The famous Zillertal Alps with its eponymous high-altitude nature park stretch from the Krimmler Achental valley in Austria via the Brennero Pass to the Valle di Fundres valley in South Tyrol
Image gallery: Zillertal Alps
The Zillertal Alps, a subgroup of the European Central Alps, are called Zillertaler Alpen in German and Alpi della Zillertal in Italian. They are situated at the border of Austria and Italy, mostly on Tyrolean territory, whereas one mountain peak is part of Salzburg. The highest mountains are Mt. Gran Pilastro (3,510 m a.s.l.), Mt. Gran Mèsule (Big Mèsule, 3,478 m a.s.l.) and Mt. Hochfernerspitze (3,463 m a.s.l.). In North Tyrol, the Zillertal Alps are protected in the Zillertal Alps Nature Park. The mountain chain can be classified into the following subgroups: Tux Ridge, Zillertal Main Ridge, Reichenspitz Group, Eastern Zillertal Ridges as well as Fundres Mountains and Aurine Alps.
The latter are situated on South Tyrolean territory - the Fundres Mountains in the Valle di Fundres valley and the Aurine Alps in the Valle Aurina valley, both side valleys of the Val Pusteria valley. The Zillertal Alps are mainly composed of granite gneiss and other rocks. The Fundres Mountains include some popular mountain peaks such as Mt. Gran Pilastro (3,510 m a.s.l.) and Mt. Picco della Croce (3,134 m a.s.l.). The glaciers in this area are slightly smaller and higher located than in other regions. Worthwhile in the Aurine Alps, however, is a hike from Lake Neves to the Ponte di Ghiaccio Mountain Hut at 2,545 m a.s.l.
Highest peak: Mt. Gran Pilastro (3,510 m a.s.l.), first ascent on July 24, 1865, by Paul Grohmann, Georg Samer and Peter Fuchs
Major mountains: Mt. Gran Mèsule, Mt. Hochfernerspitze, Mt. Lovello, Mt. Picco della Croce
Area: South Tyrol (Italy), North Tyrol and Salzburg (both in Austria)