A scenic summer in the Stubai Valley

Last updated on 09.04.2018

From a wonderful overview of nature to exciting insights into nature.

It’s clear that the best view is from the top, but the fact that there are at least as many beautiful views and unique aspects of the mountain landscape on the way up is demonstrated by the destinations of the Stubai Valley in summer. They are revealed on a trip on the Stubai Glacier into the eternal ice, on hikes in the shade of the trees in the Schlick 2000, on family trips to the Serlesbahnen, on exciting days on the Elfer, in the discovery of scenic nature sites or during tours on the WildWasserWeg.

During holidays in the mountains, many people like to combine challenging summit tours and hikes with stunning views with delicious hearty snacks as a reward. Stubai Valley with its Seven Summits, the Stubaier High Trail and the leisurely gourmet hikes with its culinary facilities definitely offers all that, but don’t forget to pay close attention to all the details too.

Look into the eternal ice at 3,000 m
The modern 3S Eisgratbahn takes you directly from the car park up into the lofty heights. Genuine leather seats, 360-degree panoramic windows and free Wi-Fi make the trip to the glacier a real all-round experience. The 3S Eisgratbahn, with its cabin designed by Pininfarina, brings visitors to 2,900 metres above sea level in just 12 minutes, you can then travel higher with the Schaufeljochbahn to 3,165 metres above sea level. Just a few minutes’ walk from the mountain station, the summit platform TOP OF TYROL towers at 3,210 metres. The panorama sweeps over 109 3,000m peaks and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains of the Stubai Alps as far as the Dolomites. It was voted one of the ten most spectacular viewing platforms in the world by GEO magazine.
Just a few metres away from Schaufeljoch station is Schaufeljoch Chapel, another beautiful viewing point for the Stubai Glacier, which as well as an atmospheric panoramic view, offers the perfect spot for contemplation and enjoyment of one’s own inner peace.
A tour through the eternal ice in the Stubai Glacier ice grotto is fascinatingly peaceful and almost mystical. It offers unique insights into the millennium-old glacier ice. The bluish shimmering walls reveal interesting glacier phenomena, which can be explored 30 metres below the ski slope at almost 3,000 metres altitude. Children will have great fun at the BIG Family Ice Rally, where there are tricky puzzles to solve around the glacier and BIG Family mascots to find.
In the summer, pleasant temperatures and bright sunshine provide the perfect setting for active trips and hikes around the glacier.

Views over and insights under the tree line in the Schlick 2000
There are also fantastic views in the hiking centre of Schlick 2000 in Fulpmes. From the Kreuzjoch mountain station at 2,136 meters, excellent, mostly accessible, hiking trails wind through the Dolomites of North Tyrol, often known as the Kalkkögel. The first stop on the mountain should be the viewing platform “StubaiBlick“. This legendary spot offers a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains. On three dates in August, it is also host to sunset trips.
Hikers can then follow the alpine plant learning path, the nature trail, the new, sensory adventure trail or the fast-paced disc trail, where you chase a wooden disc to the Froneben Intermediate Station and discover the latest highlight of the Stubai family summer – the Stubai tree house trail (“Stubai Baumhausweg”).
On this approximately one-hour, pushchair-friendly hiking trail to the Almgasthof Vergör, there are treehouses for children and families to discover. Exciting treehouses and amazing play stations invite you to discover, play and rest between the ground and the treetops. In the summer of 2018, adventurous visitors can embark on an adventurous treasure hunt in seven different houses.

Family joy at the Serlesbahnen
The view at Serlesbahnen in Mieders is limited only by the mountains on the horizon. Serlespark with its emerald-green shimmering main pool and three other pools is the ideal relaxation experience for the whole family, almost reminiscent of a natural infinity pool. Kids can enjoy themselves in the shallow valley of the Serles Waters, a water play area with flumes and a white-water way for playing and keeping active. Meanwhile, parents can relax, while keeping the kids in view, at the quiet oases of Serlesseen, where they enjoy views of the surrounding mountain panorama of the Serles, the Kalkkögel and the Nordkette. A huge sandpit and a raft with an entry and exit point ensure hours of summer fun. In addition, in 2018 an activity trail will expand the range of services on offer.
Right next to the Serlespark is the Serles train station, which runs several times daily from the mountain station to the Maria Waldrast Monastery and back. From here, the three observation stations of Koppeneck, Karwendelblick and Serlesblick can be easily explored.

Activity and relaxation on the Elfer
The home mountain of Neustift, the Elfer, is also known as the balcony of the Stubai Valley. Anyone who has ever stood on the back of this mountain will be able to confirm the aptness of its name. To the left, visitors can see the flanks of the Kalkkögel, on the right the walls of the Serles ridge and straight ahead the view extends to the Inntal and the Nordkette. This is the view you are rewarded with when you stand on the largest walk-on sundial of the Alpine region, which is perched on the Elfer.
In summer, the mountain offers both action-packed activities and relaxing moments. Paragliders and hang gliders have been making the pilgrimage to its slopes for decades, before rising to seemingly endless heights. With two single tracks for downhill bikers, there’s plenty to attract adrenaline junkies and climbing fans can enjoy the rugged Elfer massif.
Hikers and families with children will also find plenty to enjoy on the Elfer. Enjoy the playground near the Elfer panoramic restaurant, feel like you’re flying on the paraglider-swing or combine walks on the walking-time trails with wonderful excursions to the pastures of the Pinnistal.

Quiet nature and roaring whitewater
There you can also discover the newest scenic nature site in the valley, the “split stone“. The Stubai scenic nature sites are starting points for those who enjoy a bit of tranquillity and want to combine this with fantastic views of the natural landscape. They are well spread out over various parts of the valley and invite you to linger and dream. Every single natural site has been artistically created and adapted to the landscape. There will be ten of these special places to be visited and collect in summer 2018.
The WildeWasserWeg, a true marvel of nature, is open to visitors, impressively demonstrating the elemental forces of cascading water over three stages. Beautiful stops along the way include a breath-taking canyon called “Ruetz Katarakt”, the Grawa Waterfall – the widest waterfall in the Eastern Alps with a health-promoting effect – or the bridge on the “Langetal-Bach” on which the incessant spray of the water is unavoidable.
As of this summer, a newly created stretch of road will also connect the Mutterberger Klamm, located next to the valley station of the Gamsgartenbahn, with the WildeWasserWeg to round off the WildeWasser experience of the Stubai Valley.