Ötztal Trek Route 2

For climbers who are sure-footed, fearless of heights, and experienced in high alpine terrain; excellent physical condition, extensive mountain experience, alpine climbing equipment, safety and orientation tools, and good weather conditions recommended. Please note the current weather report.

Access – from Sölden via Fiegl’s hut in the Windachtal and the Seekarsee to the Hochstubaihütte approx. 5.5 hours ascent; alternatively, a scheduled bus from Sölden to Fiegl’s hut in the Windachtal – then another approx. 3.5 hours ascent to the Hochstubaihütte

More info about hiking in the Ötztal: www.oetztal.com/wandern 

Kompass hiking map (available at Ötztal Tourism information offices)

Stage 6:

From the hut, we first take the access route in reverse direction over the Seekarsee. Then follows the passage over the so-called Himmelsleiter, through which the path descends in switchbacks. Ropes and stone steps make the passage easier. We walk flat out to an emergency shelter (key hangs next to the door), before the path leads down to the Seekarsee in steeper terrain. Below the lake, you turn left and take the path that runs eastwards. After the swampy fringes of the Warenkar, the path snakes up in switchbacks to the notch at Windachferner. You descend onto the glacier and follow the path up to the Jochdohle restaurant in the ski area. Beyond, on the Gaiskarferner, it goes southeast down to a rock ridge until we continue downhill to reach the Hildesheimer Hut.

Stage 7:

We first hike down the hut access path from the Windachtal, then descend left down to the Gaiskarbach. Next, the moraine of the impressive and famous Pfaffenferner is crossed, before partially climbing over blockwork to the Gamsplatzl (shortly before there are some rope protections). Visible are the Zuckerhütl at 3,507 m and the most spectacular peaks of the Ötztal Alps. Beyond, the path initially descends in switchbacks in steep terrain and then continues descending to the Triebenkarsee below the tongue of the Triebenkarlasferner. Then follows a section without significant altitude changes; the path crosses the steep slopes of the Scheiblehn and finally leads comfortably uphill to the Siegerland Hut.

Stage 8:

Along the old smuggler paths, we hike to the Windachscharte at 2,862 m. There we cross the Austrian/Italian border, a historically well-used crossing. With beautiful views into the Passeier Valley, it goes slightly downhill to the Timmelsalm. Just below, we meet the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, a popular crossing from the Ötztal to South Tyrol. From here, it is not far to the Hochfirst guesthouse, which is located directly on the high alpine road.


Stage 9:

From the Hochfirst guesthouse, you climb up to the Timmelsjoch. From the Timmelsjoch rest house, the path leads past several small lakes and rises gently throughout. The Wannenkar is crossed as well as the Röten- and the Wietenkar. Then you climb in switchbacks through steep, rocky terrain to the Wannenkarsattel. From here, it follows the ridge uphill to the Wilden Rötespitz, the highest point of this hike. The Ötztaler Wildspitze, the magnificent Weißkugel, and the Stubaier Zuckerhütl are among the sights on the platter. Slightly descending, the path leads to the Brunnenkogelhaus at the summit of the Vorderer Brunnenkogel. For the descent to Sölden, choose the path to the Brunnenberg Alm (approx. 2.5 h) or to the Fiegl’s hut in the Windachtal (approx. 2 h). From here, you can take the Windach line (bus) to Sölden (saves approx. 2 h). To get to the starting point of the next stage, take the scheduled bus from Sölden to Obergurgl.