Winter hiking Tirol
There is always a path
Up to the mountain tops, amidst snow-covered Alpine landscapes: in Tirol’s Ötztal you will find more winter hiking trails than you can cover in one season. A total of 250 km of signposted, groomed routes between the entrance to the valley and Vent or Gurgl will keep you and your family on the go. And yes, it’s true: winter hiking inspires toddlers as well as over-stimulated digital natives and their grandparents. Here we go!
Winter family hiking in lower Ötztal
With smaller children, leisurely loop hiking tours are the best choice. For example, “Rotes Wandl” hike in Hochoetz with only 40 minutes walking time, leading through the pine forest to the viewing platform. Motivation galore, as experienced parents know! The three churches view loop walk around Sautens takes around an hour and also features a vista point. Unrivaled lake Piburger See nestles in a basin above Oetz. A child-friendly winter hiking network winds its way from the village up to the frozen lake banks. Worth a try: the short but enjoyable toboggan run from Piburg down to the lake. Local shops also offer toboggan renta
Every altitude meter is worth it
You can find more family-friendly routes in Upper Ötztal, such as the hike from Sölden to lovely zur Stallwiesalm or from Obergurgl through the pine forest to quaint Schönwieshütte. As the route shows, you don't have to go without refreshments like dumplings, scrambled pancakes & many more delights. You can also keep up the wintry hiking tradition in the mountaineering village of Vent. A well cleared loop hiking trail takes you across the village and its most scenic spots at the valley’s rear end. Somewhat more demanding routes such as the stretch from Hochgurgl gondola via Isse-Wiesen to Obergurgl make a perfect high-altitude training, comprising all the well-known positive effects.
Take a break from noise, stress and high-tech
Sometimes the simplest things are the most intense. You don't have to study a huge sports catalog for winter hiking in Ötztal. Treat yourself to sturdy winter boots that keep the cold and moisture outside, dress according to the onion principle with breathable parts and pack a small backpack with a thermos flask and bread with bacon. If you want, you can use walking poles or spikes to avoid slipping. On the way you will soon recognize that the world becomes a little easier and clearer with each step. You breathe crystal clean mountain air, indulge in the resinous smell of the trees and – in addition to soothing silence - you sharpen your senses.
Maybe a bit beyond that?
If you prefer deep snow to cleared paths, it is best to strap a pair of snowshoes under your soles. Thanks to the wide contact surfaces, you hardly sink in and feel like Bigfoot himself. It’s quite possible that you will meet a real Alpine animal or at least animal tracks while trudging on snowshoes through the Ötztal Nature Park. You will experience a true one-of-a-kind moment of happiness as soon as you step out of the forest after a challenging climb, and you will find yourself amidst an untouched, glittering winter wonderland. Around Ochsengarten, for example. Psst … Ötztal’s guides reveal the most scenic spots only to their tour group.
