Kitzbuhel Alps Attractions
|
|
Top Tourist Attractions in Kitzbuhel Alps
Lying to the east of the Zillertal, the Kitzbühel Alps adjoin the Tux foothills; to the south they are separated from the Hohe Tauern by the Pinzgau, a valley of the River Salzach. They are the largest range of schist mountains in Austria, extending in a series of gently rounded ridges for some 100km/65mi, with treeless or sparsely wooded Alpine meadows sloping down from the summits into the numerous longitudinal and transverse valleys. This conformation has made the Kitzbühel Alps one of the largest and most popular skiing areas in Austria and indeed in Europe. Although the mountains are lower here than in other parts of the Alps there are numerous peaks affording superb far ranging views which attract many summer visitors.
Grosser Galtenberg and Salzachgeier
The highest summits and most strikingly formed massifs in the Kitzbühel Alps are to be found at the western end of the range, in the ridge which runs eastward from the Kreuzjoch (2,558m/8,393ft), near Gerlos, and round a desolate lake-filled hollow to the Torhelm (2,495m/8,186ft), and then bears northward by way of various lesser peaks to the Grosser Galtenberg (2,425m/7,956ft) near Alpbach, and in the Salzachgeier (2,470m/8,104ft).
Grosser Rettenstein
The most striking peak in the Kitzbühel Alps is the Grosser Rettenstein (2,363m/7,753ft), which can be climbed from the Oberland hut (2,041m/6,697ft) near Aschau. From its summit there is a fine ridge walk southward to the Wildkogel-Haus (2,007m/6,585ft).
Schmittenhöhe
Famous for its extensive panoramic views is the Schmittenhöhe (1,965m/6,447ft), in the southeast of the range, which can be reached by cableway from Zell am See. From there fit walkers can undertake the "Pinzgau walk" (Pinzgauer Spaziergang) westward to the Geissstein (2,363m/7,753ft), taking in 12 peaks and following the ridge above the southern side of the magnificent Saalbach skiing area.
| Highlights: |
|---|
Wildseeloder
A good viewpoint in the eastern Kitzbühel Alps is the Wildseeloder (2,117m/6,946ft), which can be reached from Fieberbrunn by way of the Wildseeloder-Haus on the little Wildsee.
