Long Distance Hiking

Ötztal Trek Stage 15

Vent
Stage
Top
Hard
Key facts
2:30 h Duration
6.47 km Length
332 m Ascent
845 m Descent
3,482 m Max. altitude
2,750 m Min. altitude
Stamina
Landscape
Quality of Experience
Best Season
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Description

Brandenburger Haus (3,274 m) –> Fluchtkogel (3,497 m) –> Vernagthütte (2,755 m)

Map & elevation profile

Brandenburger Haus (3,274 m) –> Fluchtkogel (3,497 m) –> Vernagthütte (2,755 m)
  • Route: path, trail
  • Requirements: sure-footedness, no fear of heights, high alpine experience
  • Mountain trail black, partially alpine route
  • Difficulties: passage across Kesselwand, Guslarferner and over glacier slope from the pass to the Fluchtkogel (each with crevasses); mountain guide recommended!
  • Equipment: usually crampons, ice axe; rope in any case; roping on the glacier
  • Overnight stay, refreshment: Brandenburger Haus, Vernagthütte

Regions & Places

Austria (Country)
Tyrol (Province)
Bezirk Imst (District)
Bezirk Landeck (District)
Ötztal (Tourism area)
Tyrolean Oberland (Tourism area)
Vent (Tourism area)
Gemeinde Sölden (Commune)
Kaunertal (Commune)

Mountain areas

Alps (Mountain area)
Ötztal Alps (Mountain area)
Modified at 24.03.2026 · Created at 04.08.2016

Characteristics

Linear route
Scenic
Refreshment stops available

Way types

Unbekannt 6.47 km

Safety guidelines

For non-fearful of heights, sure-footed, and highly alpine experienced climbers; excellent physical condition, comprehensive mountain experience, alpine climbing equipment, securing and orientation means, good weather conditions recommended. Please observe the current weather report

Hiking difficulty

Extremely steep terrain - this may include long climbing sections (II - III UIAA), extremely steep grassy slopes, steep snowfields and glacier passages. Usually pathless, very exposed terrain, with an increased risk of falling over extended stretches.

Additional information

Did you know that…
...the Kesselwandferner has increased in size since 1971 despite glacier melting?

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

Recommended maps

Kompass hiking map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)

THE GLACIER CASTLE AND A GRAND SUMMIT

The hike runs from the Brandenburger Haus through blockwork about 50 meters down to the Kesselwandferner. Then you cross the glacier in a northeast direction to the Upper Guslarjoch. Only about 150 meters separate the Upper Guslarjoch from the 3,497-meter-high Fluchtkogel: the summit victory on this viewpoint mountain is a must. Back at the Upper Guslarjoch, you descend relatively steep terrain down to the Guslarferner. You then go flat over the first glacier floor until you have to overcome a terrain crest (especially here there is danger of crevasses). After another steep slope, we then descend southeastwards. Finally, a path in the moraine terrain or directly on the moraine ridge leads down to the Vernagthütte.

Public transit

Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The final stop or exit point is ÖTZTAL station. Then you conveniently and quickly travel through the entire valley to your desired destination by public transport or local taxi companies.

The current bus timetable is available at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

Starting point

Brandenburger Haus

Getting there

The car ride into the ÖTZTAL. Located in Tyrol, the Ötztal branches off to the south as the longest side valley of the Eastern Alps. The arrival by car leads travelers over the Inn Valley to the valley entrance and then further along the Ötztal. In addition to the toll highway, local roads can also be used. Your trip can be quickly and conveniently planned with the route planner: To the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps

Parking

In Vent, the following parking options are available:

- at the entrance of Vent | paid | multi-day ticket possible

- valley station of the chairlift | paid | multi-day ticket possible

Coordinates

10.778049, 46.844306
Plan arrival

Saturday, 13.06.
Increasingly sunny -
Warmer than recently
Morning
5 °C
40%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
17 °C
20%
Rainfall risk
Sunday, 14.06.
Often sunny and warm
Good weather for outdoor activities
Morning
6 °C
10%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
17 °C
30%
Rainfall risk

The tour is within these protected areas.

Naturpark Ötztal (Protected area)
Ötztaler Alpen (Protected area)
Ruhegebiet Ötztaler Alpen (Protected area)

Appropriate equipment such as breathable and weather-adjusted outdoor clothing 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 on hikes without refreshment options, is necessary.

Ice axe, crampons, rope | mountain guide recommended.