Ötztal Trek Stage 17
Description
Map & elevation profile
The Tour
- Trail: path, track
- Requirements: sure-footedness, freedom from fear of heights, fitness, endurance, high alpine experience
- Mountain trail black, partially alpine route
- Difficulties: glacier passage over the Rettenbachferner (crevasses, path not marked); mountain guide recommended!
- Equipment: normal hiking equipment, crampons, ice axe depending on conditions; rope in any case; roping on the glacier
- Overnight stays, refreshment: Breslauer Hut, Braunschweiger Hut, Tiefenbach Restaurant (no overnight stay)
Regions & Places
Mountain areas
Details
Characteristics
Way types
Safety guidelines
For hikers free from fear of heights, sure-footed, and highly experienced in alpine terrain; excellent physical condition, comprehensive mountain experience, alpine climbing equipment, safety and orientation devices, and good weather conditions recommended. Please note the current weather report
Hiking difficulty
Additional information
Did you know that…
...the Rofen valley was settled by shepherds from the Schnals valley (South Tyrol).
More information about hiking in the Ötztal: www.oetztal.com/hiking
Recommended maps
Kompass hiking map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)
Directions
OVER THE VENTERTAL AND IN THE ETERNAL ICE
At the beginning, you descend via a path – the route leads past the foothills of the Rofenkars. A little further down, turn left onto the new high-altitude trail, which runs outward above the Ventertal and merges into the original panoramic path Vent-Tiefenbachferner. The path then descends a bit more and ascends again above the Ventertal towards the Tiefenbach Restaurant (Tiefenbach Glacier). There, before the road tunnel, walk left up the ski slope to the Seiter Jöchl (follow the Seiter Jöchl cable car). From the Jöchl, descend northwards onto the Rettenbachferner glacier (crampons necessary)!
The hike continues left around the rock spur. Heading northwest, you cross the glacier crevasse on the mountain side and hike to the Rettenbachjoch with the lift stations. From there, descend over the footbridge to the Braunschweiger Hut.
Alternatively by bus from the Tiefenbach Glacier to the Rettenbach Glacier:
By bus from the Tiefenbach Restaurant to the valley station at the Rettenbachferner and then walk up to the uppermost parking lot of the glacier road; from there, ascend to the Pitztal Jöchl (2,996 m) – the last few meters across a crevasse-free glacier field (possibly with crampons); beyond, an easy descent to the Braunschweiger Hut;
approx. 1.75 hours from the Rettenbachferner valley station.
If the Pitztal Jöchl is closed: from the uppermost parking lot to the Rettenbachjoch (last meters easy on the glacier);
approx. 1.75 hours from the valley station to the hut.
Arrival
Public transit
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal railway station. The final stop or exit point is ÖTZTAL station. From there, you can conveniently and quickly travel by public transport or local taxis through the entire valley to your desired destination.
The current bus timetable can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at
Starting point
Getting there
The car journey into the ÖTZTAL. Located in Tyrol, the Ötztal branches southward as the longest side valley of the Eastern Alps. Traveling by car takes guests through the Inn valley to the valley entrance and then along the Ötztal. In addition to the toll motorway, country roads can also be used. With the route planner, your trip can be quickly and conveniently determined: To the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps
Parking
The following parking options are available in Vent:
- at the village entrance of Vent | paid | multi-day ticket possible
- valley station of the chairlift | paid | multi-day ticket possible
Current information
Warmer than recently
Good weather for outdoor activities
The tour is within these protected areas.
Equipment
Appropriate equipment such as breathable and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing is required for all hikes and routes. It is necessary to carry a first aid kit, a mobile phone, and possibly a hiking map, as well as sufficient provisions for hikes without refreshment options.
Ice axe, crampons, rope | mountain guide recommended.