Safety & orientation
Tips for successful tours
As sweeping as a peak conquest can be, a mountain tour or hike is only successful if you return to the valley safely and on your own. Hiking maps and written folders help climb the mountain slopes on marked trails at precisely defined difficulty levels. Already when planning a tour it's absolutely necessary to calculate weather conditions and your own physical stamina. The equipment comprises not only ankle-high, sturdy hiking boots, warm clothes, snacks and enough to drink but also a first aid kit including emergency numbers. A couple of basic mountain rules for walkers and hikers promise superb mountain exploration in Gurgl, kept in good memory.
General hiking recommendation
The umbrella organization of the leading Alpine mountain sports associations - "Club Arc Alpin" (CAA) - has developed recommendations suitable for every hiker and climber - for your own safety and in order to preserve Alpine nature for future tours. Even when meeting grazing livestock on Alpine pastures it's very important to observe some useful guidelines.
Mountain hiking is an endurance sport. The positive stress stimuli for both the heart and circulation require health and a realistic self-assessment before you set out on a tour. Avoid time pressure and choose the speed according to the weakest hiker.
Hiking maps, guide books, websites and experts provide information on length, altitude difference, difficulty levels and current weather conditions. Only choose tours that are suitable for the entire group! Pay special attention to the weather report as rain, wind and cold increase the risk of accidents.
Adjust your equipment to the tour and pay attention to a light backpack. Rain, cold and sun protection are always a must in the backpack, as well as a first aid kit and a mobile phone (European emergency call: 112). A detailed map or GPS data can support orientation.
Sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots protect and relieve your feet by improving surefootedness! Make sure you choose a perfect fit, a non-slip grip sole, water resistant but light hiking boots.
Falling as a result of slipping or stumbling is the most common cause of Alpine accidents! Keep in mind that excessive speed or tiredness can seriously affect your surefootedness and concentration. Please note the danger of falling rocks: always walk carefully to avoid that you trigger falling stones or rocks
In areas without any signs there is an increased risk that hikers will lose their way, will fall or that rocks will fall. Avoid short cuts and go back to the last point you recognise if you stray from the path. Steep old snow fields are often underestimated and very dangerous as one can easily slip.
Regular rest helps hikers to recover, enjoy the landscape, and makes the hike more sociable. You need to eat and drink to sustain your concentration and energy levels. Energy drinks are ideal for quenching your thirst. Cereal bars, dried fruit and biscuits will satisfy your hunger while walking.
Discovering the landscape in a fun and varied way is very important for children. In passages where there is a risk of falling, an adult can only look after one child. Very difficult hikes, which require long periods of concentration, are not suitable for children.
Small groups are more flexible and allow members to help each other. Tell everyone in your group your end destination, route, and return route. Stay together in your group. Attention to those hiking alone: even minor incidents can require serious emergency assistance.
To protect the natural mountain areas, do not leave rubbish behind, stay on the paths, do not disturb wild animals or livestock, do not touch the plants, and respect protected areas. Take public transport or use carpooling to get to your destination.
Caution: How do I behave if I meet grazing cattle?
Important: Dogs must be leashed!
Cows are generally considered to be gentle animals. Attacks on hikers can be avoided with the right decision-making and behavior in their habitat:
- Make sure there is enough distance to the grazing animals and stay on the walking trails.
- If a cow feels threatened, especially by dogs or other provocation, the animal will defend itself and the calves.
- Taking dogs with you is at your own risk. Accompanying dogs must always be kept on a leash. If an attack by cattle is unavoidable, release the dog from the leash immediately - otherwise you could become the target of the attack.
- Keep calm and quiet when crossing grazing areas and walk around the cattle by keeping enough distance.
- Walk past closed gates and fences only if there is no other possibility. Close all gates carefully!
Trail markers
Thanks to a standardized signposting system for trail markers, hikers will easily find the right way in and around the mountains of Gurgl. Furthermore, the classification of trails in different levels of difficulty helps to choose the suitable hiking route. Walking trails (easy), mountain trails (moderately difficult to difficult) and Alpine routes (very difficult) with certain characteristics take you straight up to various altitudes in the surroundings of Gurgl.
Difficulty levels & trail markers:
Walking trails: Broad and almost level walking trails on the valley floor, close to settlements, leading through wooded areas. No prior mountain experience is required. Hiking equipment is not necessary. Suitable for: beginners, leisurely walkers
Red mountain trails: Mountain trails of intermediate difficulty, located above the timberline in most cases. They are mostly narrow, often steep, sometimes exposed and require basic Alpine experience and knowledge. Some trails feature short, secured climbing passages. Suitable for: surefooted and experienced mountain hikers
Black mountain trails: Black hiking trails are difficult routes, they are narrow, steep or very steep, often exposed and can be dangerous especially in bad weather. These trails may feature longer, secured climbing passages. Also via ferrata routes are black mountain trails. Suitable for: absolutely sure-footed mountaineers with Alpine experience and a good head for heights, Alpine hiking equipment is a must
Alpine Route: These extremely difficult routes can be found in high Alpine terrain on partially unmarked routes, very exposed footpaths featuring unsecured hiking and climbing passages. There is a high risk of slipping and falling on Alpine routes. Suitable for: absolutely sure-footed mountaineers with enough high Alpine experience, excellent stamina and a good head for heights, Alpine hiking equipment is a must
Mountain rescue & first aid
Right behavior if it gets serious
Sudden thunderstorms, climbing in rough and almost impassable terrain, a slip and fall or a sudden feeling of faintness: Suddenly it can become dangerous in the mountains around Gurgl. It's important to organize help quickly in order to help others or oneself. You are always perfectly prepared with the Emergency App of the local mountain rescue service on your mobile phone plus a good outdoor first aid kit in your backpack.
First aid & emergency call
When an accident has happened, the first thing to do is activate the cell phone and start the rescue chain. Therefore a mobile phone with a full battery and a charger are an essential part of your equipment.
Emergency numbers
- «« 140: Mountain Rescue - Alpine Emergency Call
- «« 112: European Emergency Call (works with any mobile phone & in any available network)
Poor or no signal?
With poor or no signal or in a dead spot no emergency call is possible. Change to a better location and dial 112 regularly. European Emergency Call: Access to any network available if you switch on your mobile phone and dial 112 instead of the PIN code or if you use the SOS Emergency Call feature.
Accident report
- Who reports/callback number?
- Where exactly is the accident site?
- What happened?
- How many injured persons?
Did you know? The Tirol Mountain Rescue ...
- helps where other rescue organizations are already stuck
- provides professional help in high Alpine terrain
- can rely on a professionally trained team of volunteers
- is on standby around the clock, 365 days a year
- consists of 92 local service points to be at the place of accident as quickly as possible
Emergency App Leitstelle Tirol
Smart phone users can install the new emergency app provided by Leitstelle Tirol. It helps to place an emergency call and transmits your own location data at the same time in order to guide the mountain rescue team to the place of accident in a time-saving and effective manner.
App Download
Further details on the Emergency App can be found in the respective app stores.
Mountain rules when hiking
The VAVÖ (Austria Alpine Associations) and the UIAA (Union international des associations d'alpinisme) have set up 10 international hiking and mountaineering rules to promote safety in the Alpine hiking regions. Those who respect these guidelines can enjoy a truly carefree hiking holiday in and around Gurgl.
- Physical shape: Check your physical condition before you start a hike and choose an appropriate tour according to your experience and the shape of your hiking companions.
- Tour planning: It's absolutely necessary to accurately plan a hiking tour in Alpine terrain. Not only the length and the distance but also the difference in altitude is important.
- Equipment: Appropriate hiking and mountaineering equipment is a must. Hiking clothes, non-slip hiking boots, raingear and protection against cold are absolutely required. Don't forget to take a first aid box and enough food and drink (also for emergencies) with you.
- Weather: You should always be informed about the weather conditions and check the latest weather and avalanche reports for high Alpine regions. Additionally, you should trust in local weather forecasts and snow reports referring to the hiking area you have chosen.
- Inform someone: Choose the mountain tour according to the season and the length of the day. Inform someone (for example your host) about the tour, the exact route and when you plan to be back.
- Best hiking time: Start your hike as early as possible so that you return early and don't get caught by darkness.
- Hiking companions: Never hike alone. Always check the fitness of your hiking companions first, then choose a mountain tour according to the physical shape of the weakest hiker.
- Overexertion: The right walking speed is of utmost importance for all hikers, depending on your own stamina and the physical fitness of your companions. A walking pace which is too fast causes overexertion.
- Hiking trails: Never leave the signposted walking routes and hiking trails. Especially in snow-covered glacier areas and on via ferratas a chest and sit harness, secured by a rope, are absolutely required.
- Environment: Respect nature in high Alpine regions and don't leave garbage in the mountains. Please help us to keep the mountains tidy!
Tour planning & equipment
Going for a walk or hiking? Especially for a tour in the high mountains, you need some tools and suitable equipment. With our packing list you can enjoy your hike and the village atmosphere when you stop off.
Tour planning. Some professional tips
The longer the tour, the more complex the planning. Multi-day tours in particular require detailed planning. Always respect the mountain climate and keep safety in mind. In general, it is better to end a tour early than to get caught in a sudden change of weather in the high mountains.
Good planning is also important for a relaxing day trip. Which route would you like to complete? How long does it take and how demanding is it? What about the lunch offers and huts along the route? Could you take shelter there in a storm? Compare this information with your weather app and make sure you have suitable footwear and rain protection. Telescopic poles also offer beneficial relief for leg muscles and joints. A first aid kit should also be included in your backpack. Once everything is prepared, you can venture into the diverse nature of Gurgl.
Ideally, you can prepare for a multi-day tour at home and improve your fitness. You should also reserve the accommodation for your tour before you put on your hiking boots. A bivouac bag is also an option in the summer season.
Want to know more? The Ötztal magazine has further tips for day tours and multi-day tours for you.
Equipment - the must-haves for a pleasant nature experience
Sun, snow and wind? No matter how long you will be on the road, you should install a weather app in advance and turn on the push notifications. But it's not just the weather that can thwart your plans. Your equipment should be adequate to deal with any potential difficulties you might encounter on the mountainside. So that you are always on the safe side, we provide you with two packing lists here.
For a day trip you should pack:
- Breathable outdoor clothing suitable for the weather outlook
- Food for everyone involved, especially water bottles and glucose
- First aid equipment (plasters, bandages, disinfection…)
- Fully charged cell phone, power bank, chargers
- Hiking map and literature or corresponding offline apps
- Sun protection - sunglasses, cream and hat
- Rain protection
- Cash
- Toiletries
- Hiking boots and telescopic poles
For a multi-day tour you also need:
- Pocket knife
- Alpine Club ID card (if available)
- Bivouac bag
- Gloves and hat
- Headlamp
- Hut sleeping bag
- Hand towel
- Trekking socks
- Change of clothes
Gurgl hiking maps
Up-to-date hiking and touring maps plus exactly researched hiking and touring guides are absolutely needed for a memorable mountain hiking tour. The Ötztal Tourismus Information Offices provide the best material of the most renowned publishers. Additionally, you will get personal advice and tips for the next mountain adventure in Gurgl and throughout Ötztal.
We recommend the following maps and guides for hikes and tours in the Ötztal Alps:
- Ötztaler Alpen, Ötztal, Pitztal, Kompass Wanderkarten - 43
Wandern, Rad, Skitouren. Mit Panorama. GPS-genau, 1:50.000 - Inneres Ötztal, Kompass Wanderkarten - 042
Gurgler Tal, Venter Tal, Pitztal. Wandern, Rad, Skitouren. GPS-genau, 1:25.000 - Ötztal - doppelseitige Spezialkarte, Verlag Mayr
Wander- Rad- MTB- und Tourenkarte, 1:35.000 - Ötztal - doppelseitige Spezialkarte, Verlag Mayr
Wander- Rad- MTB- und Tourenkarte mit 130 Wanderwegbeschreibungen, 1:35.000