Long Distance Hiking

Ötztaler Urweg E1 Ötztal Bhf - Oetz

Ötztal
Stage
Top
Easy
Key facts
3:30 h Duration
10.34 km Length
370 m Ascent
287 m Descent
1,033 m Max. altitude
678 m Min. altitude
Stamina
Landscape
Quality of Experience
Best Season
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Description

STAGE 1:

ÖTZTAL BAHNHOF –> Inn/Ötztaler Ache –> AREA 47 –> Brunau –> Ambach –> Auer Klamm –> Oetzerau –> OETZ

Map & elevation profile

STAGE 1:

ÖTZTAL BAHNHOF –> Inn/Ötztaler Ache –> AREA 47 –> Brunau –> Ambach –> Auer Klamm –> Oetzerau –> OETZ

GENTLE MEADOW GREEN AT THE FOOT OF THE 3,000-METER PEAK

Not far from the small village “Ötztal Bahnhof”, you will find probably the coolest outdoor adventure world in Europe. Located directly on the wild Ötztaler Ache and in the middle of a gigantic landslide area, many adrenaline seekers gather at AREA 47. Dizzying heights and thrills can also be experienced on these paths.

From the lively Ötztaler Ache to the wild romantic Auerklamm and an abandoned castle ruin. High above Oetz, the destination of this stage, rest the ruins of Auenstein Castle on a broad ridge shaped by glacial polishing. An ancient and often used connecting path leads alongside the Auerklamm up to the castle.

An impressive mountain landscape opens up from here, steep walls drop off from the northernmost 3,000-meter peak of the Eastern Alps, the Acherkogel. And down below, in the charming villages among green meadows and pastures, the natural jewel surrounded by landslide terrain, the Piburger See, nestles.

Author's tip
 
 

Regions & Places

Austria (Country)
Tyrol (Province)
Bezirk Imst (District)
Ötztal (Tourism area)
Imst Outdoor Region (Tourism area)
Haiming (Commune)
Oetz (Commune)
Roppen (Commune)

Mountain areas

Ötztal Alps (Mountain area)
Stubai Alps (Mountain area)
Alps (Mountain area)
Modified at 24.03.2026 · Created at 09.11.2017

Way types

Asphalt 1.21 km
Naturweg 5.08 km
Pfad 3.97 km
Straße 81.99 m

Safety guidelines

Easy hiking trail; suitable for beginners and walkers. Please pay attention to the current weather report.    

Hiking difficulty

Easy hiking path - wide, continuously visible path. There is no danger of falling assuming normal behavior.

Additional information

Did you know that…

...in prehistoric times, the Tschirgant mountain massif was shaken by a severe earthquake? At that time, up to 300 million cubic meters of rock fell and even displaced parts of the Ötztal on the opposite side.

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

Recommended maps

Kompass hiking map (available in the information offices of Ötztal Tourism)

The stage starts at the station square at Ötztal Bahnhof. From there, you walk through Ambergstraße and Wassertalstraße and then turn right over a gravel path under the Inn bridge. Then you cross the Ötztaler Ache and turn left. From the outdoor hotspot AREA 47, you turn right from Ötztaler Achstraße into the hamlet of Brunau.
The path continues to Ambach to the Ötztal Tourism Infopoint. There, you walk left up the hiking trail along the unique Auerklamm, the canyoning paradise of the Alps. High above, you cross a wooden bridge that spans the wild Auerklamm.
Shortly before the small village of Oetzerau, you pass the well-hidden remains of the Auenstein castle ruins. In Oetzerau, you cross the street and follow a field path towards Oetz with a wonderful view. The path descends slightly through some forest sections and past small hamlets.
A special view can be enjoyed from the viewing platform at the “Hexenplatte”. It is located about 5 minutes to the right off the path.
The further descent leads past the parish church above Oetz. The stage ends in the old town center of Oetz.

Public transit

Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal station. The final stop or exit point is the ÖTZTAL station. Afterwards, you can 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

Ötztal Bahnhof

Getting there

The car drive to ÖTZTAL. Located in Tyrol, the ÖTZTAL branches southward 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. In addition to the toll motorway, country roads can also be used. With the route planner, you can quickly and conveniently determine your trip: To the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps

Parking

The following parking options are available:

- Infopoint Ambach | paid | tickets available at the Oetz information center or at Infopoint Ambach 

Coordinates

10.859018, 47.237698
Plan arrival

Saturday, 13.06.
Increasingly sunny -
Warmer than recently
Morning
12 °C
30%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
27 °C
20%
Rainfall risk
Sunday, 14.06.
Often sunny and warm
Good weather for outdoor activities
Morning
14 °C
10%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
26 °C
30%
Rainfall risk

The tour is within these protected areas.

Tschirgant-Bergsturz (Protected area)

Appropriate equipment such as breathable and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing is required for all hikes and routes. It is necessary to bring a first aid kit, a mobile phone, and possibly a hiking map, as well as sufficient provisions for hikes without dining options.