Spieljoch near Fügen: hiking and skiing in the Zillertal

About the mountain

The Spieljoch sits above Fügen in the Zillertal, in the Tux Alps. According to a Tyrol tourism source it is the first ski area in the valley, and the village has its own valley station. Heights vary by source: the mountain station is at about 1,860 m, the summit cross at roughly 1,900 to 1,920 m, and the ski area covers a vertical range from just over 600 m up to about 2,050 m. At the mountain station you find refreshments and the play area; the summit itself is a short walk. The view takes in the Zillertal and the surrounding ranges.

Getting there

The valley station of the Spieljochbahn is in Fügen. From Niederau you drive via Wörgl and Jenbach along the Inn valley and then into the Zillertal; allow about an hour and roughly 50 km (approximate). The gondola takes you to the mountain station at about 1,860 m in a few minutes. In winter there are also pistes back to the valley; in summer you can ride the gondola down or walk down on a path. There is parking at the valley station; check beforehand on current conditions and whether the lift runs on your day.

Summer: hiking

The easiest walk goes from the mountain station to the summit cross: a broad path of about 20 minutes, suitable for families, with a panorama over the Zillertal. A pushchair-friendly path leads in about half an hour to the Arzjoch reservoirs, roughly 200 m lower. Longer outings run from the mountain station via the Gartalm to Hochfügen (about 12 km, around 4 hours according to a Tyrol tourism source, mostly downhill). You can also walk from the middle station to the Geolsalm and on to the summit. Choose your route to suit the youngest walker.

Summer: family fun and cycling

At the mountain station there is a play area with trampolines, a climbing frame, swings, a slide and a small water play area. A treasure hunt, a climbing course, a flying fox and guided downhill rides on a Fatroller or MountainCart are also mentioned; what exactly is on offer varies by season, so ask beforehand. For mountain bikers, the Zillertal tourist board describes a demanding loop of about 40 km with roughly 1,775 m of climbing from Hochfügen via the Spieljoch around the Kellerjoch massif. I found no confirmed information about a dedicated bike park on the mountain.

Winter: skiing

The Spieljoch ski area is generally seen as family-friendly and easy to oversee. Sources give about 17 to 20 km of pistes, including a valley run of about 7 km, plus about 4 km of ski routes. It is not a large area like Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau, but it is relaxed and handy for beginners and for families who want a taste of the Zillertal. The exact season changes from winter to winter; Bergfex lists provisional dates from mid December to the end of March for 2026/27, but check with the operator. Nobody can promise snow in advance.

Winter: ski touring, snowshoeing and tobogganing

There is a toboggan run of about 5.5 km that starts at the mountain station; you ride the gondola up and sledges can be rented at the mountain station. The run is rated medium difficulty. A groomed winter walking route of about 600 m also leads from the mountain station to the summit cross. Ski tourers often choose a piste tour from the valley station in Fügen, next to the slope. Snowshoe tracks can be seen beside the piste. I found no detailed, confirmed information on dedicated snowshoe routes.

Huts and refreshments

There are several huts and alpine pastures on the mountain. Along the walking routes the Geolsalm (about 1,733 m, near the middle station and a popular stop for food and drink), the Gartalm and the Gamssteinhaus are mentioned. There are also refreshments at the mountain station. For a longer outing, the Kellerjochhütte (an Alpine Club hut at 2,237 m) can be a goal; one source gives about 2 hours from the top station of the Spieljochbahn. Opening times vary by season, so check in advance.

Safety

Before any tour off the piste in winter, check the Tyrol avalanche bulletin (lawine.tirol.gv.at); when the avalanche level is high, ski tourists here deliberately stick to the piste. This guide does not replace the bulletin and is not a route description to follow blindly: if you do not know the route, go with a mountain guide. In summer, expect mountain weather to change quickly, wear sturdy shoes and carry water and extra clothing. Do not leave children unsupervised on steep stretches or near the edges of the play areas.

Frequently asked questions