Ötztal

Description

Ötztal

The Ötztal Alps, together with the Hohe Tauern, is one of the best known mountain destinations in Austria. The reason is this: the Ötztal is a spectacular high alpine region. This vast area of snow, ice and rock counts many trails. Many of them can be done by the average mountain hiker. Even many of the glacier crossings are not too difficult, although they obviously require the correct use of rope, ice ax and crampons.

The area forms the border between Italy and Austria. The Italian side is called Val Venoste. The weather is often fair, because the area is on the southern side of the Alps.

The center of this mountain region is the Ötztal proper. The main towns here, the best places to start your expedition, are Sölden and Vent. The valley to the west is called the Pitztal. This is as good a starting point for longer or shorter hikes. Here, Mittelberg and Imst and the places to search for. Mountain huts abound.

Among the many high mountains, the highest is the Wildspitze, 3774 m, the second highest mountain in Austria.

In 1991 two hikers found a body of a man, half buried into the ice. This man, it turned out, died 5300 years ago. The body had miraculously been preserved over the millennia. A great find, from which we can learn a lot about the earliest inhabitants of the continent. Ötzi, the iceman, is now on display in Bolzano, in his own museum.

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Opinions

Rate 7.5 | 2 votes | No 2. in Austria
  • Henk Nouws July 1990
  • Rate 8
  • Positive Easy to make a glacier tour and stay high up in the mountains.
  • Joke ter Weele July 1990
  • Rate 7
  • Positive Impressive snow fields and glaciers
  • Negative Huts can be quite busy in July and August
More opinions…

Map

Map Ötztal

Trails in this region

Books

Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2007
  • Across the Eastern Alps: E5
  • From Lake Constance in Germany, this guidebook describes walking the E5 trek that runs 600km through a remarkable kaleidoscope of landscapes and culture in Switzerland, Austria and Italy, to its destination at Verona. It traverses the Allgauer, Lechtaler and Ötztaler Alps. There is a good network of alpine refuges and guesthouses on the route. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2007
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2007
  • Wandelgids Across the eastern alps: E5 | Cicerone
  • From Lake Constance in Germany, this guidebook describes walking the E5 trek that runs 600km through a remarkable kaleidoscope of landscapes and culture in Switzerland, Austria and Italy, to its destination at Verona. It traverses the Allgauer, Lechtaler and Ötztaler Alps. There is a good network of alpine refuges and guesthouses on the route. Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Mariazell - Ötscher - Josefsberg - Annaberg - Erlaufsee Freytag & Berndt Map
  • Mariazell - Ötscher - Josefsberg - Annaberg - Erlaufsee area of eastern Austria presented at 1:35,000 in a series of contoured and GPS compatible outdoor leisure map from Freytag & Berndt with hiking and cycling routes, mountain huts, campsites and youth hostels, local bus stops, plus other tourist information. Cartography is an enlargement of... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2011
  • Otztal Wanderatlas 2010
  • Goede handzame wandelgids met duidelijke kaarten en informatieve tekst. / Gedetailleerde wandelgidsen met ingetekende lange afstandsroute. Goede omschrijving van de route met tevens praktische informatie voor onderweg. Länge, Höhenmeter und Anforderungen Die fünfzig Touren dieses Buches decken eine große Bandbreite von kurzen Spaziergängen über... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2011
  • Wandelgids Hikeline Ötztal | Esterbauer
  • Goede handzame wandelgids met duidelijke kaarten en informatieve tekst. / Gedetailleerde wandelgidsen met ingetekende lange afstandsroute. Goede omschrijving van de route met tevens praktische informatie voor onderweg. Länge, Höhenmeter und Anforderungen Die fünfzig Touren dieses Buches decken eine große Bandbreite von kurzen Spaziergängen über... Read more
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Kompass
Germany
  • Europäischer Fernwanderweg E5, Von Konstanz nach Verona
  • Destinationen:- Der Nordteil des Fernwanderwegs E5 führt vom flachen Bodenseeufer über die Hügel des Bregenzerwalds ins Allgäu. In Oberstdorf beginnt die Überschreitung der west-ost-verlaufenden Gebirgskämme, dazwischen die Abstiege ins Lechtal, ins Inntal, ins Pitztal, ins Ötztal und ins Passeirtal.- Für erfahrene Bergwanderer werden alpine... Read more
Kompass
Germany
  • Tirol
  • -Drittgrößtes Bundesland Österreichs, rund 12600 km2 Fläche, Hauptstadt ist Innsbruck, der höchste Berg ist der Großglockner in Osttirol (3798 m), in Nordtirol ist es die Wildspitze (3786 m).-Fünf Naturparks sind in Tirol zu finden: Naturpark Zillertaler Alpen, Alpenpark Karwendel, Naturpark Ötztal, Naturpark Kaunergrat, Naturpark Tiroler Lech;... Read more
Kompass
Germany
  • Niederösterreich
  • Die schönsten Seiten des Wanderns!- 100 Erlebnistouren in jedem Wanderbuch- Ausgewogene Tourenauswahl für jede Kondition- Gemütliche Familienwanderungen- Übersichtliche Tourenkartenausschnitte- Extra Guide ´´Der Nord-Süd-Weg´´ zum HerausnehmenDestination:- Österreichs größtes Bundesland erstreckt sich rund um die Bundeshauptstadt Wien – von den... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
2015
  • Fernwanderweg E5
  • Der E5 zeigt auf den 600 km vom Bodensee quer ber die Alpen nach Verona viele Gesichter: saftige Wiesen, felsige berg nge, m chtige Gletscher und mediterranes Flair. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2015
  • Fernwanderweg E5
  • Der E5 zeigt auf den 600 km vom Bodensee quer ber die Alpen nach Verona viele Gesichter: saftige Wiesen, felsige berg nge, m chtige Gletscher und mediterranes Flair. Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2016
  • Trekking im Ötztal-Pitztal
  • F nf mehrt gige Trekkings laden Wanderer zu hochalpinen Streifz gen von H tte zu H tte ein: einde ideale M glichkeit die grosshartige Bergwelt um tztal und Pitztal zu erkunden. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2016
  • Trekking im Ötztal-Pitztal
  • F nf mehrt gige Trekkings laden Wanderer zu hochalpinen Streifz gen von H tte zu H tte ein: einde ideale M glichkeit die grosshartige Bergwelt um tztal und Pitztal zu erkunden. Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • Wandelgids trekking im Otztal - Pitztal | Rother
  • Vijf meerdaagse tochten van hut naar hut. Goed beschreven met een uitvoerige routebeschrijving en veel praktische informatie. Elke route is voorzien van een hoogteprofiel en kaartmateriaal (met een schaal van 1:75.000 enigszins te grof) Die Niederungen des Alltags hinter sich zu lassen und tagelang durch unberührte Bergnatur zu wandern, stets... Read more
» Click to close
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Over the Top & Back Again
  • Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Over the Top & Back Again
  • Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
2017
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
2017
» Click to close
Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2019
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • A book to 20 classic trekking routes in the Alps. Exploring the best trekking areas, outline descriptions and photographs illustrate the classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc, and Chamonix to Zermatt, as well a number of trekking routes in Slovenia, the Italian Dolomites, the French Alps, Austrian Alps and Swiss Alps. Ideal for inspiration. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2011
  • Alps Trekking
  • An inspirational walking guide to 20 summer treks in the European Alps in Italy, Austria, Switzerland, France and Slovenia, by 8 Alpine trekking experts, including the classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and lesser-known routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps. All the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned is... Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2011
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • An inspirational guidebook to 20 classic treks in the Alps. As well as introducing new hiking areas in the Alps, classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc, and Chamonix to Zermatt are included. Trekking in the Alps is immensely satisfying, and this book celebrates the rich and scenic diversity for which this great mountain range is renowned. Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
2011
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • An inspirational guide to the delights of Alpine multi-day hikes. With 20 hikes described, including classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and the Tour of the Vanoise as well as new multi-day routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps, this guide celebrates the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned.The eight talented... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2011
  • Trekking in the Alps
  • An inspirational guide to the delights of Alpine multi-day hikes. With 20 hikes described, including classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc and the Tour of the Vanoise as well as new multi-day routes like the Traverse of the Slovenian Alps, this guide celebrates the rich scenic diversity for which the Alps are renowned.The eight talented... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2011
  • Wandelgids Trekking in the Alps | Cicerone
  • An inspirational guidebook to 20 classic treks in the Alps. As well as introducing new hiking areas in the Alps, classics such as the Tour of Mont Blanc, and Chamonix to Zermatt are included. Trekking in the Alps is immensely satisfying, and this book celebrates the rich and scenic diversity for which this great mountain range is renowned. Read more
» Click to close
Cicerone Press
United Kingdom
2016
  • Walking in Austria
  • A comprehensive guidebook to walking routes in Austria. 101 routes, day walks, multi-day treks and classic hut-to-hut tours in the Ratikon, Silvretta, Stubai, and Zillertal Alps, the Hohe Tauern, and the Karawanken. With information on transport, accommodation, gear and safety, plus full details of over a hundred Austrian mountain huts. Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • The Book Depository, United Kingdom
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2016
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2016
Bol.com
Netherlands
2016
  • Walking in Austria
  • A comprehensive guidebook detailing walking routes in Austria. The 101 walks reflect the diversity of this popular region and cover Austria's magnificent Alps - including the Ratikon, Silvretta, Stubai and Zillertal - as well as the Dachsteingebirge, Hohe Tauern and the Karawanken. Graded according to difficulty and ranging from short walks of... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2016
  • Walking in Austria
  • A comprehensive guidebook detailing walking routes in Austria. The 101 walks reflect the diversity of this popular region and cover Austria's magnificent Alps - including the Ratikon, Silvretta, Stubai and Zillertal - as well as the Dachsteingebirge, Hohe Tauern and the Karawanken. Graded according to difficulty and ranging from short walks of... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2016
  • Wandelgids Oostenrijk - Walking in Austria | Cicerone
  • A comprehensive guidebook to walking routes in Austria. 101 routes, day walks, multi-day treks and classic hut-to-hut tours in the Ratikon, Silvretta, Stubai, and Zillertal Alps, the Hohe Tauern, and the Karawanken. With information on transport, accommodation, gear and safety, plus full details of over a hundred Austrian mountain huts. Read more
» Click to close
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Over the Top & Back Again
  • Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Over the Top & Back Again
  • Book of the Year Bronze Award 2010 (travel essays category), ForeWord Magazine After hiking some of the world's great trails, Brandon Wilson was excited to hear about the Via Alpina, paths running across eight countries on the backbone of the Alps. Besides promising immersion into Alpine life and wilderness, it was the ultimate adventure. It... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • Ötztaler Wanderbuch
  • Das tztal er ffnet eine Welt f r sich: Mit 65 Kilometer L nge ist es nicht nur das l ngste Seitental des Inns, sondern das gr te Quertal der gesamten Ostalpen. Begrenzt von den Stubaier Alpen im Osten und den tztaler Alpen im Westen, wird es von mehr als 300 Dreitausendern darunter so namhafte Gipfel wie Zuckerh tl, Wildspitz oder Wei... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • Ötztaler Wanderbuch
  • Das tztal er ffnet eine Welt f r sich: Mit 65 Kilometer L nge ist es nicht nur das l ngste Seitental des Inns, sondern das gr te Quertal der gesamten Ostalpen. Begrenzt von den Stubaier Alpen im Osten und den tztaler Alpen im Westen, wird es von mehr als 300 Dreitausendern darunter so namhafte Gipfel wie Zuckerh tl, Wildspitz oder Wei... Read more
» Click to close
More books…

Maps

Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Ötztal - Pitztal - Kaunertal - Wildspitze F&B WK251
  • Ötztal - Pitztal - Kaunertal - Wildspitze area of the Austrian Alps presented at 1:50,000 in a series of contoured and GPS compatible outdoor leisure map from Freytag & Berndt with hiking and cycling routes, mountain huts, campsites and youth hostels, local bus stops, plus other tourist information.To see the list of currently available titles... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Goms - Aletsch
  • Goms - Aletsch area of the Bernese Oberland at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking trails.Cartography is similar to that used both in... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Styrian Winelands - Southwest Styria F&B WK411
  • Styrian Winelands area south-eastern Austria presented at 1:50,000 in a series of contoured and GPS compatible outdoor leisure map from Freytag & Berndt with hiking and cycling routes, mountain huts, campsites and youth hostels, local bus stops, plus other tourist information. To see the list of currently available titles in this series please... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Albenga - Alassio - Savona 50K IGC Map No. 15
  • The coast of the Italian Riviera around Albenga, Alassio and Savona in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lake Garda - Lake Idro - Monte Baldo - Verona K+F Outdoor Map 7
  • Lake Garda - Lake d`Idro - Monte Baldo - Verona area at 1:50,000 in a series of waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from Kümmerly + Frey with both local and long-distance hiking and cycling trails, ski routes, sites for other outdoor pursuits, accommodation, bus stops, etc. An inset provides a small... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Lake Lucerne
  • Lake Lucerne area at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking trails.Cartography is similar to that used both in Hallwag’s hiking atlases and... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Otztal Supertrail Map
  • The new Supertrail Maps show the best singletrails in Europe’s hottest mountain bike spots. These unique topographic maps make the knowledge of locals available to other mountain bikers. Consistent difficulty rating and useful additional information prevent the user from critical situations on the trails. The best singletrails in the best... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Il Cuneese: Cuneo - Saluzzo - Carmagnola 75K IGC Map No. 24
  • Il Cuneese area of Piedmont, including Cuneo, Saluzzo and Carmagnola, at 1:75,000 in a series contoured hiking maps with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale. This title also includes an overprint showing cycle routes.Maps in this series have contours at 50m... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Bregenz F&B
  • Indexed street plan of Bregenz extending north along the Bodensee coast to Lochau and Unter Hochsteg. Detail includes pedestrianised areas, railways, bus routes and cycle paths. Notable buildings are highlighted in red, and symbols indicate post offices, hostels, campsites and car parks.On the reverse is a 1:50,000 contoured map of the... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Italy: IGC 50K Walking Maps of North-Western Italy
  • Italian Alps and Piedmont, the lakes and northern Lombardy, and the Italian Riviera at 1:50,000 from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale on contoured hiking maps with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc.The maps have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Via Alpina Long-distance Hiking Trail
  • Via Alpina across Slovenia at 1:50,000 from Kartografija in Ljubljana, covering the route northwards from the Slovenian Istria to the Julian Alps and then eastwards from Triglav to Jezerski Peak. Accommodation for hikers is included.The route from Krvavi Potok to the Austrian border just north of Kranjska Gora in the Julian Alps is 220km long... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Adelboden - Lenk
  • Adelboden - Lenk area of the western Bernese Oberland, from Gstaad to Frutigen and Leukerbad at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Haslital: Grindelwald - Engelberg 50K Hallwag Outdoor Map No. 5
  • Haslital area, from Grindelwald to Engelberg, at 1:50,000 in a series from Hallwag covering Switzerland’s popular hiking regions on light, waterproof and tear-resistant maps highlighting long-distance paths: the nine national routes plus special regional routes, as well as other local hiking trails.Cartography is similar to that used both in... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Val Brembana - Valsassina - Le Grigne: Lecco - Bergamo 50K IGC Map No. 22
  • Val Brembana - Valsassina - Le Grigne area including Lecco and Bergamo in a series contoured hiking maps at 1:50,000 with local trails, long-distance footpaths, mountain accommodation, etc. from the Turin based Istituto Geografico Centrale.Maps in this series have contours at 50m intervals, enhanced by shading and graphic relief. An overprint... Read more
More maps…

Walking holidays

Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
  • The E5 Alpine Crossing - Walk Oberstdorf to Meran
  • Self guided walking tour on the E5 Alpine crossing from Oberstdorf to Meran. Take on the famous E5 Alpine crossing from Germany, through Austria and finishing in Italy’s South Tyrol. This classic inn to inn route is long-distance trekking at its best and is a must for Alpine fans. Hike from mountain pass to mountain pass, taking in the scenery... Read more
Snp Wandelreizen
Netherlands
  • Oostenrijk - Ötztal
  • Driesterrenhotel Falknerhof ligt in het Tirools bergdorp Niederthai (1550 m): een verstild dorpje op een plateau in een van de zijdalen van het bekende Ötztal. Het is de ideale uitvalsbasis om al langlaufend, sneeuwwandelend, winterwandelend of alpine skiënd het gebied te verkennen. Een heerlijk gevarieerde wintersportvakantie, omgeven door... Read more
More walking holidays…

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