Ötztal Trek Stage 12

Martin-Busch-Hut (2.501 m) - Similaunhut (3.017 m)

A Side-Trip to South Tirol

Similaunhütte, a privately-owned refuge, is located at 3017 meters above sea level, on the South Tirolean side of Niederjoch, a mountain pass between Tirol's Ötztal and South Tirol's Schnalstal. Similaunhütte and Similaun owe their fame to the Iceman, also called Similaun Man, who was discovered in 1991, eroding out of the glacier on Tisenjoch (about 1 ¼ hrs. walk from the hut). Many know the lodge also from the annual Large Trek during which thousands of sheep are driven from Schnalstal to the pastures in Niedertal and back. On their way the animals and shepherds walk past Similaunhütte. The tour from Martin-Busch- Hütte to Similaunhütte leads along River Niederjochbach into Niedertal. The trail then climbs gently through moraines. From Seibach River you stay on the moraine ridge all the way to "Bild". After "Bild" the trail continues without much elevation change to the glacier. Until 2008 hikers had to cross Niederjochferner, since 2008 there is a new trail circumventing it. This blazed trail leads west of Niederjochferner to Similaunhütte. The last section of this trail is rather steep.