What are the official Schlegeis Reservoir opening hours?
Make sure to check the official Schlegeis Reservoir opening hours before you go, so you don’t make the long trip to the very end of the Zillertal valley in vain! The only way to drive up to the reservoir is via the Schlegeis Alpine Road, a 13.3-kilometer toll road. It leads from the Breitlahner Inn (Gasthof Breitlahner) up to the Schlegeis dam wall.
The Schlegeis Alpine Road is only open during the summer months and remains completely closed in winter. Therefore, the opening hours of the reservoir depend entirely on the schedule of this toll road. Without the road, you cannot reach the lake by car or bus—unless you want to hike over the mountains on foot. However, doing this in the snow outside of the official season is highly discouraged due to serious avalanche danger!
Schlegeis Seasonal Opening Times
The Schlegeis Reservoir is open from May to the end of October. As soon as weather and road conditions allow (clearing snow, ensuring avalanche safety, etc.), the road opens in May for the summer season, making the Schlegeis area accessible to the public for six months. Toward the end of October, the road closes again depending on the snowfall. Usually, the Austrian National Holiday on October 26 is the last day of the season, with the road closing from October 27 onward. During the official season, the toll station is staffed daily. In July and August, it is open from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. In May, June, September, and October, you can drive on the Schlegeis Alpine Road from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Schlegeis Opening Hours 2026: From May 21 to November 1, 2026
- May: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- June: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- July: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- August: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- September: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- October: 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Please note that at the beginning of the season in May and toward the end in October, sudden snowfall can cause temporary closures. If it is snowing or if there has been heavy snowfall in the preceding days, the road may close for a few days in spring or autumn. For up-to-date, day-to-day information, you can contact the office directly at +43 (0) 50 313 23201.
Further Links
- all about the Schlegeis Reservoir
- how to explore the big Schlegeis Dam
- look at the famos Olpererhütte Bridge
