Penkenjoch

Penkenjoch is a beautiful alpine meadow sitting along the Penken ridge, in the Tux Alps above Mayrhofen and Finkenberg. Two gondola systems bring you up here, one from each village. Sitting at the top photogenic view with a reservoir pond, quaint alpine huts and an scenic ridge path. Setting up along the ridge path gives you amazing wide frames looking south across the valley to the main ridge of the Zillertal Alps. Ideally plan on coming up here early or stay late, since midday flattens those peaks. Plus morning or evening light gives amazing colours to the sky. The other subject up here is the Granatkapelle that sits just east of the pond. Mario Botta designed it in the shape of a cut garnet, the stone this valley was mined for. Its faceted upper section rests on a stone base, so it appears as though it's been lifted clear of the ground. It is easy to frame it with the peaks as a perfect backdrop. You'll need a lift ticket to get up here and the chapel is open daily through the snow free months. The Panoramarundweg loops from up here if you want to keep exploring to discovering more photogenic views. (Mayrhofen, Tyrol, Austria)