You want an adrenaline kick? The Zillertaler Höhenstrasse is guaranteed to make your heart beat faster. It is so impressive that you can get busy here for a whole day.
For me personally, even a whole day was too little. Whether biking, hiking, Zillertal delicacies tasting, playing, picnics or exploring countless excursion destinations - there is guaranteed for every family member. A great combination of sport, play, enjoyment, nature and magnificent panoramas.
Mountain experience warranty - Zillertaler Höhenstraße
After our highs and lows, lows and highs, back and forth in search of many answers, I landed together with Mr. Bag in the Zillertal, Fügen in the apartment Schweiberer. After so many turbulent days and different impressions from our therapist training, we decided to finally spend a normal Sunday. This does not mean being behind the PC or in the car learning, but "going to the door". In glorious, autumnal weather to experience nature. Only the wind, the sun, the rock, us and the Zillertaler Höhenstraße. This time we have chosen the convenient way by car to the heights, mainly for reasons of time ( Lucinas Life should finally go online). After all, we are not there to go on holiday, but to finish this project so that we can finally start it.
Well, I think car and high road are also the magic words for anyone who can't or doesn't want to walk to the most tempting destinations in the mountains with the mountain boots, but still wants to experience the landscape of wildromantic rocky mountains, emerald-green mountain streams and a magnificent panorama in healthy mountain air with a breathtaking finale, namely an indescribable view over the Zillertal mountains. But what am I talking about, just come along on the journey that combines the old and the new in a respectful way. Get out of the hectic city, into the full concentration on driving fun and a sense of freedom.
The history of Zillertaler Höhenstraße
Already on the evening of the arrival, a brochure from the Zillertaler Höhenstraße laughs at me in the apartment Schweiberer (I didn't really know that I would actually drive it the next day). I am a type of person who is interested in everything, so I informed myself in the pospect, later also on the Internet, about the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse. Here are some key facts about the history of the high-altitude road:
The Zillertaler Höhenstrasse is certainly one of the most beautiful Alpine roads in Austria.
Originally, the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse was built for the management of the alpine pastures, for avalanche protection work and for the construction of the torrent to prevent the numerous floods.
At the beginning of the 1960s, this road was a simple gravel road, which was only used for purpose. But the Zillertaler quickly realized the potential of this panoramic high-altitude road. Today, this is a popular excursion destination, which should not be ignored during a visit to Zillertal.
At over 2100 metres above sea level, already above the tree line, fascinating views over the Zillertal to the Tux prealps await you. The length of the route is about 20 kilometers high on the mountain and several mountain inns are suitable as comfortable resting places.
Be within reach of the sun
After our late, but all the more cozy breakfast we start. There are 5 ups and downs: in Ried, Kaltenbach, Aschau, Zellben and Hippach. We take the driveway in Ried. We couldn't have chosen a better day for our excursion. Or maybe, because on a Sunday there are more people on the way than during the week. Although we are still lucky, as I can imagine that in midsummer the Zillertaller Höhenstraße is much busier than now in late autumn. I haven't even arrived at the toll booth, fascinated by the colourful landscape and the huge views. At every corner I beg Mr.Bag to stop and take a short walk to completely absorb these natural beauties and of course to be able to hold them. 
When I am in such a place as the Zillertaler Höhenstraße, I worry a lot.... For all of us, good transport links, including here in the Alps, are an absolute matter of course. Almost none of the modern Alpine road riders wonders how the travellers of past centuries would have felt when the path was even narrower and steeper. Nobody thinks back like it was less than 60 years ago. 
Such a place, such a street, always has a history and it often pays to turn around and think - to make ourselves aware of what a luxury we are allowed to live in. Where people used to work as farmers with their carriage companions or even on foot on perhaps first no road at all and later on a gravel road, today we roll on our faithful companions, with 2 or 4 wheels, on a grey ribbon made of good asphalt.
Instead of simply being grateful and appreciating that we can enjoy this "luxury mountain highway" even from the car from the summit view, without trembling from constant threat of rockfall, avalanches or white water, we often just complain and always find something to suspend: the road is too narrow, it often has no edge limit, guardrails or help against falling, one must not suffer from fear of heights , you have to be ready for oncoming traffic, to dodge and then you may even have to go backwards to the next dodge, it is too steep, too narrow and what else do I know. People halloooooo. It may be that it is extensive, but only the feeling, the momentum to be able to drive this great road and to see the breathtaking mountain panoramas, to be so close to the mountain peaks, to be able to reach the alpine pastures practically without effort - there are the other things only whining at a very high level. Or don't you mean?
Allowed to ride the alps
Whatever it may be, Mr.Bag and I enjoy being able to ride in the Alps. It is fascinating and extraordinary for us to be able to drive these curves behind which each time a more impressive mountain scenery is revealed from unique angles..
When we get out of the car in the Hochzillertal near the Platzlalm at 1790m, we feel how crystal clear the air is. You can also see that autumn is taking great strides in the mountains. The days are not so oppressively hot in autumn, but the sun here in the mountains, compared to the valley, still has summer radiance.
Refuel energy
I admire the rich autumncolours and the natural spectacles. Due to the clear air and the weather conditions we have the best visibility conditions. The view seems to be infinitely wide. My gaze wanders from Bergkipfel to Bergipfel. I would like to explore everything immediately. But today it is only enough for several small hikes. Quite subconsciously, we notice during our walk how we recharge our batteries here and fill up our sun storage on this wonderful sunny day. We walk past several nice picnic opportunities and I regret not having a snack with.
The places to rest
rom the wooden platform we watch the hustle and bustle of the well-heeled people with and in the alpine pastures. It strikes us that every alpine pasture and jausenstation has a well-managed game place. Special mention should be made of the Almgasthaus Zirmstadl by the Wegscheider family. From cosy seating limpers to bouncy castles to go-karts, everything can be found here.
Up here above the Zillertal roofs it is wonderful, not so crowded with crowds of tourists - that is what I and Mr.Bag particularly appreciate. From time to time we also watch the proud owners of a Masaratti or Ferrari present their treasures with great acoustic sound. But not only great cars can be seen, also groups of concentrated motto cyclists or funny cyclists and well-heeled hikers can be met here.
With this fresh mountain air, the beauty that surrounds us and so many indescribable impressions, we have been hungry. Here in Kaltenbach we are somehow too busy in the inns, so we decide to continue on a short hand. There is also so much to uncover. And thanks to me, we have already spent a lot of time on this beautiful day. Everywhere I want to stay standing and take short walks.
As beautiful as autumn may be here on the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse, you can clearly see that the days have already become much shorter than in summer. That's why it goes on for us, even if it's hard to pass by the tempting scents of the Jausenstations. A few views still towards the valley, a few photos and then the car door opens and the exciting journey continues.
It doesn't take long and I discover the next beauty - the reservoir Mizun. From here you can start beautiful hikes to the Wimbachkopf or Marchkopf.
On the way you can also pass the Crystal Hut or Wedlhütte. I just find it sad that the Reservoir is actually only for the snowmaking plant. On the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse we met many mountain and lift stations. These are super hypermodern and somehow do not fit into the idyllic and wild romantic landscape, but this is also the only downside on this wonderful excursion.
Hiking, climbing and experience
It really is a wonderful hiking area. Here everyone finds the right hiking tour, I am more than convinced of this. I still have a lot to do but for the time being comes the setup of my new website. However, those who now take the time to hike in autumn will be rewarded with a fairytale natural backdrop, because the trees are currently shining in the most beautiful colours. The Zillertal is a diverse hiking paradise. For days and weeks I could wander here crisscrossing and quver and again and again there would be something new for me to discover. The world already has a lot to offer. You just have to move around to experience the offer.
The lush green grass carpets of the gentle ridges, where we move past on our route are also worth mentioning. I am fascinated by their colour, so that I feel like i am in a magic forest on the spot. Spectacular this mountain world. Everywhere I found wildromantic, small wooden huts in the middle of the hillside of the meadows. How much I would like to spend a year on such a hut, far away from the stressed civilization, to write and share all my stories and experiences with you.
Relaxing and slowing down
Who knows, maybe a month later I write from such a hut. I am surprised at what life still holds for me. As I philosophize about this topic, we suddenly end up at the Hirschbichlalm at 1840m above sea level. Here, too, we have a unique view down into the Zillertal between Zell am Ziller and Hippach as well as to the peaks of Rauhkofel (3,251 m), Brandberger Kolm (2,700 m), Ahornspitze (2,973 m), Filzenkogel (2,227 m) and the Großer Löffler (3,379 m).
The Hirschbichlalm looks like a cosy stopover. Unfortunately there is no more space on the sun terrace and so we are forced to continue. And I'm very glad we do it.
You're definitely wondering why I'm happy? Although the Hirschbichlalm of the Fankhauser family is known far beyond the borders of Tyrol for its hospitality, cosiness, good food and especially for making music of well-known Zillertal music groups and therefore also in almost every travel guide, we select the Almhaus Zellberg Stüberl, a few meters further away, as our strengthening loction. Here we dive into the taste world of the Zillertaler. You can read here how our strengthening for our soul and stomach looks on the alpine pasture and what we still discover and experience, in and around the Zellbergstüberl. Because what could be more beautiful than to be seduced by a tasty snack or a delicious capuccino in the middle of a wonderful scenery in the Zillertal. We love to enjoy the typical delicacies from the region on a sun terrace.
The evening begins
With so much cosiness and hospitality in the Zellberg Stüberl, we almost did not notice that the evening on the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse is slowly starting. But now we are still husting so that we can reach the Jausenstation Melchboden at 2020m above sea level and thus also the highest point of the high-altitude road at the beautiful evening light.
On the way there, we looked at something that forces me to just stay standing despite the haste. In the middle of the road at the edge of the road we see two lonely chairs and a blanket directly under a mountain cross. I can't help but ask Mr. Bag to stop again. I want to explore what the two chairs and the Deke have to do. That is why we are taking a short break. I didn't really figure out why the chairs and the ceiling were there, but I'm very happy that we've stopped. The sight from here into the valley enchanted me so much that I borrowed the ceiling and just stayed here in the cozy warm blanket for a while to marvel at the sight and the beauty. Although it seems to be really dark down in the valley, we are still really lucky up here to catch some last rays of sunshine. With every hour that it had become later, you can really notice the temperature differences here in the height.
After this new stopover we reach the highest point of the round trip, the Melchboden. From here, many hikers and mountaineers start their routes over the Zillertal summit world. A large parking lot in front of the alpine pasture gives enough space to park the car. 3 wonderful panoramic panels provide information about each mountain peak of the opposite Alpine trains and the alpine pasture itself provides the culinary balance to this unique panorama with Zillertaler Leckebissen.
With a fulfilled feeling that we really used the day and with a fabulous inner satisfaction to be able to experience all this, nowadays one would say completely chilled, we drive over numerous serpentines, past many alpine pastures, down the Schwendberg until we arrive in Hippach. From there we head along the valley floor again towards Fügen, to the starting point of our journey - the Apartment Schweiberer.
Even if the journey is a bit cumbersome for many lowlands, it is definitely worth taking a trip over the Zillertaler Höhenstrasse - not only because of the impressive view of the Zillertal mountains, but also because of the many different activities that are waiting for you here.
Now you just have to decide for yourself whether you would rather discover this dream route of the Alps by bike, the motto bike, the car or on foot in your own way! No matter how you move here, a trip is worth it, because you will be spoiled with a magnificent view and the typical Zillertal taste world.
