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Miners Trail

With audio guide

On the trail of mining history

Over 350 years ago, up to 450 miners dug for chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite at about 2,500 meters above sea level. The Hochoetz Miners Trail takes you back to ancient mining history and makes the arduous life of miners come alive and even audible thanks to audio guides!

Loop tour & variants

This physically demanding but technically easy loop tour starts at Acherkogel top station in Hochoetz, covering 11.9 km and 815 altitude meters before returning to the starting point.

The shorter "Nature Park Anniversary Tour" variant makes the theme trail also accessible to families with children and leisurely hikers. It also starts at Acherkogel top station and ends at Issbrücke bridge in Kühtai. From the bus stop there, you can easily return to Oetz by public bus.

The crossing variant runs largely away from the main theme trail and features short but challenging climbs. Therefore it is aimed at ambitious and surefooted hikers. It also starts at Acherkogel top station and ends at the bus stop not far from Mittergrathütte in Kühtai. From here you return to Oetz by public bus.

Audio guide

The Miners Trail is not only worth seeing for its scenic beauty, it's also worth listening to! Thanks to the smartphone audio guide, you will delve deep into the mining history of Hochoetz at 14 stations along the theme trail. You will also learn more about the mined minerals, tools, flora and fauna, life in the miners house plus many other exciting stories and legends.

How it works:

Download the free Hearonymus app to your smartphone using the QR code provided or alternatively use the app provider's website HERE.
Scan the QR code on the information signs along the trail to play the recordings.

The audio guide is available in German and English. A particularly appealing feature: one version spoken in authentic Ötztal dialect is available.

Back to overview

recommended route

Knappenweg circular route - with audio guide

Thematic Trail · Ötztal

Responsible for this content
Ötztal

Photo: Ötztal Tourismus Büro Oetz, Ötztal

Selected alternatives for you

PANORAMARESTAURANT HOCHOETZ -> Bielefelder Hut -> Weather Cross -> Wörgetal -> Pucher Lake -> Knappenhaus -> Obere Issalm -> Balbach-> PANORAMARESTAURANT HOCHOETZ

difficult

Distance 11.9 km

5:45 h

815 m

2,583 m

1,930 m

Ascent with the Acherkogelbahn at the outskirts of Oetz. The starting point of the hike is the Panoramic Restaurant Hochoetz at 2,020 m above sea level. From there, a wide forest road initially leads towards the Bielefelder Hut. Afterwards, a steep ascent begins, which shortly below the Brunnenkopf summit turns into a gently running ridge path. This winds attractively along the mountainside.

At a fork in the path, the ascent to Rosskopf branches off to the left, while the trail continues to the weather cross, which you reach after a moderate climb. From the summit, there is an impressive panorama of the Stubai Alps and the Mieming chain, ideal for a short rest with a view.

The descent takes place on the back of the weather cross down into the wild romantic Wörgetal. A narrow trail winds through this secluded valley section to the Knappenhaus with stamp mill, a faithfully reconstructed ore processing plant. Here you dive deep into the over 350-year mining history of the region. A real highlight of the route.

A little further, the path leads past the idyllic Pucher Lake, then over the now dilapidated Obere Issalm. Here the path branches left to the Balbach Alm. Two short but steep ascents lead through a dreamlike landscape: past stone pines and fragrant alpine roses. The Balbach Alm invites you to a cozy stop, ideal for a break with Tyrolean delicacies. Finally, the return takes place via the so-called "Glück auf Weg" through the gentle slopes full of alpine roses towards the Hochoetz mountain station, where the loop closes.

The entire route is about 11.9 kilometers long, classified as demanding, and takes about 5-6 hours to complete. The best time for this route is between June and October.

Tip: Use the free audio guide Hearonymus and experience the Knappenweg with exciting stories directly on the trail!

Author’s recommendation

A rest is especially recommended at the Pucher Lake below the Knappenhaus! The idyllic lake invites you to dream and let your soul dangle!

Author

Ötztal Tourismus Büro Oetz

Responsible for this content
Ötztal

Difficulty

T3 difficult

Overall difficulty

difficult

Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

2,583 m

Lowest point

1,930 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Track types

Dirt road

1.4 km

Forested/wild trail

558 m

Path

9.9 km

Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Bielefelder Hütte
Balbach Alm
Kühtaile Alm

Safety information

Moderately difficult mountain route, suitable for sure-footed and experienced mountain hikers. Good physical condition, mountain experience and mountain equipment (see equipment) required. Please note the current weather report at: https://www.oetztal.com/en/summer.html

Tips and suggestions

More information about hiking in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/hiking

Public transport

Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The terminus or exit point is the ÖTZTAL train station. Afterwards, you can travel conveniently and quickly with public transport or local taxi companies through the entire valley to your desired destination! The current bus schedule is available at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

Directions

Oetz is located in the west of Austria in the federal state of TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, plan the optimal route from your home with the route planner online at: https://www.google.at/maps

Parking

The following parking options are available:

Acherkogelbahn parking lot (fee required)

Rafting entry point parking lot (at the outskirts of Oetz on the right side) (fee required)

Oetz central parking lot (fee required)

Overnight parking during multi-day tours: Central parking lot Oetz, the ticket is available at the Oetz information office.

Coordinates

DD

47.211927, 10.931913

DMS

47°12'42.9"N 10°55'54.9"E

UTM

32T 646291 5230525

w3w

///buzzed.deceives.welcomed

Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Author’s map recommendations

Kompass #043 | Ötztal Alps Ötztal, Pitztal | 1:50,000

Equipment

Appropriate equipment such as breathable and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing, ankle-high hiking boots, wind, rain and sun protection, hat, possibly gloves, is required for all hikes and routes. Carrying a first aid kit, a mobile phone and possibly a hiking map, as well as sufficient provisions for hikes without any refreshment options, is necessary.

Localization

Parts of this content were machine translated using German as the source language

Similar routes nearby

Knappenweg - Nature Park Anniversary route - with audio guide
Hochoetz - contemplative pathway
Knappenweg Crossing
WIDI’s theme trail - All senses! The adventure path with sharp perception
WIDI's Theme Trail - Aim High! The route for summit conquerors

These suggestions were generated by our system

Difficulty

T3 difficult

Overall difficulty

difficult

Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

Distance

11.9 km

Duration

5:45 h

Ascent

815 m

Descent

815 m

Highest point

2,583 m

Lowest point

1,930 m

Linear route Scenic Cultural/historical interest

Statistics

Waypoints

Rest stops

Content
Show images Hide images

Features

Maps and trails

13 Waypoints

Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom

Distance

Duration

Ascent

Descent

Elevation profile

Highlights along the trail

The Miners Trail is a unique highlight and landscape, leading through spectacular mountain scenery. And yet, there are highlights along the theme route that you simply must see, feel - and yes - even smell.

Obere Issalm

A legendary resting place: Obere Issalm served as a storage area and rest stop during the mining era. The alpine pasture owes its name to an old legend, just listen to the story on site and take a deep breath.

Alpine stone pine

Can you smell the wonderful scent? Right, it's the alpine stone pine known as the queen of the Alps. Between Obere Issalm and the Miners House, you will pass a small alpine stone pine forest: listen to what a bird has to do with the tree's survival.

Miners house

Once a base camp for miners, today a place of strength for hikers: originally built in the 17th century, the miners house was rebuilt true to original in 2005 - there are still exhibits to see (and hear) such as tools, stones and the miners' clothing.

Stamp mill

A true medieval engineering feat: ancient stamp mills were among the first machines used in mining. The crusher - a large and heavy hammer - crushed the rocks. If there is enough water, you can see this unique system in action!

Pochersee lake

A heart and a legend: if you approach this beautiful mountain lake from the right side, you will immediately notice the heart-shaped body of water. The legend that gives the lake its name is less “heartfelt”. Pause for a moment and listen to the mystical story.

Good to know

How do I reach the starting point of the hikes, and how do I get back? Are there places to stop for refreshments along the route? Here you will find useful information about the Miners Trail.

Acherkogel and Ochsengarten gondola lifts take you comfortably up to the starting point of the main Miners Trail (the main tour also ends here). Special tip: free daily gondola rides with your Summer Card.

The Miners Trail anniversary tour ends at Issbrücke bridge in Kühtai. From here, you can take the public bus back to Oetz. Please find the timetable HERE.

Parking options for a fee are available at Acherkogel and Ochsengarten gondola base stations. Special tip: use valley-wide public transport lines that run every half hour (free with your Summer Card).

Culinary refreshment stops: Almhof Mareil, Alm & Berghotel Marlstein, Iss Alm; restaurants & inns in Ochsengarten; restaurants & inns in Hochoetz: Balbach Alm, Kühtaile Alm, Bielefelder Hütte, Acherberger Alm, Panoramarestaurant

Accommodation options in Hochoetz: Bielefelder Hütte, Balbach Alm, Kühtaile Alm, Acherberger Alm