Stuibenfall Umhausen circular hike

Easy hiking trail; suitable for beginners as well

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Stuibenfall

• A scientific study on the health-promoting effects of the Stuibenfall for patients with sports asthma showed an increase in lung function of 58%.
• If you spend one hour in the spray area of the waterfall two to three weeks in a row, this method works better than conventional cortisone sprays.

WATER IN THE ÖTZTAL

Water, the defining element of the Ötztal.

Freshwater melted from glaciers by the sun feeds the meadows and the Ötztaler Ache, which runs through the 65 km-long valley. The catchment area of the Ötztaler Ache covers 893 km² with an elevation spanning about 700 to 3,774 m. This glacial meltwater fills the population's water reservoir and ensures drinking water supply.

Glaciers store three quarters of all freshwater reserves and are thus the largest natural water reservoirs in the world.

In 1770, advancing ice repeatedly dammed large lakes, which, when they burst, caused catastrophic floods throughout the Ötztal valley and even the Inn valley. The natural hazard motivated people increasingly to engage with their environment and fostered glacier research. The diversity of water in the Ötztal serves not only science. The Ötztal glaciers are also recreational areas for residents and guests as these "ice wonders" also serve as hiking and especially skiing areas. Moreover, glacial meltwater has made possible action-packed recreational activities like rafting, white-water rafting, and many more.

More information about hiking in the Ötztal can be found here 

• Compass hiking map | Scale: 1:35,000 
• Local information Umhausen summer
• Brochure "Power places" in the heart of the Ötztal

The start of the hike is at the Bischoffsplatz parking lot in Umhausen. From there, follow the wide Fortsweg behind the Kneipphäusl restaurant uphill to the junction leading to the "Waalweg Arzwinkel." The path calmly winds along the Waale until you reach a gravel road. There, turn right along the bubbling Horlachbach stream uphill to the foot of the mighty waterfall, the Stuibenfall - Tyrol's largest waterfall. Always with a view of this fascinating natural spectacle, continue to the right of the cascading waters, climbing over about 700 steps to the origin of the Stuibenfall. Along the way, you pass scenic platforms and the 80-meter-long suspension bridge.

At the top, continue across a picturesque mountain meadow to the Stuibenfall guesthouse. From there the hike continues uphill to the Höfle district and then descends via the Umhauser Höhenweg back to Umhausen. Once back in the valley, you reach a large intersection. From there, enjoy a leisurely walk along the signposted Steppsteig trail to the "Stuiben-Nannele," then cross the gravel path and follow a forest trail past the Ötzi Village and the Umhausen natural swimming lake, returning to the starting point of the hike. Cooling off in the Kneipp facility located at the Bischoffsplatz parking lot is recommended.