The Gilfert is a peak in the

Tux Alps The Tux Alps () or Tux Prealps (''Tuxer Voralpen'') are a sub-group of the Austrian Central Alps, which in turn form part of the Eastern Alps within Central Europe. They are located entirely within the Austrian federal state of Tyrol. The Tux Al ...

. It is the most northerly extent of the Rastkogel Massif and can therefore be seen from almost anywhere in the

Lower Inn Valley The Lower Inn Valley () is that part of the Inntal valley through which the Inn river flows from a point a few kilometres west of Innsbruck near its confluence with the Melach downstream to a few kilometres before Rosenheim. A further distinctio ...

Location and countryside

The summit bears a large

cross A cross is a religious symbol consisting of two Intersection (set theory), intersecting Line (geometry), lines, usually perpendicular to each other. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally. A cross of oblique lines, in the shape of t ...

, as do the two northwesterly subpeaks ( Wetterkreuz) and the northeasterly Sonntagsköpfl (2,244 m). Hollowed out of its eastern flank is ''Das Kar'', a nearly three-quarters enclosed rock basin (''Felskessel''). It is drained by the Lamarkbach stream into the lower

Zillertal The Ziller Valley () is a valley in Tyrol (state), Tyrol, Austria that is drained by the Ziller River. It is the widest valley south of the Inn (river), Inn Valley () and lends its name to the Zillertal Alps, the strongly Glacier, glaciated sectio ...

valley. Although the massif of Gilfert-Rastkogel has a very distinctive

ridge A ridge is a long, narrow, elevated geomorphologic landform, structural feature, or a combination of both separated from the surrounding terrain by steep sides. The sides of a ridge slope away from a narrow top, the crest or ridgecrest, wi ...

with many branches, the

rock face In geography and geology, a cliff or rock face is an area of rock which has a general angle defined by the vertical, or nearly vertical. Cliffs are formed by the processes of weathering and erosion, with the effect of gravity. Cliffs are comm ...

s are mainly oriented in a north-south direction. This geological feature gives the heavily divided mountain group its own character.

Paths

The summit of the Gilfert is easily climbed from Innerst near Weerberg (south side of the Inn valley) via the Nonsalm (1,785 m). The route from Innerst to Nonsalm can be climbed as a

ski tour Ski touring is skiing in the backcountry on unmarked or unpatrolled areas. Touring is typically done off-piste and outside of ski resorts, and may extend over a period of more than one day. It is similar to backcountry skiing but excludes the ...

or with

snow shoe Snowshoes are specialized outdoor gear for walking over snow. Their large footprint spreads the user's weight out and allows them to travel largely on top of rather than through snow. Adjustable bindings attach them to appropriate winter footw ...

s in the winter and spring, because the route is relatively safe from avalanches. A second route runs almost parallel to it from

Pill Pill or The Pill may refer to: Drugs * Pill (pharmacy), referring to anything small for a specific dose of medicine * "The Pill", a general nickname for the combined oral contraceptive pill Film and television * ''The Pill'' (film), a 2011 fil ...

or the district town of

Schwaz Schwaz () is a city in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It is the administrative center of the Schwaz district. Schwaz is located in the lower Inn valley. Location Schwaz lies in the middle of the Lower Inn Valley at the foot of the Kellerjoch ...

up to the summit. File:20071225-Nonsalm am Gilfert MQ.jpg, Nonsalm am Gilfert File:20071225-Gilfert MQ.jpg, Ski ascent of the Gilfert in December

Ski region versus nature reserve

For many years discussions have taken place over whether to develop the Gilfert as a ski region, or designate it as a nature reserve. On the one hand, it has been envisaged for a long while to create a ''Gilfert-Rastkogel'' reserve (''Ruhegebiet''). On the other hand, the Inn valley municipalities around Weer have striven to provide access to the Hochfügen-Hochzillertal ski region, whose facilities would extend to the ridge. A regional planning policy decision about the future of the Central Alps around Hintertux is pending.

External links

{{commonscat
Gilfert ski tour via Hochfügen - route description and photos

Gilfert mountain tour - route description from Loas Saddle with photosGilfert ski tour - route description from Innerst with photos

References

Mountains of the Alps Mountains of Tyrol (federal state) Two-thousanders of Austria Tux Alps

Location and countryside

Paths

Ski region versus nature reserve

See also

External links

References