Mandarfen: Rifflsee, Hiking Trails and Winter Sports

If you are considering Mandarfen as a destination, you can plan your stay around the activities that interest you: hiking trails at Lake Rifflsee, alpine tours or winter sports. When choosing a hotel, it is helpful to distinguish between these destinations: some trails start in Mandarfen, while others begin at the mountain station or continue from there.

Take the Rifflsee cable car to Lake Rifflsee

The valley station of the Rifflsee cable car is located in Mandarfen. From there, the cable car ascends to 2,232 metres and reaches Lake Rifflsee, Austria’s highest mountain lake. The ride to the ski and hiking area takes just under five minutes. The cable car operates during the summer and winter seasons; check the current timetable before you travel.

The lake is a starting point and landmark for various activities, but their routes differ. The Lake Rifflsee circular hiking trail starts and ends at Sunna Alm. The Plodersee loop, by contrast, starts in Mandarfen, passes through the Hirschtal valley to Lake Rifflsee, and runs below the Sunna Alm restaurant and the mountain station of the Rifflsee cable car. When planning, you can therefore choose between a circular trail that starts and ends at the alm and a tour whose described route begins in Mandarfen.

Hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty

The Fuldaer Höhenweg is a longer mountain route connecting the mountain station of the Rifflsee cable car with the Taschachhaus. The four-day Pitztal tour also begins on the first day in Mandarfen or Mittelberg and follows a difficult hut approach to the Taschachhaus at 2,434 metres. The ascent is listed as 740 metres of elevation gain and 2 hours 30 minutes. These details provide a concrete reference for planning the stages; alpine conditions can affect access.

The Pitztaler Sagensteig offers another return route: the valley hiking trail leads back to Mandarfen. The Talloipe is different in character and is part of the winter offering. It runs from Wiese to Mandarfen and is more than 21.7 kilometres long. Cross-country skiing is also possible at Lake Rifflsee. Your choice therefore depends on whether you are looking for a mountain tour with elevation gain, a circular trail, a route back down to the valley or a cross-country ski trail.

Winter sports and other experiences

The Rifflsee ski area and the Pitztal Glacier are connected by a valley run; together, they form a ski area with 67 kilometres of pistes. At the Mandarfen practice lift, gentle slopes offer suitable conditions for families and beginners, making it easier for children and first-time skiers to get started. The activities around the cable car and slopes are seasonal. If you are planning your trip around skiing, include current operating hours in your plans.

At Lake Rifflsee, you can also take an approximately 45-minute ride on a 140-square-metre wooden raft. Visitors learn about the history and present-day life of the Pitztal valley. Availability may vary by season; check in advance if you want to plan your trip around the raft ride. The first section of the Sculpture Trail begins at the valley station of the Rifflsee cable car. It is wheelchair accessible, as the stone sculptures are positioned along a paved path. This information applies to the first section.

Mandarfen and its history

In addition to today’s trails, historic mining is also part of the area’s history. Near Puitkogel, in the area around Plangeross and Mandarfen, there are old mine tunnels dating from the 13th century, some of them short. Precious metals were sought there early on, but without success. This historical connection offers another perspective on the area’s attractions; the tunnels themselves do not have to be a destination on any of the hikes described.

Discover more destinations: Plangeross, Wiese, Zaunhof, Boden.

Return to the main travel overview: Sankt Leonhard im Pitztal.