- Brief description
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ETAPPE 1 – 5
Ötztal-Bahnhof (704 m) – Dortmunder Hütte (1.949 m) – Schweinfurter Hütte (2.036 m) – Winnebachseehütte (2.361 m) – Amberger Hütte (2.136 m) – Hochstubaihütte (3.174 m) - Difficulty
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medium
- Rating
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- Route
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Ötztal (692 m)Ötztal-BahnhofLarchet2.6 kmGrün3.9 kmObergut10.0 kmSattele (1,690 m)10.9 kmOchsengarten (1,538 m)11.6 kmMarlstein13.7 kmMaria im Stein13.7 kmKaiserBahn18.8 kmDortmunder Hütte19.0 kmFinstertaler Scharte (2,777 m)25.5 kmSchweinfurter Hütte28.7 kmZwieselbacher Sennhütte29.1 kmWinnebachseehütte39.1 kmErnst-Riml-Spitz (2,507 m)39.9 kmAmberger Hütte (2,135 m)48.2 kmWildkarspitze (3,173 m)56.3 kmHochstubaihütte56.3 km
- Best season
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
- Description
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An Ocean in the Alps
ETAPPE 1 – 5
Ötztal-Bahnhof (704 m) – Dortmunder Hütte (1949 m) – Schweinfurter Hütte (2028 m) – Winnebachseehütte (2361 m) – Amberger Hütte (2136 m) – Hochstubaihütte (3.174 m)
Changes in elevation: ascent 4950 m / descent 2500 m
Distance in kilometers: 55 km
This first stage requires enough stamina and physical fitness but not a high level of Alpine experience as the ridges and crossings – except the last two stages – are free of ice. Of course you can descend before you reach the glacier.
STAGE 1:
ÖTZTAL-BAHNHOF (704 m) –> MARLSTEIN –> MAREIL –> DORTMUNDER HÜTTE (1949 m)
Route: steep path, footpath, road
Requirements: surefootedness, good physical condition, stamina; red mountain trail
Difficulties: none
Equipment: standard hiking equipment
Walking time: approx. 6.5 hrs
Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 1450 meters / descent 200 meters
Highest point: 1949 m
Distance in kilometers: approx. 17 km
Lodging, refreshment stops: Familiengasthof Marlstein, Almhof Marail, Dortmunder Hütte, in close vicinity (Issalm, Feldringalm)
Access/exit points: public bus from Oetz to Kühtai
Hamlets, Moor Lake & Secluded Trails
The trailhead is at the construction deposit on the main road in Ötztal-Bahnhof, east of the village limits. Follow the signs to “Larchet, Höpperg”. Before you reach the chapel you make a right towards „Grün“, another right to Höpperg. Walk through meadows up to the houses, then follow the unsealed road and continue on it until it starts descending. Pick up the trail to your left which climbs through the forest before joining the road to Lake Brandsee - also known as Amberger See. Continue towards “Sattele” where you pick up the eastern path to Marlstein (approx. 45 minutes). From Marlstein walk in the same direction down to Mareil. Take Kaiser-Franz-Josef Trail left of the road. From here it’s another 200-meter climb to Dortmunder Hütte. Option: spend the night in Marlstein or Mareil. Walking time Ötztal-Bahnhof - Marlstein: approx. 4.75 hrs, add 30 minutes to get to Mareil.
STAGE 2:
DORTMUNDER HÜTTE (1949 m) –> SCHWEINFURTER HÜTTE (2028 m)
Route: steep path, footpath
Requirements: surefootedness, good head for heights; red mountain trail
Difficulties: none
Equipment: standard hiking equipment
Walking time: approx. 4 hrs
Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 850 meters / descent 800 meters
Highest point: 2777 m
Distance in kilometers: approx. 10 km
Lodging, refreshment stops: Dortmunder Hütte, Schweinfurter-Hütte
Access/exit points: public bus from Oetz to Kühtai; from Niederthai – Sennhof car park or parking area at the Information Office (parking ticket required) to Schweinfurter Hütte (ascent approx. 2 hrs / descent 1.5 hrs)
Like an Ocean in the Alps
At the entrance to Kühtai you follow the signs to “Finstertaler Scharte” or “Schweinfurter Hütte”. At first the route travels almost flat through beautiful pasturelands, later it climbs through the meadows east of the access road to Finstertaler Reservoir of which you can see the mighty, 149-meter tall dam. After a short but steep stretch you continue along the access road to the crest of the dam. Follow the footpath along the eastern shore of the reservoir which has a capacity of 60 million cubic meters. At the southern end of the reservoir the trail climbs steeply towards Finstertaler Scharte. The 2777 meter high ridge affords spectacular views of the surrounding peaks including Wildspitze, Tirol’s highest mountain, in the south. From the top of the pass the trail weaves down through meadows and pasturelands and then switchbacks down to Schweinfurter Hütte which is beautifully nestled in the meeting point of Horlachtal and Zwieselbachtal valleys.
STAGE 3:
SCHWEINFURTER HÜTTE (2028 m) –> WINNEBACHSEEHÜTTE (2361 m)
Route: road, steep path
Requirements: stamina; red mountain trail
Difficulties: none
Equipment: standard hiking equipment
Walking time: approx. 4.25 hrs
Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 850 meters / descent 500 meters
Highest point: 2868 m
Distance in kilometers: approx. 10 km
Lodging, refreshment stops: Zwieselbacher Sennhütte, Schweinfurter Hütte, Winnebachseehütte
Access/exit points: from Niederthai – Sennhof car park or parking area at the Information Office (parking ticket required) to Schweinfurter Hütte (ascent approx. 2 hrs / descent 1.5 hrs); from Gries im Sulztal (Längenfeld) to Winnebachseehütte (ascent approx. 2.25 hrs / descent 1.75 hrs)
Through Zwieselbachtal
Take the road into Zwieselbachtal, following the signs to “Winnebachseehütte”. Pass Zwieselbacher Sennhütte and continue through the woodless but verdant Zwieselbachtal Valley. The road ends at 2150 meters - continue on the footpath through rubble and boulders. The trail eventually climbs through a scree slope which can be a bit difficult and tiring as there is no signposted route leading across the gravel field. In the summer there is no ice or snow on the way to Zwieselbachjoch Ridge which is located to the right of the glacier. To the west you can see mighty Breiter Grieskogel with its glacier. Once you have crossed the saddle the trail descends quickly and then levels out as it reaches Winnebachkar basin. Cross the basin to get to Winnebachseehütte and the rushing mountain brook which meanders into the scenic high Alpine lake.
STAGE 4:
WINNEBACHSEEHÜTTE (2361 m) –> BACHFALLENFERNER –> AMBERGER HÜTTE (2136 m)
Route: steep path, footpath, road
Requirements: surefootedness, good head for heights, excellent physical condition, high Alpine experience; black mountain trail, partly high Alpine route
Difficulties: glacier fields on Bachfallferner (crevasses!), guide recommended
Equipment: standard hiking equipment, (if necessary) icepick, crampons, rope; roping absolutely required on the glacier
Walking time: approx. 5 hrs
Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 700 meters / descent 900 meters
Highest point: 3054 m
Distance in kilometers: approx. 10 km
Lodging, refreshment stops: Winnebachseehütte, Vordere Sulztalalm, Amberger Hütte
Access/exit points: from Gries im Sulztal (Längenfeld) to Winnebachseehütte (ascent approx. 2.25 hrs / descent 1.75 hrs); from Gries im Sulztal (Längenfeld) to Amberger Hütte (ascent approx. 2 hrs / descent 1.5 hrs)
Along the Gries Glacier Hike Route
From Winnebachseehütte the trail leads in switchbacks towards the peak of Ernst-Riml-Spitze. Right before you reach the glacier fields of Bachfallenferner we climb the steeply winding route. The view of Bachfallenferner Glacier and the crossing itself are really amazing. The almost level path becomes a bit steeper up to the ridge of Gaislehnscharte, the highest point. A short climbing section awaits you but you will be rewarded with awe-inspiring vistas. Steep descent through Schrankar down to Hinteres Sulztal Valley and Amberger Hütte.
STAGE 5:
AMBERGER HÜTTE (2136 m) –> WÜTENKARSATTEL (3103 m) –> HOCHSTUBAIHÜTTE (3174 m)
Route: steep path, footpath
Requirements: surefootedness, good head for heights, good physical condition, high Alpine experience; black mountain trail, partly high Alpine route
Difficulties: glacier fields on Sulztalferner and Wütenkarferner (crevasses!), guide recommended
Equipment: standard hiking equipment, (if necessary) icepick, crampons, rope; roping absolutely required on the glacier
Walking time: approx. 4.5 hrs
Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 1100 meters / descent 100 meters
Highest point: 3174 m
Distance in kilometers: approx. 8 km
Lodging, refreshment stops: Amberger Hütte, Hochstubaihütte
Access/exit points: from Gries im Sulztal (Längenfeld) to Amberger Hütte (ascent approx. 2 hrs / descent 1.5 hrs); from Sölden via Kleblealm and Lake Laubkarsee to Hochstubaihütte (ascent approx. 5 hrs / descent 4 hrs); from Sölden via Fiegl‘s Hütte in Windachtal and Lake Seekarsee to Hochstubaihütte (ascent approx. 5.5 hrs / descent 4.5 hrs); alternatively by public bus to Kleblealm and Fiegl‘s Hütte (ascent to Hochstubaihütte approx. 3.5 hrs / descent 2.5 hrs)
Glacier Tour to Hochstubaihütte
You first follow the flat valley trail along the brook in southern direction and then turn right into the ascending trail. Keep to the right at the trail fork. The route continues climbing gently along the lateral moraine until you reach Sulztalferner Glacier. Time to rope up! Continue along the right edge of the glacier to the foot of Wilde Leck area and on to Wütenkarsattel (watch out for crevasses in this section!). Once you have crossed the saddle you descend through crumbly, sliding rock rubble to Wütenkarferner Glacier and a small lake. Keep slightly to the right when crossing the glacier which you leave at its western edge where you meet the trail from Sölden to Hochstubaihütte. From here it’s an easy ridge walk (100 meters climbing) to the Alpine hut on Wildkarspitze. Don‘t miss out on the truly breathtaking views of the Alpine scenery, which can be enjoyed from this vantage point.
- Highest point
- 3,154 m
- Endpoint
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Hochstubaihut
- Height profile
- Equipment
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It is recommended to wear hiking equipment such as breathable and weather-adapted outdoor clothing, ankle-high mountain boots, wind, rain and sun protection, cap and possibly gloves. It is also important to have enough food, as well as a first-aid package, a cell phone and a hiking map.
- Additional information
- Arrival
- Public transportation
- Parking
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The following parking facilities are available in Ötztal Bahnhof:
- Parking Train station - subject to charges
- Ötztaler Höhe - free of charge
- Author
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The tour Ötztal Trek Route 1 is used by outdooractive.com provided.
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Ötztal
1119
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Niederthai
383