Interesting Facts

Tips for an unforgettable week in the Ötztal valley

So, you have a week of holidays and you want it all: action, adventure but also some time to chill out and relax. The Ötztal is one of the best destinations for an alpine nature adventure. There are so many different activities to do here that a week will seem way too short! To help you on your way, we’ve made you a rough sketch of what the perfect week in the Ötztal might look like. Are you in?

Swimming lanes in the pool at AQUA DOME. ©Ötztal Tourismus, Miranda Muller

Saturday: Arrival and relaxing in the Ötztal

The best time to arrive in the Ötztal is just before noon. This gives you time to enjoy your first leisurely alpine lunch on a sunny outdoor terrace, the ideal way to get into relax mode.

One place you shouldn’t miss out on is the AQUA DOME in Längenfeld. Here you can lay back in the thermal baths, soak in the rays in a sun lounger or sweat out your toxins in the sauna. The outdoor pool in Oetz is also a lovely place to swim a few lengths and enjoy the view of the surrounding mountains.

Sunday: Reaching for new heights

On hot summer days, you can find natural air conditioning in the mountains. All you have to do is climb higher! Lace your hiking shoes and scale the mountains, or simply step into a lift.

In a manner of minutes, the lift will bring you up high where you can do some serious hillwalking. From the top of the Hohe Mut gondola in Obergurgl, you’ll be rewarded with inspiring panoramic views of 21 mountain peaks over 3.000m high!

Breathtaking landscape in the mountains. ©Ötztal Tourismus, Miranda Muller

This is the starting point of the RotmoostalWater Strider Hiking Route”, which takes you over a pleasantly rocky trail. Over the course of about 3 hours you’ll cover a hefty 10 kilometres, but the path is easy and practically flat and you are passing the impressive 30 m high Rotmoos Waterfall.

Monday: e-cycling

With an e-bike (almost) everyone can ride uphill! One of the most popular tours in the Ötztal is the trail to the Langtalereckhütte. It includes a 7 km long stint over a gravel path, but this shouldn’t be a problem for your trusty electric motor. The hut is situated at around 1.900 m altitude in the midst of the paradisiacal glacier world of the Ötztal. The ascent takes around one-and-a-half hours, during which time you’ll cover almost 14 km and gain 560 m in altitude.

  • Breitlehnalm | 1.5 hours | 15.5 km | 750 m altitude gain
  • Umhauser Runde | 1.5 hours | 16.5 km | 230 m altitude gain
  • Festkogel | ca. 2 hours | 14 km | 990 m altitude gain

Tuesday: a day in the water

After two days of exertion, it’s time to take a well-earned break by the pool, swimming, reading and lounging on a comfy sunbed. It’s important to spend part of your holiday recharging your batteries! Will you pay another visit to the AQUA DOME or would you rather check out the sports facilities at the natural bathing lake in Umhausen?

Wednesday: time for some action!

Break time is over! Today it’s time for an adrenaline rush. Rafting in the Imster Schlucht is always a wet and bumpy adventure! Put on the very attractive neoprene suit and helmet, follow your teammates into the sturdy rubber boat and prepare to float down the river… just be careful and do not fall out! If you like water, gliding, abseiling and jumping, then you should definitely try canyoning.

A different and dryer way to stay active is to book a session at one of the bike schools in Sölden. The instructor will teach you the basics of downhill mountain biking, which you can then put into practice on a pump track. Afterwards, test out your new skills together on one of the roads at the Bike Republic Sölden!

Thursday: the coolest amusement park in the alps -A REA 47

AREA 47 is an enormous amusement park which boasts a whopping 35 different attractions. The Water AREA offers spectacular waterslides and jumps – if you want to get a feel for it, just take a spin on the Flying Fox, a 400 m long zip line with a view over the Water AREA.

And how wicked is it to wakeboard with a view of the mountains? You can try this out at the Wake AREA in a 20,000 m² artificial lake with kickers and boxes.

Action in the Wake AREA. ©Ötztal Tourismus, Miranda Muller
Miranda Muller at the via ferrata. ©Ötztal Tourismus, Miranda Muller

Friday: climbing and bouldering

There are 8 via ferrata routes in the Ötztal, which take you through the mountains. Your harness will keep you attached to the cable as you scramble over cliffs and across suspension bridges that hang over steep ravines. No experience? No problem! You can get started with a climbing course – all you need are sturdy climbing shoes, hiking equipment and a good dose of spunk.

You can rent the harness and helmet separately if they are not already included in the package. A good via ferrata route to begin with is the Zirbenwald in Obergurgl, which is not too intimidating.

Summer Tips

  • Book an accommodation that gives you a complimentary Ötztal Premium Card. This gets you onto the lifts and the public transport for free, as well as granting free entry into the swimming pools and loads of other deals, including complimentary bicycle rentals.
  • You can take the bus to many of the trail starting points.
  • Above all, make sure you take advantage of your holiday to explore the entire valley. The Ötztal has a fantastic variety of nature and activities. From the friendly village of Oetz to the rolling green meadows that lead from the valley to the mountains surrounding Obergurgl, it’s hard to find a prettier place.

Miranda Muller von Indebergen.nl

Miranda Muller is Editor-in-chief at Indebergen.nl and the alps are her second home. She loves the variety of a mountain holiday: a great hike, a challenging mountain bike ride, an extensive lunch in the sun at a cozy mountain hut and at the end of the day relaxing with a nice book and a good glass of wine. And all that with a wonderful view!

Miranda Muller from Indebergen.nl
Gastautor

Author Gastautor

... varied guest authors write about their adventures and experiences in the Ötztal / in Sölden / in Obergurgl-Hochgurgl.

More posts by Gastautor

All rights reserved Salient.

By subscribing to our newsletter, the user gives his/her explicit consent, in accordance with art. 6, par. 1, point (a) GDPR, that all personal data entered are used for sending newsletters on a regular basis. The user can unsubscribe from the newsletter at any time. An ‘Unsubscribe’ link can be found at the end of each newsletter. More information can be found in our privacy policy