The Fernpass is a striking mountain pass in the Tyrolean Alps, sitting at 1216 m above sea level between the Lechtal Alps and the Mieming Range. Shaped by a massive rockslide roughly 4100 years ago, it's a landscape where dramatic geology meets peaceful alpine lakes.

North of the pass lies a chain of lakes — Blindsee, Fernsteinsee, Mittersee and Weißensee — set among forests and rounded hummocks known as Tomahügel, frozen waves of ancient debris. The area feels different depending on the season: in summer, hikers and cyclists enjoy quiet gravel paths away from the busy pass road, while in winter the surrounding peaks, including views toward the Zugspitze, turn into a snowy alpine panorama. The atmosphere is calm despite the pass being one of the busiest Alpine crossings by car traffic.

How to get there

• Biberwier — gravel path for hikers and cyclists, moderate difficulty, away from the busy B179 road
• Alternative: the historic Via Claudia Augusta route, popular with cyclists heading toward the Gurgltal valley

Practical information

• The hiking and cycling route runs separately from the main Fernpassstraße (B179), offering a safer, quieter experience
• Major roadworks including a new tunnel are planned for 2026–2028 to ease traffic congestion on the pass

Long before the Romans built their road here, prehistoric traders carried Baltic amber over this very pass on their way to Italy — a route now enjoyed by hikers and cyclists rather than merchants.