Climbing Tirol
From Ötztal straight to cloud nine
Offering 20 climbing gardens, 8 via ferratas and 750 routes, Ötztal is one of the Tirolean valleys with the handiest climbing opportunities. Here the climbing areas are so close together that you can almost hop over. The network of offers for ultimate climbing experience is very dense - ranging from certified local climbing & mountain guides to specialized climbing accommodations, you not only get concentrated expertise but also enthusiasm for the most beautiful of all (mountain) sports.
Beginners or experts, that's not the question here
Anyone who says Ötztal must also say granite. The characteristic hard rock often has jagged, horizontal layers as well as vertical and horizontal cracks. Its smooth friction properties make climbing on granite a true pleasure - whether on a continuously secured via ferrata or in a climbing garden with varied (single-rope) routes of different degrees of difficulty. Speaking of difficulty levels: beginners and families with children will find perfect conditions in Ötztal, for example in the climbing gardens of Oberried and Tumpen. The well-secured footpath along the Stuiben Falls also makes you want more in a playful way. Ambitious climbers can let off steam on multi-pitch tours, for example at Burgsteinwand near Längenfeld, in the areas around Niederthai and Nösslach or in upper Ötztal. The Schwärzenkamm via ferrata in Obergurgl leads up to a breathtaking 2760 meters above sea level.
Frosty vertical pleasures
Climbing is always in season in Ötztal, and that's not just because of the unique bad weather alternatives. In winter, when temperatures drop below zero, all eyes are on the icy mountain brooks. Dozens of frozen waterfalls in Ötztal, especially in Längenfeld, Umhausen and Oetz, make an ideal spot for spectacular ice climbing. To conquer them, you need enough rock-climbing experience as well as knowledge of belaying and climbing with crampons. The correct use of the ice ax must also be practiced before tackling the glittering wall of ice. The best thing to do is to enlist a local professional who can assess the type of ice and choose the right difficulty level for you. The ultimate level of improvement is night-time ice climbing on the waterfall in Längenfeld, when the icy blue ascent route is shining in the spotlight.
