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Thematic Trail recommended route

Water Walk Rotmoostal Obergurgl

Thematic Trail · Ötztal Open
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  • Faszination Gletscher | Von Gletschern, Granaten & Glockenblumen
    Faszination Gletscher | Von Gletschern, Granaten & Glockenblumen
    Photo: Dominic Kuen, Naturpark Ötztal
A scenic hike through one of the most researched high mountain valleys in the Central Alps.
Open
moderate
Distance 14.8 km
4:00 h
100 m
893 m
2,701 m
1,892 m

This magnificent journey of discovery starts with a leisurely ride on Hohe Mut mountain gondola.

From the center of Obergurgl you follow the street to Hohe Mut mountain gondola. The gondola ride is the coziest possibility to come to Hohe Mut Alm and the trail is just about 12 km hiking.
Once arrived at Hohe Mut saddleback, you can enjoy hiking in quite flat and easy terrain towards the glacier fields of Rotmoosferner. Then you continue on rough and rocky mountain trails to a distinctive glacier moraine, the highest point of this hike. At the Rotmoosferner stamp site you get in close touch with Rotmoosferner glacier. Besides this very imposing, natural world of stone you discover another historical archive - the striking red Riedmoos moss typical of Rotmoostal. The trail continues on signposted paths towards the high Alpine world of flowers close to (serviced) Schönwieshütte. From there you hike through the ancient Stone Pine Forest with trees that are older than 300 years. Very soon you also get to the splendid Rotmoos waterfall. Follow the hiking trail leading past Zirben Alm, continue towards the village center and return to the starting point.

 
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Author’s recommendation

The water walk Rotmoostal is also a loop trail without using the Hohe Mut mountain gondola.
The hiking trail starts next to the base station of the Hohe Mut mountain gondola.

looptrail without Hohe Mut mountain gondola:
distance: 14,8 km
walking time: 6 h
altitude meters descent: 893 hm

Profile picture of Roland Grüner
Author
Roland Grüner 
Update: July 11, 2024
Quality route according to "Österreichisches Wandergütesiegel"
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,701 m
Lowest point
1,892 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 4.60%Dirt road 0.81%Forested/wild trail 7.49%Path 69.66%Unknown 17.42%
Asphalt
0.7 km
Dirt road
0.1 km
Forested/wild trail
1.1 km
Path
10.3 km
Unknown
2.6 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Hohe Mut Alm

Safety information

Moderate mountain trail; for sure-footed and experienced hikers. Good physical condition, mountain experience & mountain equipment (see notice equipment) necessary. Please pay attention to the current weather report: https://www.oetztal.com/summer.html.  

Tips and suggestions

Rotmoostal valley
  • The high proportion of sediments (glacier flour) causes the glacial streams to constantly grind down the stream bed.
  • The striking red Riedmoos peat of the Rotmoostal valley. These metre-highlayers of peat enable the climatic conditions of vegetation of the past tobe explored as this moorland has developed over thousands of years since the last Ice Age.

WATER IN THE ÖTZTAL VALLEY

Water, the element which has shaped the Ötztal valley.

The glaciers are melted by the sunshine, releasing fresh water which feeds into the meadows and the Ötztaler Ache river which winds its way along the 65 km long valley. The Ötztaler Ache catchment area extends over 893 km² with an elevation from 700 to 3,774 m. This glacial meltwater fills the reservoir used by the local population and provides a supply of drinking water.

Glaciers store ¾ of the world’s freshwater reserves and therefore represent the biggest natural waterstorage in the world.

In the year 1770, the advancing ice dammed many of the big lakes here which triggered catastrophic flooding across the entire Ötztal and Inntal regions when they burst their banks. Natural hazards and disaster made people want to know more about and better understand nature, which also facilitated glacier research. The many facets of water in the Ötztal is not just of interest for scientists. The Ötztal glaciers are recreational destinations for locals and guests alike as these ice worlds offer great hiking and skiing in surroundings of outstanding natural beauty. Crystal clear river waters swollen by icy glacier meltwater make for superb rafting, white water canoeing and other action-packed activities.

 

More details about hiking In Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/wandern 

Start

Obergurgl
Coordinates:
DD
46.870666, 11.027474
DMS
46°52'14.4"N 11°01'38.9"E
UTM
32T 654509 5192787
w3w 
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Destination

Obergurgl

Turn-by-turn directions

From Obergurgl on foot or by lift up to Hohe Mut - to the highest point, left of the lift station (location HM) - back on the hiking trail along Hohe Mut ridge in the direction of the glacier (southeast) - stop (location BH) at the so-called Bärenhoppet where you will find a research hut run by the University of Innsbruck - continue towards Rotmoosferner stamp site - stop at Rotmoosferner stamp site (location SR) - descent along Liebener Rippe into Rotmoostal - stop at the crossroads of the valley and slope trail (location GR) -out of the valley towards Schönwieshütte - stop at Rotmoos Moor outside the glacier forefield (location RM) - continue past the water reservoir along the road through Obergurgl’s ski area (location SG) or alternative way back to Obergurgl through the natural stone pines of Obergurgl’s Zirbenwald (footpath).

Public transport

Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

 

Directions

The car drive to the Ötztal valley. Situated in Tirol, the Ötztal valley set off in southerly direction and is the longest side valley in the Eastern Alps. The journey with the car leads you through the Inntal valley to the entrance of the valley and further on through the valley. Among the toll motorways you can also use the country roads. A route planner will show you the easiest and most convenient was: https://www.google.at/maps.

Parking

The following parking facilities are available in Gurgl:
  • Parking garage (center of Obergurgl), chargeable | € 2,00/hour
  • Parking garage - bottom station Festkogl, chargeable | € 2,00/hour
  • Parking Hochgurglbahn valley station, free of charge - no parking at night
  • Parking Top Mountain Crosspoint, free of charge
  • Parking Hochgurgl, free of charge (very small parking) 

Coordinates

DD
46.870666, 11.027474
DMS
46°52'14.4"N 11°01'38.9"E
UTM
32T 654509 5192787
w3w 
///geography.pointed.bicep
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Equipment

Appropriate equipment such as breathable suitable outdoor clothes for the weather, ankle-high walking boots, wind-, rain- & sun protection, hat, possibly gloves, is for all hikes and tours necessary. Please bring a first-aid box, a mobile phone, a walking map and if there is no hut on the way a snack and enough to drink. 

Similar routes nearby

  • Obergurgl Stone Pine Forest - Theme Trail
  • Treasure Hunt Obergurgl Stone Pine Forest
  • Treasure Hunt Zwieselstein Village Loop
  • Treasure hunt Vent Ramolalm
  • Treasure Hunt Vent - Feldkögele
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Status
Open
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
14.8 km
Duration
4:00 h
Ascent
100 m
Descent
893 m
Highest point
2,701 m
Lowest point
1,892 m
Round trip Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Geological highlights Insider tip

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