Ötztal trek route 3

Stage 10 – 12

Obergurgl (1930 m) – Langtalereckhütte (2430 m)  – Hochwildehaus (2866 m) – Ramolhaus (3005 m) – Martin-Busch Hütte (2501 m) – Similiaunhütte (3017 m)

Changes in elevation: ascent 2800 meters / descent 1700 meters<br>Distance in kilometers: 32 km

This scenic route takes hikers to Obergurgl in the rear Ötztal Valley. You follow the tracks of stratosphere expert Auguste Piccard and Ötzi - The Iceman. From Obergurgl you also explore the glacier world high above Vent. Glacier trekking at its finest!

STAGE 10:

OBERGURGL (1900 m) –> LANGTALERECKHÜTTE (2430 m) –> HOCHWILDEHAUS (2866 m) –> RAMOLHAUS (3005 m)

Route: road, cart road, steep path, path

Requirements: surefootedness, good head for heights, good physical condition and stamina; red mountain trail

Difficulties: on this route you have to cross the remains of a glacier snout on Gurgler Ferner (flat and no crevasses)

Walking time: approx. 7 hrs

Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 1600 meters / descent 500 meters

Highest point: 3005 m

Distance in kilometers: approx. 16 km

Lodging, refreshment stops: David‘s Hütte (no overnight), Schönwieshütte (no overnight), Hochwildehaus, Ramolhaus

Access/exit points: from Obergurgl along Ramolweg Trail to Ramolhaus (ascent approx. 4 hrs / descent 3 hrs)

Diversity at its Best

From the center of Obergurgl you walk into the valley to David’s Hütte. There you continue on the themed Stone Pine Trail through the dense forest until you reach the road to Schönwieshütte. The road leads past the hut, winding slightly to the left, and – after a short downhill section – climbs gently through the slopes above Gurgler Tal to Langtalereckhütte. From the mountain hut the path drops down to Langtal, crosses the valley and climbs steeply to the moraine of Gurgler Glacier. Follow the moraine parallel to the glacier to Hochwildehaus. After a rest stop retrace your steps down to approx. 2700 meters above sea level where you descend to the remains of the Gurgler Glacier snout on the left. Cross the glacier at its lowest and flattest point (no trail signs). Once you have crossed the glacier fields there is a steep ledge with metal rungs to help you along. The trail then travels slightly uphill before climbing up to Ramolhaus. Continue to Ramolhaus. The last section of the trail also has steep switchbacks all the way to the top.

STAGE 11:

RAMOLHAUS (3005 m) –> RAMOLJOCH (3189 m) –> MARTIN-BUSCH-HÜTTE (2501 m)

Route: steep path, footpath, road, cart road

Requirements: surefootedness, good head for heights, good physical condition; black mountain trail

Difficulties: the trail is equipped with fixed cables and metal rungs all the way to Ramoljoch

Equipment: standard hiking equipment

Walking time: approx. 6 hrs

Changes in elevation: approx. 700 meters climbing, 1,200 meters descending

Highest point: 3189 m

Distance in kilometers: approx. 11.5 km

Lodging, refreshment stops: Ramolhaus, Martin-Busch-Hütte

Access/exit points: from Obergurgl along Ramolweg to Ramolhaus (ascent approx. 4 hrs / descent 3 hrs); from Vent through Niedertal to Martin-Busch-Hütte (ascent approx. 2.5 hrs / descent 2 hrs)

Across Ramoljoch To Niedertal

From Ramolhaus we climb up to the dead ice of Ramolferner Glacier. Continue on the very section up to Ramoljoch by using fixed cables and metal rungs to assist your ascent through boulders, slabs and rubble areas. From here the trail switchbacks down quickly, then runs along the lateral moraine of Spiegelferner Glacier. Continue until you get to a trail junction at approx. 2800 meters above sea level. There turn left towards Martin-Busch-Hütte following Diemweg Trail. The trail then climbs moderately to a saddle and continues through gentle pasturelands and the slopes above Niedertal to Diembach Brook and down to the valley. Hike into the valley for a few meters, cross Niedertalbach Brook and follow the moderately ascending cart road to Martin-Busch-Hütte.

STAGE 12:

MARTIN-BUSCH-HÜTTE (2501 m) –> SIMILAUNHÜTTE (3017 m)

Route: steep path

Requirements: surefootedness; red mountain trail

Difficulties: none

Equipment: standard hiking equipment

Walking time: approx. 2 hrs

Changes in elevation: ascent approx. 500 meters

Highest point: 3017 m

Distance in kilometers: approx. 4.5 km

Lodging, refreshment stops: Martin-Busch-Hütte, Similaunhütte

Access/exit points: from Vent through Niedertal to Martin-Busch-Hütte (ascent approx. 2.5 hrs / descent 2 hrs)

A Side-Trip to South Tyrol

Similaunhütte, a privately-owned refuge, is located at 3017 meters above sea level on the South Tyrolean side of Niederjoch, a mountain pass between Tirol’s Ötztal and South Tyrol’s Schnalstal. Similaunhütte and Similaun owe their fame to Ötzi The Iceman who was discovered at nearby Tisenjoch Saddle (about 1.25 hrs walk). This scenic tour to Similaunhütte leads into Niedertal Valley along Niederjochbach Brook. The trail then climbs gently through glacier moraines. From Seibach Brook you stay on the moraine ridge all the way to Bild area. Afterwards the route continues without much elevation change to the glacier. Usually hikers had to cross Niederjochferner, but since 2008 there is a new trail circumventing it. The last section of this trail is rather steep. This blazed trail leads west of Niederjochferner to Similaunhütte.

DAY TOUR SPECIAL

Similaunhütte (3017 m) –> Similaun (3599 m)

Similaun Peak from Similaunhütte: glacier tour requiring surefootedness, good head for heights, high Alpine experience; rope is a must on the glacier (crevasses!) and along the ridge; usually icepick and crampons required; black mountain trail; mountain guide strongly recommended! Difficulty level: intermediate hike, Walking time: ascent approx. 2.5 hrs, descent approx. 1.5 hrs, Changes in elevation: 580 altitude meters