Serles

2,717 m

Austria

Elevation: 2,717 m
Prominence: 333 m
Difficulty: 3/10; Mountain hike
Best Season: Jul–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

3D Preview

SACT3HikeNormal route

Sources differ: schwierig / black mountain path above the Serlesjöchl (TVB Wipptal on tirol.at)

The standard ascent of Innsbruck's 'high altar of Tyrol': from the Maria Waldrast area (about 1,560 m) along the valley floor and up through dwarf pine and the Serlesgrube to the Serlesjöchl (2,384 m), then a short ladder and cabled rock step and steep fine-scree zigzags to the summit plateau. About 1,070 m and 2½–3 hours up.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 4.4 km; one way
Ascent: +1,156 m; start → summit
High Point: 2,717 m
Time Up: 4h 25m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 2h 52m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Drive from Matrei am Brenner up the toll road (EUR 5) through Mühlbachl to Maria Waldrast, the highest pilgrimage monastery in Austria. The Alpenverein Innsbruck description starts at the road by the Matreier Ochsenalm (1,560 m), just south of the monastery; the tourist board currently also gives the Ochsenalm as the start because of a path closure near the monastery. Trail 121 runs briefly through forest beside the road, past the Ochsenalm and along the valley floor on a wide track. After about an hour a signpost points right onto a path through dwarf pine into a broad cirque (the Serlesgrube) between the steep east faces of the Lämpermahdspitze and the Serles. Past a spring, the path climbs fairly steeply on scree and rock to the Serlesjöchl (2,384 m), about 1¾ hours from the start. At the col turn right to a rock step with a small iron ladder and a wire cable, the crux, where you should watch for people coming down. Short cabled sections follow, then a narrow path in fine scree zigzags steeply to the broad summit plateau and the cross (about 50 minutes from the col). Descend the same way in about 2 hours. The route is very popular, especially for sunrise ascents in summer. If the summit path is crowded, the Lämpermahdspitze to the left of the col is a quieter alternative.

Start

Matreier Ochsenalm1,563 m

S-Bahn from Innsbruck to Matrei am Brenner (every 30 minutes), then taxi to Maria Waldrast (book via the monastery inn). Alternatively the Serlesbahn from Mieders in the Stubai valley adds about 1¼ hours for the round trip.

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Matreier Ochsenalm → Serles	4.4	1,156	0	4h 25m

Waypoints

Trailhead:
Matreier Ochsenalm1,563 m
Roadside parking near the Ochsenalm turn-off; large car park at Maria Waldrast monastery about 800 m north
Col:
Serlesjöchl2,376 m
Summit:
Serles2,717 m

Key Passages

Steep climb from the Serlesgrube to the Serlesjöchl
Iron ladder and cabled rock step above the col (crux)
Steep fine-scree zigzags to the summit plateau

Equipment

0/6 packed

Technical

Short ropeAlpenverein Innsbruck advises roping children above the SerlesjöchlRecommended

Safety

Sun protection and waterRequired
Headlampfor sunrise ascentsRecommended
Helmetstonefall from parties above on busy daysRecommended

Footwear

Mountain boots with good treadsteep fine scree above the colRequired

Clothing

Rain jacket and warm layerRequired

Downloads

Route confidence 80%

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Overview

The limestone pyramid (2,717 m) that closes the view south from Innsbruck at the mouth of the Stubai valley, known as the 'high altar of Tyrol'. A popular T3 ascent from the Maria Waldrast monastery with a short ladder and cabled step, and a classic sunrise summit.

The Serles (also Waldrastspitze), built of Upper Triassic calcareous marble over Hauptdolomit, is the north-eastern end of the Serles ridge, a limestone offshoot of the Stubai Alps between the Stubai valley and the Wipptal. Seen from Innsbruck its three-tiered pyramid stands at the end of the valley, which is why it is called the 'Hochaltar von Tirol' (high altar of Tyrol). Steep faces, couloirs and pillars fall on all sides, and the summit looks south over the Wipptal and north over the Inn valley, with the Olperer, the Habicht and the Karwendel in view.

The normal route starts at about 1,560 m near Maria Waldrast, the highest pilgrimage monastery in Austria, reached by a toll road from Matrei am Brenner. It is a straightforward trail (nearly all ascents use the Serlesjöchl; other approaches come from Fulpmes or Neustift via the Alpengasthaus Wildeben) to the Serlesjöchl, followed by a short iron ladder, some cabled rock and steep scree zigzags to the broad summit plateau. About 1,070 m of ascent; never seriously exposed, but steep and loose enough to require sure feet.

It is one of the most climbed summits around Innsbruck, and sunrise ascents are a local tradition, so expect company on summer weekends.

Climbing Notes

A demanding day walk for sure-footed hikers: about 1,070 m of ascent and 4½–5¼ hours round trip. The ladder and cabled step above the Serlesjöchl are short; Alpenverein Innsbruck recommends roping children (and suggests a minimum age of about 10). On busy days wait for descending parties at the ladder and avoid knocking stones down the scree path.

For a sunrise ascent, leave Maria Waldrast around 02:00–02:30 with a headlamp. Snow lingers in the Serlesgrube and on the scree above the col into early summer; in winter the Serles is a ski tour from Maria Waldrast only for experienced parties. Check the current start point, as the tourist board reports a path closure that moves the start to the Matreier Ochsenalm.

History

The first ascent is put at around 1579, probably by a chamois hunter (H. G. Ernstinger). A folk legend recorded by Johann Nepomuk von Alpenburg in 1861 tells of an evil king turned to stone, with his sons as the side peaks, hence the name 'König Serles'. A sign on the Serlesjöchl derives the name from the Ladin word for sun ('Suredl'); in winter the sun rises and sets twice behind the peak as seen from Mieders.

Season

Best Jul–Sep

January: Not advisable
February: Not advisable
March: Possible
April: Not advisable
May: Possible
June: Good
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Not advisable
December: Not advisable

Jan: Winter; ski touring only for experienced parties
Feb: Winter
Mar: Spring ski tour from Maria Waldrast; avalanche risk
Apr: Snowmelt; avalanche risk in the cirque
May: Snow in the Serlesgrube and above the col
Jun: Usually clear by late June
Jul: Main season; sunrise ascents; thunderstorms
Aug: Busy at weekends
Sep: Stable weather
Oct: Good until first snow
Nov: Snow and ice on the scree path
Dec: Winter

Access & Permits

Fees

Toll road from Mühlbachl to Maria Waldrast: EUR 5

Rules

A path closure currently moves the official start to the Matreier Ochsenalm (no dates given by the tourist board)

Getting There

Matrei am Brenner; Mieders (Stubai valley)

Innsbruck Airport (INN)

Car: A13, exit Matrei am Brenner, back into Matrei and left up the steep road towards Mühlbachl/Maria Waldrast; toll road to the monastery car park (parking also by the Ochsenalm turn-off, or before the toll station, adding about 2 h)
Train: S-Bahn Innsbruck–Matrei am Brenner every 30 minutes, then taxi to Maria Waldrast (number via the monastery inn, +43 5273 6219)
From the Stubai valley: Serlesbahn from Mieders and a path to Maria Waldrast

Hazards

Rockfall
Weather