Gerlos-Schönachtal-Keeskarscharte-Zittauer Hütte-Finkau - Nr.511

If you wish, you can do this tour in stages with an overnight stop at the Zittauer Hütte. Gerlos to the Schönach glacier approx. 3 hrs., from there on to the Keeskarscharte 4 ½ hrs. The refuge warden (a mountain guide) at the Zittauer Hütte will inform you about rock climbs and glacier tours in the region.Opposite the Gerlos education center cross the bridge and then follow the path to the left into Schönachtal,  past the Jörgleralm (1.300 m) to the Stinkmoosalm. Now continue slightly upwards via the Lackenalm (open, 1.405m) and the Pasteinalm (1.692m) following the good path to the Keeskar, zigzagging up the east side of the valley to the Keeskarscharte (col at 2.778 m). Extremely impressive close-up view of the glacier with the rock and ice- capped mountains in the Schönachtal and Wildgerlostal. Wind your way down eastwards into the Wildgerlostal on a well-marked path until your reach the tongue of the Wildgerloskees glacier.
From here you can either...

a)...cross eastwards below the glacier tongue (3/4 hr.) and then walk up gently to the Zittauer Hütte at the Wildgerlossee (lake) and stop for a rest here while admiring  the view onto the glacier. The refuge lies at a height of 2.329 m and enjoys one of the most beautiful setting in the Tyrol; or
 
b)... take the direct route down in zigzags along the left edge of the glacier moraine
until you reach the valley floor. This so-called