Snowshoe & Winter Hiking

Tauferberg area is a flat, wood-covered area in the west of Niederthai - stretching down to Ötztal's valley bottom near Umhausen. Countless walking paths and hiking trails can be found here. It is strongly recommended NOT to leave the signposted trails.
 
Starting point: car park next to the football field in Niederthai. Along the winter walking path to Tellerboden area - after approx. 50m you turn left into the forest trail named "Tauferbergrundgang" (loop trail) - continue on the forest trail until you get to the next fork-off - always keep to the left and follow the trail to the next junction - walk to the left again and proceed until you reach the next walking trail. Here you start the snowshoe hike: through Tauferberg forest towards Mauslesattel area - slightly descending you reach the forest trail leading to Jausenstation Wiesle - on the same route back to Niederthai and the football field.

Hiking time: 1.5 - 2 hours

From Niederthai Information Office you cross the bridge on the left, towards the hamlet of Sennhof - take the ascending trail to the right of the fire department - across the snow-covered meadows to Bergmahderweg - follow the trail into Horlachtal valley, past Hubertuskapelle chapel to Jausenstation Larstigalm (1770m, 2 hours - both ways).

Real experts can continue uphill along the winter walking route to Kleinhorlachalm - leaving behind the mountain hut, you follow the ski mountaineering route to Finstertal and Finstertaler Sennhütte (not serviced) - enjoy the breathtaking views of the Alpine scenery.

Refreshment stops: Jausenstation Larstigalm, Schweinfurter Hütte

Walking tour (long route): 4 - 4.5 hours

Start the snowshoe hike at the car park behind Hotel Falknerhof. Along Grastalweg trail until you reach the fork-off to "Grastalsee" (shortcut!) - a steeply rising ski mountaineering route takes you to Grastal and towards Grastalsee (follow signposts). There is also a less challenging route in direction Grastalfeld and further on - to the right - along the forest trail to Grastal.

Via the shortcut you reach the broad cart trail after about 20 minutes; this trail takes you up to the hunter's lodge. Snowshoe hikers in excellent physical condition should walk uphill to the treeline at the very end of "Grastal" valley where stunning vistas of the four high Alpine side valleys of Horlachtal await you - as well as the hidden Grastalsee mountain lake (with its picturesque turquoise color in summer).

After a hearty snack you take the descending forest trail down to Grastalfeld and further on to Niederthai.

Hiking time: 3 hours

Starting point: Mure car park in Umhausen. Follow Rosslachgasse in direction Kentalweg where the snowshoe tour starts - the ascending winter walking trail leads first to Hirschberg and then in switchbacks further on towards Niederthai. The panoramic views of the scenic valley, Umhausen and the surrounding Ötztal Alps are really rewarding! Return to Umhausen on foot or take the ski & cross-country ski bus from Gasthof Stuibenfall.

Refreshment stops: Jausenstation Bichl, Gasthof Leiter's Hoamatl or Gasthof Stuibenfall

Hiking time: 2.5 hours