The Peter Habeler loop — an alpine trail around the Olperer

Spend seven days above 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) altitude following a high-altitude trail around the magnificent Olperer. At 3,476 meters (11,404 feet), it is the highest mountain in the Tux Alps. On beautiful, partly-challenging paths, you can admire the summit from all sides. The landscape reveals new, beautiful mountain views around every corner as you climb.

The path follows in the footsteps of Peter Habeler, a famous mountaineer from Zillertal. Habeler went down in alpine history when, together with Reinhold Messner, he climbed Mount Everest without an oxygen supply for the first time in 1978. The trail was opened to celebrate Habeler’s 70th birthday. Although Habeler has climbed peaks all over the world, he still considers the Olperer to be one of his favourites.

The Olperer lies on the Tux Ridge between the Zillertal, the Wipptal and South Tyrol. In total, you will cover a distance of 34 miles (55 km), climbing over 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) on the first day. All of the stages lead through Austrian soil except stage 6, which runs through Italy.

As this is a high-altitude trail, you should be experienced hiking on alpine terrain. Sure-footedness and a head for heights are also essential. Some of the narrow paths are partly exposed, but difficult sections have ropes.

The third stage is the longest. It leads you up to the Friesenberg Chart, which almost breaks the 3,000-meter (9842 feet) mark. On the other days you can take it easy as the routes usually take between three and four hours to walk.

Experienced mountain hikers can complete this Collection in less than seven days. For example, you can combine stages 4 and 5 and walk from Friesenberghaus directly to Pfitscherjochhaus. Stages 5 and 6 can also be easily combined.

Mid-June to September is the best time to hike this route, as there is usually no snow at high-altitudes then. However, keep an eye on the weather. The hut opening hours are a good way to structure the time on your hikes. Huts will also inform you whether the trails are passable.

At the end of each stage, a hut with food and beds is waiting for you. During the day you have to bring your own food as you won’t find huts to stop for lunch on any of the stages. Make sure you book your accommodation well in advance as the trails partly overlap with the Berlin trail and the crossing of the Alps from Munich to Venice. Places fill up especially fast for July and August.

Since the Peter Habeler Loop is a round trip, you can start from various points. The village Vals in a side valley of the Wipptal is a practical starting point. There is a free parking lot at the Nockeralmen and also a bus stop. You can take the train to St. Jodok am Brenner and take bus 4144 down into the valley from there to the Vals in Tirol Touristenrast (timetables at oebb.at). Alternatively, you can ascend from the South Tyrolean Pfitschtal to the Pfitscherjoch or start your hike in the Zillertal from the Schlegeisspeicher or Hintertux. You can climb over the Venntal to the Europahütte directly from the Brenner Pass.

Berlin High Trail: komoot.de/collection/44/the-berlin-high-trail-explore-the-zillertal-alps-in-8-stages

Traumpfad Munich–⁠Venice: komoot.de/collection/480/the-traumpfad-from-munich-to-venice