Hoher Riffler is a striking 3231 m peak in the Zillertal Alps, showing two distinct faces - a snow and ice-covered north side and a rocky southern aspect. It's a mountain that combines glacial scenery with relatively accessible climbing for a peak of this height.

The surrounding landscape is shaped by glaciers: the Federbettkees stretches almost to the summit on the north side, while the smaller Schwarzbrunnerkees lies to the west. Remnants of the once larger Rifflerkees glacier can still be seen to the southeast, though it has retreated significantly due to global warming. In summer, snowfields often linger on the south ridge above roughly 3000 m, and in winter the peak is a popular and easy destination for ski mountaineers.

How to reach the summit

• Friesenberghaus hut (2498 m) - via the south ridge, about 2.5 hours, UIAA grade I, well-marked alpine route with easier terrain lower down and blocky scrambling higher up
• Spannagelhaus hut - follow the marked path toward Friesenbergscharte, then branch off before it near the Obere Schwarze Platte onto an unmarked route, passing beneath the Schwarzbrunnerkees glacier, about 2.5 hours, requires good orientation skills and sure footing, some rockfall risk

Practical information

• The summit cross, made of iron, bears the coat of arms of the KÖHV Leopoldina Innsbruck student fraternity and was erected in 1981/82
• The Spannagelhaus route can also be skied as a ski tour in winter under safe avalanche conditions
• The nearest larger settlement is Hintertux, about 4 km away as the crow flies

The peak was first climbed during Austria's official land survey, with the first recorded tourist ascent made in 1875 by H. Weber, guided by Georg Samer.