For many people, the Ötztal valley is the epitome of Alpine natural beauty. With its three valley levels – surrounded by around 250 three-thousand-metre peaks and crowned by the largest glacier area in the Eastern Alps – it is incredibly multifaceted. 1,600 km of marked hiking & mountain trails, paths and treks open up almost limitless possibilities: from long-distance hiking trails (Ötztal Trek: 400 km, 6 routes, 22 stages) to fascinating themed hiking trails such as those around the theme of water (Ötztaler Wasserläufer) to hut and alpine pasture tours or even geocache rounds. 10 summer mountain railways also make it easy to reach fabulously beautiful panoramic routes.
From the beginning of the valley with the mildest climate in North Tyrol, where wine and sweet chestnuts thrive, all the way up to the eternal ice of the Rettenbach glacier, you can marvel at just about the entire range of alpine flora and fauna. Your paths will lead you through flowering mountain meadows and primeval stone pine forests, over panoramic mountain flanks and sunny high plateaus, along rushing torrents and crystal-clear mountain lakes as well as to several natural gems.
