Mandarfen: Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing and Trails at Rifflsee

Mandarfen is a suitable base for a variety of winter days: the Mandarfen beginner lift has gentle pistes for families and beginners, while Rifflsee also offers cross-country skiing and hiking trails. This means that even groups with different interests have several ways to plan their stay. - The Pitztal Glacier and the Rifflsee ski area are connected by the valley run. Together, they form a ski area with 67 kilometres of pistes. - The Rifflseebahn cable car ascends from Mandarfen to 2,232 m and reaches Rifflsee, Austria’s highest mountain lake. - The cable car operates in both the winter and summer seasons and takes passengers to the ski and hiking area in just under five minutes. - Cross-country skiing is possible at Rifflsee. - The Mandarfen beginner lift has gentle pistes and therefore offers suitable conditions for families and beginners. - The valley cross-country trail leads from Wiese to Mandarfen and is more than 21.7 kilometres long. - The first section of the Sculpture Trail begins at the valley station of the Rifflseebahn cable car. The stone sculptures are located along a paved path that is easily accessible by wheelchair.

Trails and excursions around Mandarfen

The valley station of the Rifflseebahn cable car is located in Mandarfen. The Plodersee Circuit begins in Mandarfen, leads through the Hirschtal valley to Rifflsee and runs below the Sunna Alm restaurant and the mountain station of the Rifflseebahn cable car, respectively. It therefore differs from the Fuldaer Höhenweg, which connects the mountain station with the Taschachhaus. Another option is the return route from the Pitztal Legends Trail to Mandarfen via the valley hiking trail. The area around Rifflsee offers scenic high-altitude hikes, climbing gardens and family hikes. These activities complement skiing and cross-country skiing, without requiring you to plan all activities along the same route. To compare other village pages, you can also visit [Zaunhof](Zaunhof) and [Boden](Boden).

Requirements and special experiences

Those considering a more demanding multi-day tour will find the first day of the four-day Pitztal Tour in Mandarfen/Mittelberg. The difficult ascent to the mountain hut leads to the Taschachhaus at 2,434 m, covers 740 metres of elevation gain and takes 2:30 hours. With 740 metres of elevation gain and a walking time of 2:30 hours, the tour differs from the shorter excursions around the lake. For the return journey to Mandarfen, you can borrow a mountain bike from the material cable car after registering by telephone in advance. If you would also like to explore historical traces, the Puitkogel area near [Plangeross](Plangeross) and Mandarfen contains old, partly short mining tunnels dating from the 13th century. Precious metals were sought there at an early stage, but none were found.

FAQ

Where does the Rifflsee circular hiking trail begin and end?

The Sunna Alm is both the starting point and the destination of the circular hiking trail.

How demanding is the first day of the Pitztal Tour?

The ascent to the Taschachhaus mountain hut is classified as difficult.

Can you borrow a mountain bike for the return journey?

Borrowing one requires registering by telephone in advance.

What historical traces are there at Puitkogel?

The mining tunnels date back to the 13th century.

What do visitors learn during the raft trip on Rifflsee?

At Rifflsee, there is an approximately 45-minute trip on a 140 m² wooden raft. During the trip, visitors learn details about the history and present of the Pitztal valley.

To the higher-level travel overview: Sankt Leonhard Im Pitztal.