This reservoir is probably one of the most famous in all of Tyrol, if not in all of Austria. Even if the reservoir doesn’t tell you anything, you certainly know the photos with a view of the reservoir that are taken from the Olpererhütte or the even more famous suspension bridge.
We also want to visit the reservoir and start from Mayrhofen. The way leads over a toll road, for which a whopping 14 € have to be paid for. Incidentally, you have to expect a waiting time at the toll station if there is oncoming traffic coming from the other direction. The road is mostly single-lane. We have to wait 8 minutes to be let through. Finally we arrive at the parking lot opposite the Zamsereck around 9:00 am. The “Schlegeis reservoir car park” is easy to find on Google Maps. In the morning the seats are mostly empty if you come early enough.
The hike to the Olpererhütte begins right at this sign. By the way, we have our one-year-old son with us with the baby carrier on his back. The path initially leads uphill through a forest over serpentines. Since it has rained again and again in the last few days, the path is wet, sometimes small waterfalls and streams cross the path. But you can still easily bypass it or jump over it.
As you get higher, you always have a wonderful view of the reservoir. From the forest we continue on a stony path. Surefootedness is required and hiking shoes are strongly recommended! (We keep seeing Instagram posers with sandals and ankle-high sports shoes on the way)
It is never dangerous or exposed, but the switchbacks are exhausting. The path continues this way right up to the Olperer Hütte. After about 1 hour 45 minutes we arrive at the hut rather sweaty – after all we still had to carry the little one. In addition, you are permanently exposed to the sun after the forest. A cap can definitely help in summer.
The famous bridge is a little further, about 3 minutes behind the hut up the mountain. When we arrived there were only a few people here, but we still have to queue for a photo. Nevertheless, we are already getting into position, there is even time for a short drone flight. However, since the next one is already waiting, you have to hurry. Nothing is relaxing here.
But I am not really satisfied with the results and so I would like to go to the bridge again to take a few nicer photos. However, I have to give up my plan after a few meters. From a distance I can see that at least 15 people are waiting by the bridge to take position …
I turn around and am satisfied with what we have. Not the very best photo, but a very nice memory.
We start with the descent, which is not much shorter than the ascent. The reason for this is the considerable traffic. More and more people are coming up the path, so we have to dodge to let them pass. We don’t even want to imagine what the bridge looks like in the meantime. We have heard from others that 40-50 people que at peak times. On the way down, at least the sun comes out nicely.
Exhausted, we arrive back at the parking lot around 2 p.m. You can find more information about the reservoir and other beautiful reservoirs in the Zillertal here.
