Ice Climbing in Tirol: 5 Regions from the Pitztal to the Zugspitz Arena

Easy routes, mixed routes or free-hanging ice pillars: five regions in Tirol where Ice Climbing is particularly rewarding.
Ice climber on an ice fall in the Pitztal valley
Ice climber on an ice fall in the Pitztal valley

Winter, but proper winter

If you want to really get a feel for the cold season, go climbing outdoors in winter – on ice, that is.

Whether it’s easy routes, mixed climbing or free-hanging bolts: Tirol has something to offer for every level. We’ll introduce you to five regions.

Are you just starting out? Then be sure to read ‘The 5 best areas for beginners to ice climbing in Tirol’.

Important: Ice conditions and avalanche risk are constantly changing – check the latest conditions before every trip. Find out more in ‘ice climbing: Avalanches – A Source of Danger’.

1. Pitztal

The Pitztal Valley offers the right challenge for beginners and professionals alike. Very experienced ice climbing enthusiasts can try their hand at mixed climbing on the‘Hexenbesen’ near Plangeroß. Beginners can take their first steps at the ‘Eiswelt Taschachschlucht’ near the glacier cable car – where mixed routes can also be tried out.

2. Ötztal

The Ötztal valley also boasts numerous ice climbing routes. This is where particularly persistent Ice Climbers will find what they’re looking for: at theAlzenlehnerfall in the inner Ötztal valley, the climb takes around four and a half hours. However, there are also shorter and easy routes for beginners, such as the Kühtaibacherl Falls in Ochsengarten.

Ice climber on the Kühtaibacherl-Fall in Ochsengarten

3. Sellraintal near Innsbruck

In the Innsbruck region, the Sellraintal valley is a paradise for those looking to let off steam: short access routes and icefalls with a distance of up to 160 metres.

One of the most popular is the Bafflfall: around 110 metres high, with short access and several routes.

At a glance – Bafflfall:

  • Difficulty: WI 2 to WI 5
  • Altitude: approx. 1,360 m
  • Height: approx. 110 m

We showcase further ice falls in the Sellraintal valley in ‘5 Ice Falls in Tirol: ice climbing in the Sellraintal and Ötztal Valleys’.

Ice climber on the Bafflfall in the Sellrain valley

4. Kaunertal in the Tiroler Oberland

ice climbing in theTiroler Oberland is, above all, one thing: spectacular. Thanks to its high altitude, the Kaunertal in particular offers excellent conditions. Experienced climbers can try their hand at free-hanging icicles, for example on the ‘Angst vor Lust’ route, or tackle the approximately 220-metre-long icefall on the ‘Steinbruch’ route.

Ice climber on the Seebensee ice fall

5. Tiroler Zugspitz Arena

Whether it’s mixed climbing or pure ice climbing – the Tiroler Zugspitz Arena offers both.

  • Seebensee Icefall: around 230 metres in distance, with overhangs, tubular ice and ice mushrooms – for experienced and determined ice climbing enthusiasts.
  • Häselgöhr Icefall: has a distance of around 45 metres and is just a ten-minute walk away – ideal for beginners.
Ice climber on the Häselgöhr ice fall

The icefalls featured in this article

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