The Schlegeis reservoir, starting point for several walks
| Start | Schlegeis Reservoir (1805m) |
| Distance | 7km (one way) |
| Height gain | 470m |
| Grade | 2 |
| Time | 1¾–2hrs (+ 1½hrs return) |
| Location | At the head of the Zamser Tal southwest of Mayrhofen |
The Pfitscher Joch is a 2246m saddle on the Austro–Italian border at the head of the Zamsergrund, a charming valley of pasture, waterfalls and streams flanked by the Schramacher on the west and Hochsteller on the east. On the Italian side of the border a privately owned hut commands a fine view down the Pfitschertal, and makes a prime goal for a walk.
Either ride the local bus from Mayrhofen, or drive the length of the toll road to the Schlegeisspeicher (reservoir) where parking is available. The bus stop is by the Schlegeis Bergrestaurant, and the view along the reservoir to a glacial ribbon spreading from Hochfeiler to Grosser Möseler is truly impressive. But stretching to the southwest the Zamsergrund is even more enticing.
Make your way from the bus stop to the Zamsergrund’s entrance where you cross a bridge and bear right on a broad path to pass a small café/souvenir kiosk. Keeping left of the Zamserbach you soon gain a view of a waterfall crashing out of a cirque high on the opposite side of the valley. Easing through pastures adorned with alpenrose and dwarf pine, the path rises in a series of steps from one level to the next. A second waterfall is passed halfway upvalley before you climb again to see a small hut on a rise ahead. This is Lavitzalm (refreshments) and an alternative path offers a short diversion to it.
The Schlegeis reservoir, starting point for several walks
On the upvalley side of Lavitzalm cross one of the early tributaries of the Zamserbach on stepping stones, and continue across what appears to be the bed of a one-time glacial lake. Ahead the ridge dips between 3000m peaks, while the path rises once more over rocks to gain the saddle of the Pfitscher Joch (2246m) where a stone marker indicates the international border. Ignore the building on the right (an old customs house) and continue ahead on a road between small tarns, to reach the Pfitscher-Joch-Haus shortly after.
Also known as Rifugio Passo di Vizze, the Pfitscher-Joch-Haus (2275m) is manned from late June until mid-October. With 30 beds it is in a good position to be useful as a base for climbs on Hochsteiler (3½hrs) and Schrammacher (4–5hrs), and for a 2½hr descent to Stein in the Pfitschertal (tel 0472 630119).