A natural jewel, 365 days a year
Whether in summer or winter dress, lake Piburger See above Oetz simply cuts a sensational figure. The mountain lake (and its surroundings) is not only beautiful to look at, it also motivates you to take part in countless exciting activities. We have to look after such a treasure: lake Piburger See is one of the oldest nature reserves in Tirol.
Winter at lake Piburger See
Gliding time on ice skates across the frozen lake, walks on cleared winter hiking trails or fun on the toboggan hill – here all activities promise genuine nature exploration.
Facts:
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Altitude: 913 m
- Shoreline: approx. 1.9 km
- Length: approx. 800 m
- Width: approx. 240 m
- Depth: approx. 25 m
- One of the oldest nature reserves in Tirol
If you only know indoor ice skating or artificial ice surfaces with music entertainment, you are in for a treat. On lake Piburger See your hobby will take on a new dimension. The frozen, snow-covered lake surface spreads out in magical silence. And then it's just time to glide - on cleared tracks around the lake until your cheeks glow.
Facts:
- Free admission
- Natural ice surface is officially open if a minimum ice thickness is reached; also accessible for walkers
- Track area: 2 km long, 4 m wide
- Ice skate rental: Apartments Piburger See (T +43 664 5406 771)
- Changing room and sanitary facilities available
- As soon as the ice surface is officially open to the public, there is a shuttle bus from and to Oetz
- Entering the ice surface at your own risk; pay attention to any barriers and signs on site
It's not always easy to find suitable hikes for all the family. This is not the case at lake Piburger See: a child-friendly winter hiking network stretches from Oetz up to the frozen lake and around it.
Lake hiking routes at a glance
- Andreas-Hofer-Weg: From the information office in Oetz you walk along Ötztaler Ache river into the valley to Weller Bridge. Further on to lake Piburger See and Piburg, then back again to Oetz. (Walking time: approx. 2 hours)
- Elsinger Weg - Piburger See - Piburg: From the information office in Oetz you cross Piburger Bridge and take the wide forest path (Elsinger Weg) on the left up to lake Piburger See. There you hike along the left lakeshore to Piburg and back to Oetz. (Walking time approx. 1.5 – 2 hours)
- Sautens - Haderlehn - Piburger See: Above the church in Sautens you follow the toboggan run until you reach the road to Haderlehn. Continue to Ferienhof Haderlehn farm and take the forest road to Piburg. Return via Elsinger Weg to Oetz and Sautens. (Walking time approx. 1.5 hours)
Summer at lake Piburger See
Can a mountain lake be any more beautiful? Recharge your batteries while hiking, swimming or forest bathing.
Facts:
- Altitude: 913 m
- Shoreline: approx. 1.9 km
- Length: approx. 800 m
- Width: approx. 240 m
- Depth: approx. 25 m
- Barrier-free trail Piburg – lakeside swimming bath
- One of the oldest nature reserves in Tirol
You prefer warm waters? Then you will love lake Piburger See. As one of Tirol’s warmest swimming lakes, the soft water reaches temperatures of up to 25° C in midsummer. The best place to take a dive is the lakeside bathing complex on the southern shore, offering a restaurant with lakeside terrace, sunbathing area, barrier-free access to the lake and floating raft. Rowing boats are also available for rental here.
Please note: In order to preserve the sensitive flora and fauna of lake Piburger See, swimming is only permitted in the swimming zone at the lakeside bathing center.
Many paths lead to lake Piburger See. Either you hike up from the village center of Oetz, over Weller Bridge near Habichen, or you get a head start and begin your walk around the lake at the parking area in Piburg. While the narrow, partly rooty and rocky path on the eastern shore will fuel your spirit of adventure, the slightly wider trail on the western shore is even accessible with strollers.
With a valid fishing license you can let your fishing rod (and your soul) dangle into lake Piburger See: the natural fish population includes perch, chub, rudd and roach. Rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout as well as lake char and brook char are added for fishing purposes.
Facts:
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Fishing permits are available from the Oetz administration office (T +43 (0) 5252 6218) or from the bathing & boating facility (T +43 (0) 650 4743 615); permits are only issued on weekends from early May to late September.
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Only a maximum of 6 permits can be issued per day. Advance reservation is possible.
Achstürze - Piburger See natural conservation area
The outstanding and wild beauty of lower Ötztal already touched our ancestors. Lake Piburger See was declared a natural monument as early as 1929. It is the best-known figurehead of the popular Achstürze - Piburger See natural conservation area that includes the cultural landscape north of the hamlet of Piburg, the blocked forest around the lake as well as parts of Ötztaler Ache and Habicher See. The area provides an important habitat for rare plants and animals. The nature reserve area has been part of the Ötztal Nature Park since 2009.
Facts about protective measures of lake Piburger See:
- The use of radios, sound systems, loudspeakers and similar devices is prohibited in the entire shore and meadow area of the lake
- Any use of floating devices is prohibited in the entire lake area (inflatable boats, SUP boards, etc.) with the exception of air mattresses and the swimming buoys carried on the body for the safety of weak swimmers
- Camping and longer stays or tenting is strictly prohibited in the entire shore and meadow area outside the lakeside bathing center (for example: no blankets or air mattresses, hammocks, slacklines, picnic blankets, etc.)
- Any extended picnicking, barbecuing or use of fire pits is not permitted.
