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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Stage 2

Ötztaler Urweg E2 Oetz - Niederthai

Long Distance Hiking · Ötztal
Logo Ötztal
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Ötztal Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
STAGE 2: 

OETZ –> Weller Bridge –>  Habicher See –> Elisabeths Höhe –> Tumpen –> Engelswand –> Lehn Platzl –> Maria Schnee –> Farstrinne –> Wienersteig –> Steppsteig –> Stuiben Falls –> NIEDERTHAI

moderate
Distance 15.3 km
5:30 h
1,069 m
305 m
1,542 m
776 m
FROM A SECLUDED MOUNTAIN LAKE TO THE RUSHING WATERFALLS

 

The old village center of Oetz is characterized by historical façade paintings. This stage travels right through this picture-book area deeply rooted in the valley's history. One of the authentic places is Habichen's former "Ice Cellar" near the small Habicher See lake fed by ice cold mountain waters: the cold air is led through tiny underground tunnels into a small rock crevice.

 

At the height of Tumpen the Ötztal is a wide open valley with green meadows in full bloom, surrounded by steep rock faces. On the next kilometers the route travels past the picturesque little Maria Schnee church, a popular place of pilgrimage! From quiet forest paths and meadow trails you now proceed towards an extremely turbulent white water area – the Stuiben Falls, Tirol's biggest waterfall. Huge masses of mountain waters are rushing into the cleft, only a stone's throw away from the hiking trail and the vantage platforms which make for a memorable experience. Once on top, the sunny Alpine plateau of Niederthai invites you to enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Profile picture of Judith Schöpf
Author
Judith Schöpf
Update: March 18, 2024
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,542 m
Lowest point
776 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 12.62%Dirt road 6.67%Forested/wild trail 24.29%Path 45.69%Road 10.71%
Asphalt
1.9 km
Dirt road
1 km
Forested/wild trail
3.7 km
Path
7 km
Road
1.6 km
Show elevation profile

Safety information

Surefootedness, a good physical shape, stamina

No major difficulties

Tips and hints

Did you know that…

... the "Ice Cellar" of Habichen was still used as a refrigerator to store perishable food until the 1960s because of its ice cold air streams coming from the underground.

 

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

Start

Oetz
Coordinates:
DD
47.202555, 10.898589
DMS
47°12'09.2"N 10°53'54.9"E
UTM
32T 643793 5229422
w3w 
///laudable.dwarfish.accordance

Destination

Niederthai

Turn-by-turn directions

From the central car park, turn right into Achrainweg and follow the path parallel to Ötztaler Ache river. You walk comfortably on a gravel trail along the rivershore and the meadows until you get to the edge of the forest and the splendid Weller Bridge. At the Weller Bridge you keep left and follow the signs towards Habichen.
A few steps lead into the forest and after a shorttime to the western part of the hamlet. There you follow the route across the meadows, keeping to the right in front of the underpass.
After crossing the bridge, you turn right at the next fork-off and immediately leave the settlement behind you. Past Habichen‘s Ice Cellar you reach hidden lake Habicher See. From there you walk slightly uphill, and later on a level trail, along the shore of Tumpenbach brook. Branching off to the left, the route leads steeply uphill to Tumpen via Elisabeth‘s Höhe. Followed by a leisurely walk along the forest path, past Engelswandrock face, the hamlets of Lehn Platzl and the Maria Schnee chapel.
After the bridge crossing Farstrinne you turn left (uphill) into the dense forest to Wienersteig trail. Later Steppsteig takes you straight up to the foot of the mighty Stuiben Falls - Tirol‘s biggest waterfall. Countless stairs in close vicinity to the falling water masses finally take you up to the hamlet of Niederthai.

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

Oetz is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

 

Parking

The following parking facilities are available in Oetz:
  • Parking Acherkogelbahn - free for guests of the gondola lift, camping prohibited
  • Parking lot Raftingeinsteinstelle (at the end of Oetz on the right side) - free, but limited parking (alternatively Acherkogelbahn 150 m), camping prohibited
  • Oetz parking area (subject to a charge)
  • Parking at night during several days' tours: Central parking place Oetz, The ticket is available at the information office Oetz.

Coordinates

DD
47.202555, 10.898589
DMS
47°12'09.2"N 10°53'54.9"E
UTM
32T 643793 5229422
w3w 
///laudable.dwarfish.accordance
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Equipment

Standard hiking equipment, sturdy hiking boots

Similar routes nearby

  • Ötztaler Urweg E12 Sautens - Haiming - Ötztal Bhf
  • Ötztaler Urweg
  • Ötztaler Urweg E1 Ötztal Bhf - Oetz
  • Ötztal Trek
  • Ötztal Trek Route 1
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
15.3 km
Duration
5:30 h
Ascent
1,069 m
Descent
305 m
Highest point
1,542 m
Lowest point
776 m

Statistics

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Features
Maps and trails
  • 3 Waypoints
  • 3 Waypoints
Distance  km
Duration : h
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