Toprecommended route
Stage 2
Long Distance Hiking
· Ötztal
Ötztaler Urweg E2 Oetz - Niederthai
Ötztal Verified partner
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Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
STAGE 2:
OETZ –> Weller Bridge –> Habichen Lake –> Elisabeth's Height –> Tumpen –> Engelswand –> Lehn Platzl –> Church of Mary Snow –> Farstrinne –> Wienersteig –> Steppsteig –> Stuibenfall –> NIEDERTHAI
FROM THE QUIET LAKE TO THE TURBULENT WATERFALL
Historical facade paintings shape the appearance of the old town center of Oetz, through which today's stage takes us. It goes through some of the most original places. One of them is the former “ice cellar” of Habichen. Near the small lake fed by cold mountain water, the Habichen Lake, there is a rock slab through which cold air flows via underground tunnel systems.
At Tumpen, the Ötztal opens up, blooming wide meadows framed by steep rock walls now accompany the next kilometers. In the middle is a picturesque little church, Maria Schnee, a popular pilgrimage site! From quiet forest and meadow hiking, it continues extremely turbulently; the Stuibenfall, Tyrol's largest waterfall, must still be overcome. Close at hand, the masses of water plunge over the fall, the path and steps construction offer an unforgettable experience. Once at the top, the sunny plateau Niederthai invites you to linger.
Ötztal Verified partner
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Rest stops
Waldcafe StuböbeleSafety information
Moderately difficult mountain path; suitable for sure-footed and experienced mountain hikers; good physical condition, mountain experience, and mountain equipment (see under equipment) are necessary. Please pay attention to the current weather report.
Tips and suggestions
Did you know…
...that the “ice cellar” of Habichen was used as a refrigerator to store perishable food until the 1960s due to its cold underground air currents?
More information about hiking in the Ötztal: www.oetztal.com/wandern
Roadbook
From the central car park, turn right onto Achrainweg and follow the path parallel to the Ötztaler Ache. You stroll comfortably along a gravel path beside the Ache and the meadows up to the edge of the forest and the impressive Weller Bridge. At the Weller Bridge, keep left and follow the signs towards Habichen.
Go up some steps into the forest and after a short time arrive on the western side of the hamlet. There you follow the path across the fields and keep right before the underpass. After crossing the bridge, turn right at the next fork and immediately leave the settlement behind.
Passing the Habichen ice cellar, you continue to the hidden Habichen Lake. From there, you walk slightly uphill and later pleasantly flat along the Tumpenbach. Turning left, the path leads steeply over Elisabeth's Height to Tumpen. You walk comfortably along the forest road, past the Engelswand, the district of Lehn Platz, and the chapel of Mary Snow.
After the bridge over the Farstrinne, head left slightly uphill into the dense forest to the Wienersteig. Then follow the Steppsteig up to the foot of the mighty Stuibenfall, the largest waterfall in Tyrol.
Up the stairs, you finally reach the district of Niederthai along the cascading waters.
Habicher See
Waldcafe Stuböbele
Stuibenfall Waterfall - Tirol´s biggest waterfall
Public transport
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal railway station. The final stop or exit point is 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 schedule is available at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at
Directions
Car travel to the ÖTZTAL. Located in Tyrol, the Ötztal branches off to the south as the longest side valley of the Eastern Alps. The journey by car takes holidaymakers along the Inn Valley to the valley entrance and further along the Ötztal. In addition to the toll highway, country roads can also be used. With the route planner, your trip can be quickly and conveniently determined: For the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps
Parking
The following parking options are available in Oetz:
- Acherkogelbahn car park | paid | camping prohibited
- Rafting entry point car park (at the end of Oetz on the right side) - paid, but limited parking spaces (alternatively Acherkogelbahn 150 m), camping prohibited
- Central car park Oetz | paid
- Overnight parking during multi-day tours: central car park Oetz | The ticket is available at the Oetz information office.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Kompass hiking map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)
Equipment
Appropriate equipment such as breathable and weather-appropriate outdoor clothing is necessary for all hikes and routes. Carrying a first aid kit, a mobile phone, and possibly a hiking map, as well as sufficient provisions for hikes without the possibility of stops, is necessary.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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