Olpererhütte Hike, Bridge and Schlegeis: The Ultimate Guide

I’ve lived in Austria for 3 and a half years now, and the Olpererhütte hike has been my favourite experience I’ve had here so far. The view is unmatched, overlooking the clear blue Schlegeis Reservoir surrounded by the snowcapped Alps.

Olpererhütte is a ski hut located at the top of one of the mountains surrounding the Schlegeis Reservoir, which is where the hike begins. The Schlegeis Reservoir is considered to be one of Austria’s most famous, and definitely one of its most beautiful dams.

Not only is it one of my favourites, but Instagram has also really taken a liking to this destination. If you’ve seen crazy photos and videos of people on (or sometimes hanging from) a suspension bridge high above a beautiful blue lake, chances are, it’s here. Don’t worry, the bridge is not actually that high up – there is solid ground just a few metres below it, so it is completely safe.

Continue reading my in-depth guide for handy tips to make your own trip as memorable as possible.

How to Get There

Since the hike to Olpererhütte starts at the Schlegeis Reservoir, you should find transportation only to this point. The best place to travel from is Mayrhofen, which is also the perfect place to stay for this trip. If you’re going for a day trip though, you might be coming from Innsbruck. I would recommend getting started as early as possible, to make the most of your day, as well as to avoid the crowds.

By Public Transport

From Innsbruck: Starting your day as early as 5:30, make your way to the train station. Take a train to Jenbach, then the connecting local ‘Zillertalbahn’ to Mayrhofen (it’s one of those adorable, old-timey trains). You can check the train schedule and buy your tickets on the official website or at one of the ticket machines at the Innsbruck train station. The ticket for the Zillertalbahn can also be bought directly on the train from the conductor.

From Mayrhofen: From the Mayrhofen train station, take bus 4102, which will take you directly to Schlegeis Reservoir in about 50 minutes. The earliest bus leaves at 5:30. The absolute latest bus you should catch is the one at 12:35, to make sure that you have enough time for the hike and to enjoy the view without having the worry that you might miss the last bus at 18:10. The bus schedule is changed seasonally, so make sure to check the website for when you’re planning to go.

The bus ride will cost about 11€ (one-way, including toll costs), though you can buy a return ticket from the bus driver.

By Car

Alternatively, you can drive with your own car, which will take just over 30 minutes from Mayrhofen. This way, you can obviously be more flexible, and it might be better if you are traveling in a slightly bigger group.

To get to Schlegeis Reservoir, you will have to take the Schlegeis Alpine Road. On this road, you will come across some one-way tunnels (controlled by traffic lights). Depending on the traffic, wait times usually vary between 10-15 minutes.

Towards the end of your journey, there is a toll station. The toll cost is around 17€ per car, and will allow you entry for a day. You can pay an additional parking fee (but it is only necessary if you’re there for more than 1 day). Make sure you bring cash, because there are no card facilities at the toll station!

Depending on the month, the road opens at 6:00 (in July-August) or 7:00 (May-June, September-October). The 2024 season is from 17 May to 27 October, but this changes annually, so make sure to check the website for specific dates when planning your trip. Additionally, during the first and the last month (May and October), the weather can be unreliable, so double-check to make sure of times on specific days.

If you are visiting during high season (July-August), you may want to book toll tickets online ahead of time. On overly busy days, the road may become blocked, and at a certain point, no more cars will be allowed to cross to the dam. But, if you book online, you’ll be guaranteed a spot.

Caravans, mobile homes, and mini buses are no longer allowed past the toll station! If you are traveling with one of these, you’ll have to take the bus.

What To Bring Along

As with any hike, it’s important to be well-equipped before starting your adventure. Some non-negotiables are:

• Sunscreen: You’ll be outside all day, so make sure to reapply every couple of hours.
• Water (in a reusable bottle): If you run out of water, don’t worry! You can fill your bottle up at one of the streams on the mountain – it’s completely safe to drink.
• Jacket: Even if you undertake this hike on a scorching hot day, bring a light jacket (preferably a waterproof one) because even during summer, it can get quite cold at the higher points of the mountain.
• Snacks: Bring some healthy snacks to help you fuel your hike, even if you plan on having lunch at the Olpererhütte.
• Sturdy shoes: The hike to Olpererhütte is very rocky, so having good shoes will help prevent injuries.

When Is The Best Time to Go?

Since the road only opens seasonally, you can visit from May to October. Check the website for specific dates. The majority of tourists go here during summer (high season: July-August), but if you want to avoid the crowds, I would highly recommend going during the shoulder seasons.

We went during spring, but since there hadn’t been a lot of rain yet, the dam was relatively empty, so the view wasn’t as epic as it probably could’ve been. We also encountered snow on the trail, and both my partner and I slipped and fell (though it didn’t hurt and was actually funny). If you do go during May or June, it might be a good idea to bring trekking poles. So, fall will probably be a better time to visit (September to October).

Of course, the summer months will ensure better weather conditions. There will be a much lower chance of mist, which will cloud visibility. During this time, there are guaranteed to be more people though, so pick your poison.

How Long Does The Hike Take?

The time you’ll take to make it to the top varies depending on which trail you take. If you take the shortest (most popular) trail, it takes about 1,5 hours. If you want to have a more relaxed hike or are hiking with children, it will probably take 15-30 extra minutes.

You can also take one of the other 3 hiking trails, depending on how long you want to hike to Olpererhütte. The other trails take between 3,5 and 6 hours. The different trails are written on signs at the bottom (with approximate hiking times). If you want to take one of the longer trails, you can stay at the Olpererhütte overnight.

Things to do at the Schlegeis Reservoir

Not only is the view from the top of the mountain beautiful, but so is the dam. If you start your day early enough, I would highly recommend spending some time around Schlegeis Reservoir.

There are two restaurants, and additionally, lots of activities offered around the dam:

• The Flying Fox is a zip line over the dam, which you can combine with abseiling.
• The Giant Swing offers a free fall of 31 metres, so it is perfect for adrenaline junkies.
• The Via Ferrata involves climbing right on the dam wall. They have options for beginners, children, and more experienced climbers.

For more information, including prices, and to book tickets for any of the activities, visit the official website.

What to Expect At the Top

Once you’ve made your way up to the hut, take a few minutes to admire the view. After this, you can head up to the world-famous suspension bridge to take some epic photographs.

The walk from the hut to the bridge takes you a bit further uphill for about 5 minutes. If you’re visiting during summer, count on the fact that there will probably be a long line of people waiting to take pictures. If you get here early enough, you might avoid most of the crowds, but around lunchtime you might have to wait quite long for a chance.

IMPORTANT! Bring enough cash with you. Card payments are not possible at the hut.

The Olpererhütte has a restaurant where you can try traditional Austrian dishes. Some of my favourites include Schnitzel, Knödel, and Kaiserschmarrn. This is the perfect lunch spot after your hike.

Where To Stay

Innsbruck

From Innsbruck, you can plan a full day trip to the Olpererhütte. As the capital city of Tyrol, Innsbruck has the most variety when it comes to accommodation. Here, you will probably find the cheapest options, but you’ll have to start your day pretty early to make the most of it. Innsbruck itself also has lots of things to do, so it’s great if you’re headed there to do some sightseeing.

Here are some good options:

• Budget: Hotel Garni Römerhof (47€/night) or Meininger Hotel Innsbruck (66€/night)
• Mid-range: Altstadthotel Weißes Kreuz (215€/night) or Hotel Schwarzer Adler (143€/night)
• Luxury: Hotel Das Innsbruck (352€/night)

Mayrhofen

In my opinion, Mayrhofen is the best place to stay. Mayrhofen is a small town situated in the Zillertal (an Alpine valley). It is the perfect weekend trip to get away from the buzz of the big city. The landscape is drop-dead gorgeous – it’s what I always pictured when I imagined Austria in summer. It reminds me of the rolling hills in The Sound of Music. Take the opportunity to stay in a traditional Austrian guest house.

Some of the best options include:

• Hotel Gasthof Brücke (125€/night) or Hotel Gasthof Stoanerhof (122€/night)
• Luxury: Zillergrund Rock Luxury Mountain Resort (333€/night)

Olpererhütte

There is also the option of staying directly at the hut. If you are a backpacker or an avid hiker, consider taking one of the longer trails up to the hut and spending the night at the Olpererhütte. The hut offers rooms and camping space for relatively cheap. For either option you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillowcase, towel, and toiletries. You’ll also have to bring a plastic bag for your trash and take it back down the next day.

For the exact prices, more information, and to book a room or campsite, visit the official website of the Olpererhütte.

This is one of my favourite hikes I’ve ever done. Not only is it amazing at the top, but you’ll also find some of the most beautiful views of the Alps all along the trail. Hopefully, this guide proves to be useful in making the most of your trip to the Schlegeis Reservoir and your hike to Olpererhütte.