Overview
The Ötztal is an Alpine valley in the western Austrian state of Tyrol. The Ötztal Trek winds its way for almost 200km past romantic mountain villages, through shady forests, lush green alpine pastures and turquoise mountain lakes. On this 7-day self guided walking tour you hike the Ötztal Trek from Ötz to Zwieselstein, enjoying the views of the glacier-crowned kings of the Ötztal Alps, the Wildspitze and the Similaun.
- The Stuibenfall – Tyrol’s highest waterfall
- The spectacular suspension bridge between Brand and Burgstein near Längenfeld
- Sölden
- Obergurgl – the highest parish in Austria
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Ötz
Arrive in Ötz in Tyrol, located the foot of Acherkogel mountain. If you have time, visit the local heritage museum and art gallery Turmmuseum Ötz.
- Accommodation: Hotel Drei Mohren***
Day 2: Ötz to Niederthai | 17.3km
After breakfast, walk up towards the Calvary Chapel and then follow the forest path in serpentines up to the junction Ebele. Cross the river Oetztaler Ache to reach the hidden Lake Habicher See. From there, hike along the small river Tumpenbach. View the rushing waters of Stuibenfall Waterfall cascading 159m over cliffs, weather-scarred rocks and moss-covered boulders in foaming, spewing onrush of unrestrained energy. You can pass the viewing platforms and the roaring waters via approximately 700 steps and an 80-metre long suspension bridge leading to Niederthai – the origin of the waterfall.
- Walking for the day: 6-7h, 17.3km ↑1,255m ↓491m
- Accommodation: Hotel Tauferberg***
Day 3: Niederthai to Längenfeld | 11.2km
Today you walk along wide forest paths and lush mountain meadows. The trail leads down the mountain slopes, passing cosy hamlets to Längenfeld with its Gothic-baroque church, dating from 1303. Stroll along the sidewalk into the centre of the town. The residents of Längenfeld knew about the soothing effects of spring water as early as the 16th century. Today it is home to the Aqua Dome, state-of-the-art spa resort.
- Walking for the day: 4h, 11.2km ↑440m ↓807m
- Accommodation: Hotel Bergwelt**** (entry to the Aqua Dome Natural Thermal Spa included)
Day 4: Längenfeld to Sölden | 17.5km
Today’s hike will take you to lovely hamlets and pastures and a breathtaking hanging bridge – a stage full of contrasts. Shortly after you pass the idyllic mountain farms in Brand, the path leads over a 220m high hanging bridge, with an incredible panorama of the entire Längenfeld valley. Follow the path into the valley to Aschbach and Sölden. Sölden covers only around one square kilometre, yet the many glaciers, mountains and meadows which surround it make Sölden the largest municipality in Austria.
- Walking for the day: 6-7h, 17.5km ↑1,147m ↓976m
- Accommodation: Hotel Alpina****
Day 5: Sölden to Obergurgl | 14.3km
From Sölden the trail leads to Sonnenwinklweg before descending into Windau and along river Oetztaler Ache into the valley. A beautiful forest path takes you over the Kühtrain gorge to the village of Zwieselstein and along the river Gurgler Ache. At the end of the Ötztal Valley, where the mighty peaks of the main alpine ridge dominate the skyline, lies the small village of Obergurgl. At an elevation of 1,930m, Obergurgl is the highest parish in Austria. The parish church was consecrated in 1737, and in 1967 extensions were added based on plans by Clemens Holzmeister.
- Walking for the day: 5-6h, 14.3km ↑837m ↓280m
- Accommodation: Hotel Mathiesn***
Day 6: Obergurgl – Zwieselstein | 11km
Start your hike heading north to the Pirchhütter Achbrücke. After you have crossed the river Gurgler Ache via the Pirchhütter Achbrücke bridge, the beautiful hiking trail on the western side of the valley leads along a bit steeper path to the lake plateau at about 2,500m. Enjoy a unique glacier panorama, surrounded by majestic 3,000m peaks. Descend through light forest to the road Gurgler Straße and along the hiking trail to the centre of Zwieselstein.
Longer option available: We recommend taking the “Obergurgler Zirbenwald” trail through a beautiful 300-year-old stone pine forest.
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 11km ↑653m ↓1,097m
- Accommodation: Hotel Gasthof Neue Post****
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, a short private transfer will take you back to the village of Ötz.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in nice 3 and 4-star hotels, in double private en-suite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Hotel Drei Mohren***
- Hotel Tauferberg***
- Hotel Bergwelt****
- Hotel Alpina****
- Hotel Mathiesn***
- Hotel Gasthof Neue Post****
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a half board basis – breakfast and dinner included. Picnic lunches are optional at an extra charge and can be ordered locally.
Difficulty and terrain
While generally moderate, there are some difficult parts along the trail – mostly narrow and often steep. Short rope-secured passages may occur (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the 5th of July until the 1st of September. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
By plane
Recommended airport: Innsbruck
By train or bus
- By train: Take the train from Innsbruck to Ötztal and then bus to Ötz (approx. 2.5h).
- By bus: Bus from Innsbruck airport via Ötztal-Bahnhof (approx. 2.5h).
- By car: Parking is available at the starting point. The transfer from Zwieselstein to Ötz on Day 7 back to your car is included in the price.
Inclusions
Included
- 6 overnights with breakfast and dinner as detailed in the itinerary
- Luggage transfer when changing hotels (one piece of luggage per person, max 20kg)
- Transfer from Zwieselstein back to Ötz on Day 7
- Detailed route notes (1 x per room)
- Online chat and phone assistance by our local office/representative: daily from 08.00-20.00
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers upon request only; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Ötz are available upon request
Gallery
