciers are and remain a very special kind of natural attraction. No matter what time of year you see, visit or walk on a glacier, you will always be impressed anew.
The phenomena of the glacier can be seen particularly well in summer. Climate change is taking its toll and causing all the Alpine glaciers to melt. What was the situation like this spring? Why does Saharan sand also play a major role on the glaciers? A nature park guide explains the clearly visible phenomena of the glacier: crevasses, moraines, glacial striations etc. and also takes you back to the Ice Age.
We observe the phenomena from the viewing platforms and take the glacier bus 3 to the highest point in the ski area.
- Dates: every Thursday from 06.06. - 26.09.2024
- Meeting point: with registration at 10.00 am and 12.00 pm | Tuxer Fernerhaus forecourt (allow approx. 30 minutes for the ascent)
- Duration: approx. 1 hour
- Number of participants: Maximum 12 | Registration absolutely necessary at www.myzillertal.at
- Character: very easy; no special hiking skills required; ideal for children aged 7 and over.
- Proper equipment: hiking boots, sun protection, jacket and hat!
- Contribution towards costs: Adults: € 15,-- Children: € 7,50 (7-14 years); free for guests of Nature Park partner businesses & Nature Park members!
- The panorama ticket "Fascination Ice" is required for the ascent with the mountain railroad.
- Refreshment stops: Tuxer Fernerhaus
- Getting to Hintertux: by public transport
- Further information: High Mountain Nature Park Zillertal Alps: +43/5286/52181;info@naturpark-zillertal.at, www.naturpark-zillertal.at
Special culinary experiences on the glacier
Enjoying brunch in the gondola and marveling at the breathtaking mountain panorama does not have to remain a dream! In the 10er Gefrorene Wand on the Hintertux glacier you can start a successful ski day with a richly set breakfast table.
Thanks to heated seats, a pleasant breakfast with a view is possible even in winter temperatures. Coffee, tea, orange juice, fresh pastries, a large selection of sausages and cheeses, various spreads, breakfast eggs, fresh fruit, muesli and yogurt can be enjoyed while gondolaing uphill and admiring the mountain scenery and the skiers from the gondola. Even a glass of sparkling wine is included in the breakfast package at the classic gondola breakfast.
For all those who prefer atraditional, hearty meal, there is the Bavarian version of the gondola breakfast: juicy veal sausages, crisp pretzels and a cool wheat beer will make the hearts of all lovers of Bavarian pub culture beat faster.
The Bavarian Gondola Breakfast is the ideal tip for a casual bachelor party or simply a cool start to a great day with friends on the Hintertux Glacier!
It is already a vacation experience of the quite special kind if one after a fulfilled morning on ski / in hiking boots or after the attendance of the nature ice palace then comfortably with its loved ones into the "Brettljausen gondola" climbs and with the "gondola" zünftig is served up: namely a hearty Zillertaler Brettljause and in the glacier ice cooled Zillertal beer in the midst of the unique glacier scenery.
Regional delicacies are served at the Brettl: The culinary variety ranges from A like Almaufstrich to Kaminwurzen, smoked bacon and ham.... to Z like Zillertaler cheese variations (hay milk cheese, Zillertaler gray cheese and mountain cheese...). In the bread basket you will find different kinds of pastries and of course the Zillertal farmhouse bread.
Beverage requests are fulfilled by the Zillertal Brewery: There is a choice of Zillertal beer, Zillertal Radler or "Midi's" premium lemonades in various flavors (apple, ginger or lemon).
And two things must not be missing, of course! The "Gletscher-Schnapsl", distilled by local and multiple award-winning schnapps distiller Hannes Dengg, and hearty Zillertal music - a colorful music potpourri is already ready to play!
Daily a gondola of the 10er Gefrorene Wand becomes the Brettljausen gondola, which you can reserve exclusively for yourself and your loved ones. We wish you already today "Bon appetite" and a unique, real hearty and typical Zillertal taste experience at over 2,660 m!
All you need on your shoulders - No matter if you would like to hike through the Weitental, see the waterfall of Schleier, hike a bit after the visit of the Spannagel Cave or any other activity around the Hintertux Glacier - you have everything you need for the best picnic of your live. The „Glacier-Picnic-Backpack“ contains the right gear: picnic blanket, tablecloth and seat cushions, snack board and pocket knife, hiking map and sunscreen and cutlery.
Fully packed with regional delicacies:
- Zillertal Heumilchkäse, spread and hard boiled eggs, smoked sausages and Tyrolean smoked ham, vegetable sticks and tomato-mozzarella-salad with balsamic dressing, Tux joghurt with fruits and crunches as well as homemade cake made to grandma's recipe
- Drinks: 0.75l ski water are always included, Every adult can choose between a bottle of Zillertal Beer, Zillertal Radler or Midis Lemonade as additional drink. Children can choose between ice tea peach and cocoa. Of course there is a Glacier-Schnaps for every adult in the backpack too. You simply make your choice of drinks when you pick up the backpack.
- In case you bring a dog: If you would like to bring your dog he is warmly welcomed. Please tick the according box in your order and we put a delicious treat for him into the backpack as well.
TIP: If you are planning the glacier picnic as a birthday surprise, for a marriage proposal or any other special occasion, then the Heart - Upgrade (a little bottle of chilled Prosecco, handmade chocolates,...) is just right for you.
Destination address for the tourist information:
A-6293 Tux, Lanersbach 401
Plan your route online:
Detailed information on how to get to Tux-Finkenberg by bus is available here.
The airports at Innsbruck, Salzburg and Munich are between 90 and 230 km from Tux-Finkenberg.
Here you can find the flight shedules of Innsbruck