Long Distance Hiking

Ötztaler Urweg detour E5 Sölden - Hochgurgl Crosspoint (continue by bus to Obergurgl)

Ötztal
Top
Medium
Key facts
5:30 h Duration
14.18 km Length
1088 m Ascent
262 m Descent
2,193 m Max. altitude
1,348 m Min. altitude
Stamina
Landscape
Quality of Experience
Best Season
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Description

STAGE 5: SÖLDEN –> Mooserstegle –> Kühtrainschlucht –> Zwieselstein –> Sahne Stüberl -> HOCHGURGL CROSSPOINT

Map & elevation profile

STAGE 5: SÖLDEN –> Mooserstegle –> Kühtrainschlucht –> Zwieselstein –> Sahne Stüberl -> HOCHGURGL CROSSPOINT

TWO BLOOMING SKI RESORTS IN SUMMER

The quiet and loud Sölden, undeniably the pioneering achievement the town has made in skiing. Action-packed James Bond film location, meeting place of the greats in skiing, or the open-air drama Hannibal, these highlights and many more annually attract young and old alike. And then Sölden's quiet side, pure origin in the Windach Valley, energy and strength seekers find their source here year-round. Besides impressive mountain landscapes, you find the most lively and current element in the Ötztal: water. Visiting the Mooserstegle Waalweg promises a glimpse into the past, where waals guided precious water into dry areas of the valley village for agriculture!

Further down the valley where the Ötztal diverges, you pass a small village whose name already includes the geological location. At Zwieselstein, two powerful mountain rivers converge, the Venter and the Gurgler Ache, here forming the Ötztaler Ache. The path leads us to the Gurgler valley, up to 1,930m to the glacier and ski resort of Obergurgl.

Author's tip

To "save" the last meters downhill, we recommend the bus from Hochgurgl to Obergurgl
Schedule: www.vvt.at 

For holders of the Summer Card, the bus is free of charge.

Regions & Places

Austria (Country)
Tyrol (Province)
Bezirk Imst (District)
Ötztal (Tourism area)
Gurgl (Tourism area)
Sölden (Tourism area)
Gemeinde Sölden (Commune)

Mountain areas

Alps (Mountain area)
Stubai Alps (Mountain area)
Ötztal Alps (Mountain area)
Modified at 24.03.2026 · Created at 07.06.2021

Characteristics

Linear route

Way types

Asphalt 742.75 m
Schotterweg 450.71 m
Naturweg 574.72 m
Pfad 11.07 km
Straße 1.34 km

Safety guidelines

Moderately difficult mountain trail; suitable for sure-footed and experienced mountain hikers; good physical condition, mountain experience, and mountain equipment (see equipment section) necessary. Please observe the current weather report.

Hiking difficulty

Hiking trail - sometimes steep or narrow. Danger of falling cannot be ruled out. Basic surefootedness and orientation skills are an advantage.

Additional information

Did you know that…
… Obergurgl, at 1,930 m above sea level, is considered the highest church village in Austria.

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

From the Sölden information center, the path leads past the social center and becomes a steep ascent there. On the panoramic ridge, follow the Sonnenwinklweg before it turns into a narrower trail. From there, descend into the Windau district, cross the street, and hike along the Ötztaler Ache valley inward. At the next fork in the path, keep left and turn right behind the houses. Then follow the path into the forest where you meet a section of the Mooserstegle Waalweg. Continue hiking above the Platte district to the Moosalm. From there, continue through the Kühtrainschlucht gorge to Zwieselstein. From there, a steep, wide gravel path with switchbacks leads to the ridge. Afterwards, hike on a slightly ascending, later descending trail through light forest, past the waterfall to the Sahne Stüberl.

From the Sahne Stüberl, climb steeply again about 400 meters in elevation to the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road. Upon reaching the road, the last meters lead comfortably above the road into the valley to the Top Mountain Crosspoint.

To save the last arduous descent meters, we recommend taking the bus from there to Obergurgl.

Public transit

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

Starting point

Sölden

Getting there

The car ride into the ÖTZTAL. Located in Tyrol, the Ötztal branches southwards as the longest side valley of the Eastern Alps. Traveling by car takes visitors through the Inn Valley up to the valley entrance and further along the Ötztal. Besides the toll highway, country roads can also be used. Your drive can be quickly and conveniently planned with the route planner: Route planner: www.google.at/maps 

Parking

The following parking options are available in Sölden:

  • Postplatz parking lot
  • Stiegele parking lot
  • Step parking lot
  • Giggijochbahn + underground garage
  • Gaislachkoglbahn + underground garage
  • Hochsölden parking lot
  • Hochsölden parking garage 1st parking deck
  • Zwieselstein parking lot
  • Zwieselstein/Sports field parking lot

All parking spaces are subject to a fee. 

For parking over several days (e.g., hut tour):

  • Postplatz, parking ticket available at the Sölden information center
  • Gaislachkoglbahn parking garage, parking ticket either online or directly at the Gaislachkoglbahn ticket counter

Coordinates

11.009025, 46.969223
Plan arrival

Sunday, 14.06.
Often sunny and warm
Good weather for outdoor activities
Morning
14 °C
10%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
26 °C
30%
Rainfall risk
Monday, 15.06.
Not entirely stable—and a bit cooler
Morning
12 °C
40%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
23 °C
30%
Rainfall risk

The tour is within these protected areas.

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

Appropriate equipment such as breathable and weather-appropriate 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 when hiking without the option to stop for food, is necessary.