Tirol‘s most spectacular vantage points

109 mountains over 3000m

From the Dolomites to the mountains of the Ortler Massif, the Top of Tyrol viewing platform on the Stubai Glacier offers visitors the chance to admire an incredible 109 peaks over 3000m. The platform is perched at 3,210 metres above sea level in the Stubai Glacier ski resort and is itself an eye-catching example of modern architectural design. No fewer than 20 tonnes of weather-resistant Corten steel had to be transported up onto the glacier to realise the vision created by Innsbruck architects LAAC of a dynamic construction blending into the alpine landscape. The platform has a modern Viscope telescope which displays the name of each as the visitor’s gaze wanders from one summit to the next.

Open all year. The cable car to the Top of Tyrol viewing platform is open daily from 8:00 until 16:30.

Top Mountain Star in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl: bar with a view

Futuristic is the best way to describe the Top Mountain Star, a unique summit restaurant perched on the narrow Wurmkogel ridge at 3,080 metres above sea level. This glass-and-steel construction is an eye-catching architectural highlight in its own right and also a fantastic vantage point overlooking the Ötztal Alps and the Dolomites. The Top Mountain Star serves drinks and traditional Tirolean snacks – an unforgettable dining experience. It is situated next to the top of the Wurmkogelbahn cable car, which often operates a sunset service for visitors wishing to catch the last few rays of the day when the mountains are bathed in a beautifully warm light.

Open from 9:00 until 16:00 (daily in winter; on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays in summer).

High, higher, highest

The Café 3440 on the Pitztal Glacier is the highest café in Austria. As the name indicates, it lies at 3,440 metres above sea level on the Hinterer Brunnenkogel mountain. This futuristic-looking disc with large windows and an overhanging terrace can be accessed using the Wildspitzbahn cable car. On the menu are homemade cakes and fabulous views of more than 50 peaks over 3000m. Among the mountains which can be seen from the café is the Wildspitze, at 3,774m the highest mountain in North Tirol.

Open daily from 9:30 until 15:30 throughout the period when the cable cars are in operation.

The longest tibet-style hanging footbridge in the world

While some visitors to the highline179 in Reutte can’t wait to go, others need more than a few deep breaths before taking their first tentative steps out over the abyss. At 406 metres, this masterpiece of engineering is the longest tibet-style hanging footbridge in the world and runs directly above the B179 road near Reutte. It is located within the grounds of the Burgenwelt Ehrenberg castle adventure area and connects the Ehrenberg ruins to the Fort Claudia ruins.

The bridge is open daily from 8:00 until 22:00.

On the shores of an ancient ocean

The viewing platform at the top of the Steinplatte ski resort looks a little like a huge fan-shaped coral with its individual branches jutting out over a 70m abyss. This unusual shape is not a coincidence. It was chosen because of the platform’s location within the Triassic Park Waidring, an adventure area where children learn all about the ancient Tethys ocean which once covered this region. When the waters receded, a huge dry reef was left behind. Today, visitors can excellent great views of the surrounding mountain landscape. Visitors with a strong stomach can walk out into thin air on sections of the platform with metal grids or glass panels, while those of a more nervous disposition can stay on the sections which do not offer such vertigo-inducing views directly underfoot.

The cable car to the Triassic Park is open every day in summer from 9:00 until 16:45 and every day in winter from 8:30 until16:30.

The world’s largest mountain-top cross

At the top of the Buchensteinwand, at 1,456 metres above sea level, stands a mighty Cross of Saint James overlooking the Pillerseetal Valley. Constructed using state-of-the-art design methods, this 29.5m tall cross is not only the largest mountain-top cross in the world but is also hollow and can be accessed on the inside by visitors. Each of its four arms contains a heated viewing and exhibition area. Seminars, readings and other projects are held in this unique location with a stunning backdrop overlooking the Kitzbühel Alps. There is an additional viewing platform on top of the cross which can be reached via a list and is wheelchair accessible. The mighty cross is a popular stop for hikers and pilgrims walking along the Way of Saint James, an pilgrimage trail ending in Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Open daily from 9:00 until 16:45.

Eagle’s Nest with a spectacular descent

Visitors to the “Eagle’s Nest” on the Gschöllkopf can look forward to great views of the shimmering blue waters of Lake Achensee as well as the peaks of the Karwendel Mountains and the Zillertal Alps. The eight-metre-wide platform at 2,039m was designed by Tirolean architect Manfred Hörl to look like an eagle’s nest and was made using eight tonnes of intertwined metal. To make the experience even more realistic there is the option of descending on the Airrofan, a sky glider which drops 200 vertical metres at speeds of up to 80km/h. Great fun for all the family!

The cable car operates daily from 8:30 until 17:00 between 1 May and 1 November. It opens an hour earlier and closes an hour later during the summer. The viewing platform is only open in summer.

Adlerhorst in Hoch-Imst: on the wings of an eagle

Perched on a vertiginous rock face above the town of Imst, the Adlerhorst appears to be floating in mid air offers visitors great views of the Gurgltal Valley and the protected nature area around the Muttekopf and the mighty Platteinspitzen. This platform is to be found just below the Alpjochbahn cable car, at around 2,000m altitude, and is accessible via a 13m walkway. The platform is only open in summer, but the views are just as spectacular all year round from another viewing platform next to the top of the cable car, the Panoramaterrasse SunOrama. Hikers can walk from here along the Drischlsteig towards the Muttekopfhütte hut.

In summer the cable car runs daily between 9:15 and 12:00. In winter it operates daily between 9:00 and 16:00. Between seasons it is only open on a few selected days.

Majestic bearded vulture at 2,828 metres

Ever wanted to experience the feeling of swooping over mountains at more than 2,800 metres above sea level? The bearded eagle, the largest bird of prey native to Tirol, enjoys this unique perspective every single day. Now, thanks to a new viewing platform in the ski resort of Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis, you do can too! Perched on the edge of this viewing platform at 2,828 metres is a bearded vulture coming into land. This eye-catching sculpture was created by local artist Walter File and has a majestic three-metre wingspan - slightly larger than that of the real bearded vulture. Next to the sculpture there is an information board with details on the bird and its natural habitat as well as a high-tech interactive telescope to admire the many mountain peaks on the horizon. The viewing platrform can be reached quickly and easily in winter via the Masnerkopfbahn cable car. The cable car is closed in summer, so visitors wishing to enjoy the fabulous view will have to walk up.

Between glaciers and 3,000-metre peaks

Perched at the highest point in the Zillertal Valley, accessible via cable car, this viewing platform overlooking the Hintertux Glacier is one of the most spectacular of its kind in Tirol. From this vantage point at 3,250 metres you can see countless mountain peaks stretching as far as the eye can see. The platform is wheelchair-accessible via a series of cable cars. Don't forget to take a picture using the Photo Point and download it straight away to show friends and family.