Ötztal
Description
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.
Opinions

- 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
Map
Trails in this region
Links
Facts
- Ötztal Alps : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost
Excellent page, with descriptions of the different ranges and peaks.
- Ötztaler Alpen – Wikipedia (German)
- Sölden - Ötztal Hut to Hut Tour
Suggestion for a hut tour in the Ötztal region.
Reports
- Ötztaler Alpen » Hiking and Mountains [hikr.org] (German)
Collection of walking, mountaineering and climbing reports on Hikr.org
- www.DerHuettenWanderer.de - Rundtour durch die Texelgruppe (German)
A hut tour in the Naturpark Texelgruppe.
- www.DerHuettenWanderer.de - Tour zum Similaun (German)
Detailed report of a hut tour in the Ötztaler Alps.
- www.DerHuettenWanderer.de - Venter Runde (German)
Another hut tour in the Ötztaler Alps, around the village of Vent.
- Alpintipp: Ötztaler Alpen (German)
A list of links to hiking reports.
- Andreas Basch Bergliste (German)
Andreas Basch lists many mountain tours here. Use your browsers search function.
- Ötztaler Alpen - Bergtouren Schitouren (German)
Well organised blog with many tours in the Ötztaler Alpen.
- Ötztaler Alpen in Südtirol (German)
Many user contributions on Bergportal.com about the (southern) Ötztaler Alps.
- Beschreibung verschiedener Wanderungen und einer Mehrtagestour im Ötztal (German)
More hikes in Ötztal.
- FamilieSeng.de: Wandertour Ötztaler Alpen I (German)
Trip report. Four days starting in Vent.
- Hochtouren in den Ostalpen (German)
A series of reports of Alpine hikes and climbes in different mountain massifs in Austria and Switzerland.
- http://www.bergwandern.net/soelden.html (German)
Trip report, some hikes starting from Sölden.
- Stuibenfall-Klettersteig - BERG&foto (German)
Short impression of this impressive via ferrata.
- Texelgruppe in Südtirol (German)
All kinds of tour descriptions for the Texel Group (which we put under Ötztal).
- WANDERUNGEN - Gerald Engelmaier (German)
On this page of Gerald Engelmaier, you will find trips in almost any mountain group of Austria. Use your browsers search function.
- WANDERUNGEN durch die ALPEN [www.BergNews.com] (German)
On this page you will find a collection of hiking reports, mostly Austrian regions
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
- Ötzi - South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology
The museum where you can admire Ötzi, the stone age man found somewhere at the slopes of the Finail peak. The site where he was find, some 3.200 plus metre, is marked by a stone pyramid.
- Naturpark Ötztal
Home page of the Ötztal Nature Park, including a list of trails.
Books

United Kingdom
- Alpenuberquerung mit Kindern - Familienwanderung E5 in 10 Tagen
- + Tipps fur jedes Wetter + Routen fur E5 Tagestouren Read more

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
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

United Kingdom
2007
- Across the Eastern Alps: E5
- The E5 from Lake Constance to Verona Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

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

United Kingdom
- Mariazell - Ötscher - Josefsberg - Annaberg - Erlaufsee F&B WK5031
- 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

United Kingdom
- South Tyrol Kompass Hiking & Recreational Kompass Ring-binder Atlas No. 2703: Bormio - Merano - Bolzano - Cortina d`Ampezzo
- Italian South Tyrol, including many popular areas of the Dolomites, on waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS-compatible maps at 1:35,000 from Kompass presented in a ring-binder atlas and highlighting hiking paths, cycle and horse riding trails, various accommodation options, etc. Each removable sheet is double-sided and 30.5x26cm... Read more

Netherlands
2017
- Wandelgids 71 Otztal | Rother
- Uitstekende wandelgids met een groot aantal dagtochten in dal en hooggebergte. Met praktische informatie en beperkt kaartmateriaal! Wandelingen in verschillende zwaarte weergegeven in rood/blauw/zwart. Das Ötztal ist ein Tal der Superlative. Es ist mit siebzig Kilometern nicht nur das längste Seitental des Inns, es wird auch von über 300... Read more

Netherlands
- Hiking in Switzerland
- This is the official guidebook to the Swiss section of the Via Alpina (National Route 1), published by the Swiss Hiking Federation. The Via Alpina is a network of five long-distance hiking routes which cross eight Alpine countries from Trieste to Monaco - over 5,000 kilometres of hiking trails in total. On Swiss soil, National Route 1 Via... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Hiking in Switzerland
- This is the official guidebook to the Swiss section of the Via Alpina (National Route 1), published by the Swiss Hiking Federation. The Via Alpina is a network of five long-distance hiking routes which cross eight Alpine countries from Trieste to Monaco - over 5,000 kilometres of hiking trails in total. On Swiss soil, National Route 1 Via... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- WF5630 Ötztal, Pitztal mit Karte Kompass
- De Kompass wandelgids + kaart geeft een overzicht van alle wandelroutes in het gebied met nauwkeurige routeaanwijzingen en hoogteaanduidingen, De extra grote kaart, schaal 1:35 000, is ideaal om van te voren uw route uit te stippelen en om onderweg te gebruiken; naast de bekende bestemmingen, worden ook de minder bekende vermeld; openbaar... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Belgium
2018
- WF5630 Ötztal, Pitztal mit Karte Kompass
- De Kompass wandelgids + kaart geeft een overzicht van alle wandelroutes in het gebied met nauwkeurige routeaanwijzingen en hoogteaanduidingen, De extra grote kaart, schaal 1:35 000, is ideaal om van te voren uw route uit te stippelen en om onderweg te gebruiken; naast de bekende bestemmingen, worden ook de minder bekende vermeld; openbaar... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids 5630 Wanderführer Ötztal - Pitztal | Kompass
- Destination:Das Ötztal, erstreckt sich über 65 km zwischen Haiming und Obergurgl. Seine Seitentäler – Horlachtal, Griestal, Windachtal und Venter Tal – sind herrliche Ausgangspunkte für Wanderungen in allen Schwierigkeitsgraden. Der Geigenkamm trennt das Ötztal vom Pitztal, das mit 40 km nicht ganz so lang ist wie das Ötztal. Es wirdvon der... Read more

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
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

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

Netherlands
2015
- Wandelgids 70 Ötscher | Rother
- Uitstekende wandelgids met een groot aantal dagtochten in dal en hooggebergte. Met praktische informatie en beperkt kaartmateriaal! Wandelingen in verschillende zwaarte weergegeven in rood/blauw/zwart. Im Bergland um Mariazell und Türnitz vereinen sich grüne Täler und tiefe Schluchten, steil aufragende Wald- und Felsgipfel, stäubende... Read more

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

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

Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids Fernwanderweg E5 | Rother
- Duitstalige wandelgids met zeer goed beschreven wandelroutes die aan elkaar de Europese LAW E5 vormen. Redelijk kaartmateriaal, vooral de beschrijving van de route en de praktische info die er bij hoort is goed. Der Europäische Fernwanderweg E5 überquert die Alpen in Nord-Süd-Richtung auf etwa 600 km Länge. Überwiegend gut markiert führt er von... Read more

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

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

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
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

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

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

Netherlands
2017
- Ötztal - Silvretta
- Der Skitourenf hrer tztal - Silvretta beschreibt vor allem das >>Tiroler Oberlandblauen>roten Reihe Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2017
- Ötztal - Silvretta
- Der Skitourenf hrer tztal - Silvretta beschreibt vor allem das >>Tiroler Oberlandblauen>roten Reihe Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Dachstein - Ausseerland - Filzmoos - Ramsau Hiking + Leisure Map 1:50 000
- Dachstein - Ausseer Land - Filzmoos - Ramsau - Bad Ischl - Schladming 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Dachstein - Ausseerland - Filzmoos - Ramsau F&B WK281
- Dachstein - Ausseer Land - Filzmoos - Ramsau - Bad Ischl - Schladming 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Carinthian Alps - Gailtal - Gitschtal - Nassfeld - Lesachtal - Weissensee - Upper Drautal F&B WK223
- Naturarena Kärnten - Gailtal - Gitschtal -Lesachtal - Weissensee - Oberes Drautal area of Carinthia 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... Read more

United Kingdom
- Lake Como / Lake Lugano 2017
- Lake Como area at 1:50,000 on a double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Lake Como K+F Outdoor Map 9
- Lake Como area at 1:50,000 on a double-sided, 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. Coverage includes the northern part of Lake Lugano and extends... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 09 Outdoorkarte IT Lago di Como - Como meer | Kümmerly & Frey
- Lake Como area at 1:50,000 on a double-sided, waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

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

United Kingdom
- Vinschgau 2012
- Val Venosta / Vinschgau area in the Dolomites at 1:50,000 in a series of waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Val Venosta / Vinschgau K+F Outdoor Map 1
- Val Venosta / Vinschgau area in the Dolomites 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. Coverage includes the Ortles/Ortler... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 01 Outdoorkarte IT Vinschgau | Kümmerly & Frey
- Val Venosta / Vinschgau area in the Dolomites at 1:50,000 in a series of waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more

United Kingdom
- Lake Garda 2017
- 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 K Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

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

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 07 Outdoorkarte IT Gardasee | Kümmerly & Frey
- 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 K Read more

United Kingdom
- Lake Maggiore 2018
- Lake Maggiore - Lake Orta - Lake Varese area at 1:50,000 in a series of waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Lake Maggiore - Lake Orta - Lake Varese K+F Outdoor Map 8
- Lake Maggiore - Lake Orta - Lake Varese 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 road map of... Read more

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 08 Outdoorkarte IT Lago Maggiore | Kümmerly & Frey
- Lake Maggiore - Lake Orta - Lake Varese area at 1:50,000 in a series of waterproof and tear-resistant, GPS compatible and contoured recreational maps from K Read more

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

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

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

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

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

United Kingdom
- Lake Constance to Verona - E5 European Long-Distance Trail Kompass 2558
- The 601km eastern half of Europe’s E5 long distance footpaths from Lake Constance across the Austrian Alps to Verona on a waterproof and tear-resistant, contoured and GPS compatible concertina map from Kompass presenting the route on 40 panels, each 17.5x20cm. Plus accommodations recommendations and street plans.The route is highlighted on maps... Read more

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
Walking holidays
Netherlands
- Oostenrijk - Pitztal
- Het Pitztal is wellicht minder bekend dan het naburige Ötztal, maar heeft behalve meer rust landschappelijk net zo veel te bieden. Het diepe gletsjerdal kent vele almen met bijbehorende almhutten en fraaie bergmeren met daarachter imposante rotspieken. Spectaculaire watervallen storten zich omlaag. Aan het einde van het dal ligt de ruim 3700 m.... Read more
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