Rübezahl-Hütte
Panorama mountain inn with a large sun terrace, close to the top station. You get there by gondola. According to tourist sources there is often live folk music on Sundays.
Niederau’s mountain lift
The Markbachjoch
You can see it from the village: the Markbachjoch, the mountain that got the first chairlift in Tyrol in 1947. To this day it is Niederau’s showpiece – for skiers in winter, for hikers, families and paragliders in summer.
- ± 1,500 mheight of the Markbachjoch (summit about 1,496 m)
- ± 6 mingondola ride from the village
- 1947the first chairlift in Tyrol opens
- 8 peopleper cabin in today’s gondola (since 1995)
Lifts
The Markbachjochbahn and the lifts around it
The Markbachjochbahn starts at the edge of Niederau and takes you to the Markbachjoch in about six minutes. It is a gondola with eight-person cabins, built by Doppelmayr in 1995. According to skiresort.info, it can carry roughly 1,200 people per hour.
At the top, the ski area connects to the lift and piste network of Ski Juwel Alpbachtal Wildschönau. Across the village lies the Lanerköpfl, the second, somewhat quieter part of Niederau’s ski area. Around the top station a covered moving carpet for skiers has been announced; check the current status with the Wildschönauer Bergbahnen.
Huts & restaurants
Eating and drinking on the mountain
There are several places to stop around the Markbachjoch. Opening times differ by season; call or check the website before you go.
Markbachjochalm
Alpine hut at the Markbachjoch that suits families: there is a playground and a small petting zoo, and in good weather hammocks for a rest.
Schnapshütte
Snack bar at the valley station of the Markbachjochbahn: handy for a bite or a drink before or after the ride, especially after a day on the slopes.
Norderbergalm
Cosy alpine hut at about 1,360 metres, roughly half an hour’s walk from the top station. It serves Tyrolean dishes and homemade cake. Around the Lanerköpfl too, for example at the Holzalm, there are good places to stop.
History
The first chairlift in Tyrol
It began after the war. In 1946 engineer Sepp Hochmuth, a trained machine fitter, started building a chairlift from Niederau to the Markbachjoch. It was a true do-it-yourself project: according to tradition, thin wooden boards, wires and water pipes were used for the seats, and an old tank engine supplied the drive.
The lift opened on 14 January 1947. It gave the valley its first mountain lift and marked the start of winter tourism in the Wildschönau. Anyone stepping into the gondola today still follows the line of that first lift.
- 1946
Engineer Sepp Hochmuth starts building the chairlift to the Markbachjoch. - 14 January 1947
The lift opens – by tradition the first chairlift in Tyrol. - 1972
A new two-person chairlift (Swoboda) takes over. - 1995
The eight-person gondola (Doppelmayr) replaces the chairlift: today’s Markbachjochbahn. - 2022
Niederau’s mountain lift celebrates its 75th anniversary.
Summer & winter
What to do on the Markbachjoch
In winter
Wide, sunny slopes above the village, suitable for beginners, families and relaxed skiing. You can ski back down to Niederau. The north-facing slopes have steeper runs, such as the Hochberg run. For the youngest there are practice slopes and a drag lift near the village.
In summer
The gondola lets you skip the climb and start straight on the mountain pastures. Popular routes lead to the Rosskopf via the Halsgatterl or to the Feldalphorn, and there is a quieter path along the forest edge to Penningdörfl with views to the Hohe Salve and the Wilder Kaiser. The Markbachjoch is also a well-known take-off site for paragliders; the launch area lies below the hut. Families will find a playground and animals at the alpine hut.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about the Markbachjoch
How long is the ride on the Markbachjochbahn?
The eight-seater gondola from Niederau to the Markbachjoch takes about six minutes. The old chairlift needed around eighteen minutes.
Can you visit the Markbachjoch in summer too?
Yes. The gondola also runs in the summer season and takes hikers, families and paraglider pilots up. The start and end of the season and daily times change from year to year; check the Wildschönauer Bergbahnen for current times.
Which huts and restaurants are there at the Markbachjoch?
Close to the top station you will find the Rübezahl-Hütte and the Markbachjochalm; the Schnapshütte stands at the valley station. A short walk further is the Norderbergalm. Opening times change with the season, so check ahead.
What is the history of the Markbachjoch?
Here the first chairlift in Tyrol opened on 14 January 1947, built by engineer Sepp Hochmuth. In 1995 an eight-seater gondola replaced it.
Please note: times, prices and season dates change. Always check them with the Wildschönauer Bergbahnen and the huts themselves. Sources for history and technical data: Wildschönau Tourismus, skiresort.info and the Ski Juwel website.