Long Distance Hiking recommended route

Ötztal Trek Route 5

Long Distance Hiking · Ötztal
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  • Braunschweiger Hütte
    Braunschweiger Hütte
    Photo: Roland Grüner, Ötztal
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    ETAPPE 18 – 20

    Braunschweiger Hütte (2.758 m) – Mainzer Höhenweg – Rüsselsheimer Hütte (2.328 m) – Luibisscharte (2.914 m) – Hauerseehütte (2.383 m) – Felderjöchl (2.797 m) – Frischmannhütte (2.192 m)

    difficult
    Distance 29.1 km
    13:00 h
    2,637 m
    3,205 m
    2,912 m
    1,603 m
    ACROSS GEIGENKAMM – MAINZER HÖHENWEG

    Elevation gain: 2,600 meters ascent; 3,200 meters descentDistance: 27 km

    The Mainzer Höhenweg is a classic for mountaineers. On the Geigenkamm ridge, mountaineering is both pristine and peaceful. Climbers can expect challenging yet stunningly beautiful stages.

    Profile picture of Roland Grüner
    Author
    Roland Grüner 
    Update: January 31, 2025
    Difficulty
    T6 difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Highest point
    2,912 m
    Lowest point
    1,603 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
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    Jun
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    Track types

    Asphalt 11.57%Dirt road 6.17%Path 19.91%Road 2.10%Unknown 60.23%
    Asphalt
    3.4 km
    Dirt road
    1.8 km
    Path
    5.8 km
    Road
    0.6 km
    Unknown
    17.5 km
    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    For experienced mountaineers that are free from vertigo & surefooted, Very good physical condition, mountain experience & mountain equipment (see notice equipment) necessary, such as alpine security material, good weather conditions recommended. Please pay attention to the current weather report

    Tips and suggestions

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

    Roadbook

    Stage 18:

    Three three-thousanders are crossed here on the Geigenkamm, ensuring panoramic views in all directions. We hike briefly upwards from the Braunschweiger Hütte and follow the route below the Pitztaler Jöchl, following the left direction into the Silbergrube descent. The route ascends to the ridge and runs ascending or descending on or beside the broad ridge. The Wurmsitzkogel (3,079 m) and the Gschrappkogel (3,197 m) are the first three-thousanders to be climbed during the tour, followed by the Wassertalkogel (3,252 m). There stands the orange-colored Rheinland-Pfalz-Biwak, accommodating 12 people (accessible without a key). From the Wassertalkogel, we descend over a glacier field, then traverse another glacier field, and after one last glacier field crossing, a scrambling section awaits. The path leads to the Weißmaurachjoch, and after descending the Weißmaurachkar, we reach the Rüsselsheimer Hütte after around 10 hours.

     

    Stage 19:

     

    We initially follow the path behind the hut to the east for a while, then turn left towards the viewpoint Gahwinden. From Gahwinden, we hike down through scree into the Rötkarle, where the trail then ascends - continuing towards the Kapuzinerjöchl. There, we descend in steep terrain with the aid of ropes. We hike up to the Breitlehnjöchl. From there, the trail leads slightly upward - then downward. Eventually, the route leads up to the Sandjöchl. At a fork in the path, a very challenging section begins - it ascends steeply to the Luibisscharte. Soon, we enter the crevasse-free Hauerferner. There is also a footbridge on the right-hand side leading down from the glacier field! It crosses the flat upper part of the glacier towards the east. Due to rockfall, the further path between the glacier and the Hauerseehütte is officially closed, an alternative route leads northeast along the glacier and after the glacier passage, descends to the right of a rock head towards the Hauerseehütte.

     

    Stage 20:

     

    The first mountain lake is already located right at the starting point and has given its name to the small Hauerseehütte. We first descend slightly and pass by the Lower Spitzigsee. Then, we descend through the rear Innerberg valley in a northwestern direction. The trail runs on the slopes above the Felderkar. Then we need to exert ourselves a bit: the route ascends in switchbacks to the White Lake below the nearly 2,800 m high Felderjöchl, which represents the barrier over to the Frischmannhütte. We pass to the right of the lake, then the secured trail winds soon in rocky, very steep terrain and again in switchbacks up to the Felderjöchl. Beyond, we first descend quite steeply, then comfortably hike through the Fernerkar below the Ploderferner. Later, the route leads mostly briskly downhill eastward under the Griesköpfe. The last meters finally lead over alpine meadows to the Frischmannhütte.

     

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    Public transport

    Travel safe and comfortable with the train to the Ötztal Bahnhof train station. Last stop and exit point is the train station Ötztal Bahnhof. Afterwards you can travel smoothly and quick with the public transport or our local taxi companies through the valley to your desired destination. Please find the current bus timetable here: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

    Directions

    The car drive to the Ötztal valley. Situated in Tirol, the Ötztal valley set off in southerly direction and is the longest side valley in the Eastern Alps. The journey with the car leads you through the Inntal valley to the entrance of the valley and further on through the valley. Among the toll motorways you can also use the country roads. A route planner will show you the easiest and most convenient way: https://www.google.at/maps

    Parking

    The following parking facilities are available in Sölden:

     

    - Parking lot

    - parking lot Stiegele

    - stair parking

    - Giggijochbahn + underground garage

    - Gaislachkoglbahn + underground garage

    - Parking Hochsölden

    - parking garage Hochsölden 1. parking lot

    - parking Zwieselstein

    - parking Zwieselstein / sports ground

     All parking is chargeable

     

    Parking for several days (eg hike tour):

    - car par Gaislachkoglbahn | Parkticket either online or directly at the cash desk of the Gaislachkoglbahn

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.935153, 10.909561
    DMS
    46°56'06.6"N 10°54'34.4"E
    UTM
    32T 645349 5199727
    w3w 
    ///mildest.samosa.bailer
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Author’s map recommendations

    Kompass Hiking Map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)

    Equipment

    Appropriate equipment such as breathable suitable outdoor clothes for the weather, is for all hikes and tours necessary. Please bring a first-aid box, a mobile phone, a walking map and if there is no hut on the way a snack and enough to drink.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Ötztal Trek Stage 18
    • European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King's Segment – Braunschweiger Hut to Vent (alternative route)
    • European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King’s Segment – Braunschweiger Hut to Zwieselstein (original route)
    • Europäischer Fernwanderweg E5 - Variante - von der Braunschweiger Hütte nach Vernagt am See im Schnalstal
    • Ötztal Trek Stage 19
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    T6 difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    29.1 km
    Duration
    13:00 h
    Ascent
    2,637 m
    Descent
    3,205 m
    Highest point
    2,912 m
    Lowest point
    1,603 m

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