Summer in the Ötztal:

Leisure time and unlimited mountain exploration!

250 peaks higher than three thousand meters make a

wonderful backdrop for unlimited summer holidays full of

superlatives with plenty of adventures and recreation, white

waters and crystal clear lakes. What's best, the ultimate

Ötztal Card grants a variety of discounts, including countless

Ötztal highlights and special package deals for families,

gourmets and sportsmen at real bargain rates.

Watch out mountaineers: The Alps have a challenging new Haute

Route – the scenic Ötztal Trek featuring 22 stages and 15 alternative

routes with no less than 30,000 meters altitude gain and a total

distance of 400 kilometers. The majestic Ötztal Alps make an outdoor

paradise not only for expert alpinists and advanced climbers but also

for more leisurely walkers and ambitious mountain bikers: some

1,300 kilometers of perfectly signposted hiking trails and 700

kilometers of breathtaking mountain bike routes are spread all over

the valley's summits, slopes and plains.

Colorful landscape full contrasts

Tirol's longest Alpine valley stretches 67 kilometers southwards

between the Ötztal autobahn exit and the upper valley with the

biggest glacier ski area in the Eastern Alps. Throughout the summer

a variety of highlights are scheduled within the valley's eight lovely

holiday resorts - Haiming, Sautens, Oetz, Umhausen, Längenfeld,

Sölden, Vent and Obergurgl-Hochgurgl. They all have a very special

flair, ranging from sporty and stylish tourist centers to secluded

mountain villages off the beaten tracks where you can still spend

authentic summer holidays amid unspoilt nature.

The villages are spread over three terraced areas with different

altitudes. Therefore the contrasts are really unique! Right at the

entrance to the valley you can discover Haiming's Apple Route, the

central Ötztal boasts lush green meadows and fields, and in the

upper part you find the mountain villages of Vent and Obergurgl-

Hochgurgl at almost 2,000 meters above sea level, embedded in

flowering Alpine pasturelands. Obergurgl has the most beautiful

Alpine Rose fields in early summer, marsh marigolds and magic blue

gentian cover the entire landscape of awesome beauty. Additionally

the air is crisp and clean, almost pollen-free and therefore ideal for

allergy sufferers thanks to the immediate vicinity of the glaciers.

Nature trails & culture paths

Even more breathtaking nature experiences can be made on guided

theme hikes to the Ötztal Nature Park where rare herbs and

medicinal herbs can be found or where nature fans enjoy bird

watching in high Alpine regions. Interesting archaeological routes

take you to the former hunting grounds and Stone Age shepherds

places, following the tracks of Ötzi the Iceman who was discovered

by chance at the nearby Hauslabjoch ridge in the border area

between the Ötztal and South Tyrol.

The wonderful Ötzi Village in Umhausen displays everyday life and

work in the Neolithic period, providing a great variety of information

on Ötzi and his fellows. While the high-altitude pasturelands and

grazing areas in the surroundings of Vent or Hochgurgl give an

insight into the daily life on a farm in the 21st century.