The suspension bridge at Olpererhütte attracts countless photographers and Instagrammers from near and far. It’s no wonder. With the spectacular Zillertal Alps as its backdrop, the bridge practically invites you to snap the perfect photo. But does this photo hotspot live up to its promise in real life?
High Expectations
The hike from the parking lot at Schlegeisspeicher to the suspension bridge takes about an hour. We set off on a weekday. In the off-season. Even so, we’re not the only ones taking the narrow path toward Olpererhütte . Plenty of other visitors have the same destination in mind. I’m curious, and my expectations are high. What will it be like at the suspension bridge? And where is it, anyway? By now we’re standing right in front of the hut. There’s no sign of the bridge. A little farther uphill, then a bit to the right, said a blog I read beforehand. We take the path and about three minutes later see something rising into view. That must be it!
“I’m only here for the bridge”
A woman is standing alone on the bridge. She gazes into the distance and raises her arms above her head as she breathes in. She tilts her head back, enjoying the solitude and the view. The woman seems completely at peace. But only if you ignore all the activity around her. Cameras click in the background. Phones are being positioned, and photographers bustle back and forth in search of the right angle. A line has formed at the bridge itself. No sooner has the posing woman returned than the next person throws themselves into striking a pose in the middle of the bridge. I ask the woman whether she came just for the photo. She laughs: “Yes. For the bridge.” Just like everyone else, presumably.
Behind the Scenes
We look around. The bridge isn’t as big as I’d imagined. The suspension bridge spans a steep watercourse over a distance of about 10 meters. So it isn’t hanging at a dizzying height above Schlegeisspeicher, as it appears in some photos. It is, however, wobblier than it looks, as I have to admit while stumbling across it. We cross the bridge and check out the view from the other side. Maybe the photos look even better from here. No. The crowd is right: on the Olpererhütte side, a little higher up, is the perfect spot for the photographer.
The Perfect Photo
Now the moment has come. It’s my turn. I exchange glances with Felix , who’s behind the camera. A little farther to the left. Too far. Back again. Thumbs up, perfect. I raise both arms. Grin at the camera. Sit down on the bridge. Gaze across at the other side of the mountain, apparently lost in thought. Get up again. Turn around. Have my picture taken from behind. Smile at the camera one last time. Get another thumbs-up. The sign that there’s bound to be a good picture in there. Then I swap places with the next person in line, who’s already looking impatiently at their watch …