Rifflsee

The Rifflsee (also Riffelsee ) is the largest lake in the Ötztal Alps. The lake is located in the west Kaunergrat above the Pitz Valley and is a typical Moränenstausee. The lake fills a broad valley, the glacier turbid water has a greenish. It is bordered to the north and west by rugged peaks of the Kaunergrat, particularly noticeable are Seekogel and Rostizkogel. In sunny and warm weather, a considerable amount is supplied to melt water from Seekarles, holes and Rifflferner.

History

In 1500, the lake is already in the fishing book Emperor Maximilian I as " wild soul hinden in Putzental " mentioned. In particular, the char as a game fish thrive in these waters. The cartographer Peter Anich (1723-1766) gives it the name " Riffl ", the topographer Jacob Staffler described him in 1839, however, as " Tashkent Riesachsee ".

Accessibility

The lake is Mandarfen (1682 m) reached by the Rifflseebahn. Within walking distance of the lake also be reached from Mandarfen by the Hirschtal in about two hours on easy hiking trail, there are also other simple increase in variants from the Pitztal.

Ski resort

In the 1970s, the Rifflseegebiet was developed as a ski resort. In 1994, the ski area was taken over and modernized the operator of the Pitztal Glacier cable car. This included the replacement of the previous 2er chairlift Mandarfen by a 6-seater cable car and the redevelopment of the 2880 m high pit head.

Sources and maps

• B. and E. Pinzer: Pitztal. Edition dandelion, Innsbruck 2000, ISBN 3-7066-2204-1
• Alpine Club map sheet 30 /5, 1:25.000, Ötztal Alps, Geigenkamm, ISBN 3-928777-44-0