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Snowshoe & Winterwalking

Long Distance Hiking recommended route Stage 2

Ötztaler Urweg E2 Oetz - Niederthai

Long Distance Hiking · Ötztal
Logo Ötztal
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Ötztal Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
STAGE 2: 

OETZ –> Weller Bridge –>  Habicher See –> Elisabeths Höhe –> Tumpen –> Engelswand –> Lehn Platzl –> Maria Schnee –> Farstrinne –> Wienersteig –> Steppsteig –> Stuiben Falls –> NIEDERTHAI

moderate
Distance 15.3 km
5:30 h
1,069 m
305 m
1,542 m
776 m
FROM A SECLUDED MOUNTAIN LAKE TO THE RUSHING WATERFALLS

 

The old village center of Oetz is characterized by historical façade paintings. This stage travels right through this picture-book area deeply rooted in the valley's history. One of the authentic places is Habichen's former "Ice Cellar" near the small Habicher See lake fed by ice cold mountain waters: the cold air is led through tiny underground tunnels into a small rock crevice.

 

At the height of Tumpen the Ötztal is a wide open valley with green meadows in full bloom, surrounded by steep rock faces. On the next kilometers the route travels past the picturesque little Maria Schnee church, a popular place of pilgrimage! From quiet forest paths and meadow trails you now proceed towards an extremely turbulent white water area – the Stuiben Falls, Tirol's biggest waterfall. Huge masses of mountain waters are rushing into the cleft, only a stone's throw away from the hiking trail and the vantage platforms which make for a memorable experience. Once on top, the sunny Alpine plateau of Niederthai invites you to enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Profile picture of Judith Schöpf
Author
Judith Schöpf
Update: April 25, 2024
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,542 m
Lowest point
776 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 12.62%Dirt road 6.67%Forested/wild trail 24.29%Path 45.69%Road 10.71%
Asphalt
1.9 km
Dirt road
1 km
Forested/wild trail
3.7 km
Path
7 km
Road
1.6 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

Moderate mountain trail; for sure-footed and experienced hikers. Good physical condition, mountain experience & mountain equipment (see notice equipment) necessary. Please pay attention to the current weather report

Tips and hints

Did you know that…

... the "Ice Cellar" of Habichen was still used as a refrigerator to store perishable food until the 1960s because of its ice cold air streams coming from the underground.

 

More details about hiking In Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/wandern 

Start

Oetz
Coordinates:
DD
47.202555, 10.898589
DMS
47°12'09.2"N 10°53'54.9"E
UTM
32T 643793 5229422
w3w 
///laudable.dwarfish.accordance

Destination

Niederthai

Turn-by-turn directions

From the central car park, turn right into Achrainweg and follow the path parallel to Ötztaler Ache river. You walk comfortably on a gravel trail along the rivershore and the meadows until you get to the edge of the forest and the splendid Weller Bridge. At the Weller Bridge you keep left and follow the signs towards Habichen.
A few steps lead into the forest and after a shorttime to the western part of the hamlet. There you follow the route across the meadows, keeping to the right in front of the underpass.
After crossing the bridge, you turn right at the next fork-off and immediately leave the settlement behind you. Past Habichen‘s Ice Cellar you reach hidden lake Habicher See. From there you walk slightly uphill, and later on a level trail, along the shore of Tumpenbach brook. Branching off to the left, the route leads steeply uphill to Tumpen via Elisabeth‘s Höhe. Followed by a leisurely walk along the forest path, past Engelswandrock face, the hamlets of Lehn Platzl and the Maria Schnee chapel.
After the bridge crossing Farstrinne you turn left (uphill) into the dense forest to Wienersteig trail. Later Steppsteig takes you straight up to the foot of the mighty Stuiben Falls - Tirol‘s biggest waterfall. Countless stairs in close vicinity to the falling water masses finally take you up to the hamlet of Niederthai.

Public transport

Travel safe and comfortable with the train to the Ötztal Bahnhof train station. Last stop and exit point is the train station Ötztal Bahnhof. Afterwards you can travel smoothly and quick with the public transport or our local taxi companies through the valley to your desired destination. Please find the current bus timetable here: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

Directions

The car drive to the Ötztal valley. Situated in Tirol, the Ötztal valley set off in southerly direction and is the longest side valley in the Eastern Alps. The journey with the car leads you through the Inntal valley to the entrance of the valley and further on through the valley. Among the toll motorways you can also use the country roads. A route planner will show you the easiest and most convenient way: https://www.google.at/maps

Parking

The following parking facilities are available in Oetz:

- Acherkogelbahn Parking Lot | Fee required | Camping prohibited

- Rafting Entry Point Parking (located at the outskirts of Oetz on the right side) | Free, but limited spaces available (Alternatively, Acherkogelbahn parking 150 m away) | Camping prohibited

- Oetz Town Center Parking | chargeable

- Overnight parking during multi-day tours: Oetz Town Center Parking | The ticket is available at the Oetz Information Office.

Coordinates

DD
47.202555, 10.898589
DMS
47°12'09.2"N 10°53'54.9"E
UTM
32T 643793 5229422
w3w 
///laudable.dwarfish.accordance
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Author’s map recommendations

Kompass Hiking Map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)

Equipment

Appropriate equipment such as breathable suitable outdoor clothes for the weather, is for all hikes and tours necessary. Please bring a first-aid box, a mobile phone, a walking map and if there is no hut on the way a snack and enough to drink.

Similar routes nearby

  • Ötztaler Urweg E12 Sautens - Haiming - Ötztal Bhf
  • Ötztaler Urweg
  • Ötztaler Urweg E1 Ötztal Bhf - Oetz
  • Ötztal Trek
  • Ötztal Trek Route 1
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
15.3 km
Duration
5:30 h
Ascent
1,069 m
Descent
305 m
Highest point
1,542 m
Lowest point
776 m

Statistics

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  • 3 Waypoints
  • 3 Waypoints
Distance  km
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