Ötztal Trek Route 1

Logo Ötztal Trek Route 1
long-distance walking trail
Logo Ötztal Trek Route 1
Tour data
56.31km
688 - 3,154m
Distance
4,883hm
2,565hm
Ascent
22:00h
 
Duration
Brief description

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
medium
Rating
Technique
Fitness
Landscape
Experience
Route
Ötztal (692 m)
Ötztal-Bahnhof
Larchet
2.6 km
Grün
3.9 km
Obergut
10.0 km
Sattele (1,690 m)
10.9 km
Ochsengarten (1,538 m)
11.6 km
Marlstein
13.7 km
Maria im Stein
13.7 km
KaiserBahn
18.8 km
Dortmunder Hütte
19.0 km
Schweinfurter Hütte
28.7 km
Zwieselbacher Sennhütte
29.1 km
Winnebachseehütte
39.1 km
Amberger Hütte (2,135 m)
48.2 km
Hochstubaihütte
56.3 km


Best season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Description

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

Hochstubaihut

Height profile

Equipment

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
More details about hiking In Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/wandern 

Arrival
Ötztal Bahnhof is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL in the Inn valley. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

 

Public transportation
Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

 

Parking
The following parking facilities are available in Ötztal Bahnhof:
  • Parking Train station - subject to charges
  • Ötztaler Höhe - free of charge

Author
The tour Ötztal Trek Route 1 is used by outdooractive.com provided.

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