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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Stage 17

Ötztal Trek Stage 17

Long Distance Hiking · Ötztal
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  • Breslauer Hütte
    Breslauer Hütte
    Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
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Explanation

Selected alternatives for you
    Breslauer Hütte (2.844 m) –> Restaurant Tiefenbach (2.789 m) –> Rettenbachjoch (2.990 m) –> Braunschweiger Hütte (2.758 m)
    difficult
    Distance 16.4 km
    6:00 h
    1,080 m
    1,164 m
    3,044 m
    2,455 m
    • Course: Climbing, Path
    • Requirements: Step safety, dizziness, condition, endurance, high alpine experience;
    • Mountain path black, partly alpine route
    • Difficulties: glacier crossing over the Rettenbachferner (columns, path not marked); Mountain guide recommended
    • Equipment: normal hiking equipment, crampons, pimples according to circumstances; In any case rope; Climbing on the glacier
    • Huts: Breslauer Hut, Braunschweiger Hut, Restaurant Tiefenbach (no overnight stay)
      Acess / exit point: Exit Stablein from the chair lift Wildspitze (valley Vent) to Breslauer Hütte (approx. 1,5 h ascent, approx. 1,25 h descent);
      from the valley station of the Rettenbacherferner over the Rettenbachjoch or the Pitztaler Jöchl to the Braunschweiger hut (about 1.75 h way, approx. 1.5 h way back)
    • Information on bus times between Tiefenbach- and Rettenbachferner T +43 (0) 57200 200
    Profile picture of Roland Grüner
    Author
    Roland Grüner 
    Update: April 26, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    3,044 m
    Lowest point
    2,455 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 1.87%Forested/wild trail 1.87%Path 81.18%Unknown 15.06%
    Asphalt
    0.3 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0.3 km
    Path
    13.3 km
    Unknown
    2.5 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Brunswick hut
    Breslauer Hütte

    Safety information

    For high alpine experienced mountaineers that are free from vertigo & surefooted. Excellent physical condition, extensive mountain experience, alpine climbing gear, safety- and orientation guide, good weather conditions recommended. Please pay attention to the current weather report

    Tips and suggestions

    Did you know that…

    ...Rofental valley was settled by shepherds from Schnalstal (South Tyrol).

     

    More details about hiking In Ötztal: www.oetztal.com/hiking

    Turn-by-turn directions

    ABOVE VENTERTAL IN THE ETERNAL ICE

    At the trailhead you descend on a steep path - the route leads past the foothills of Rofenkar cirque. A little below you change to the left to the new High AlitudeTrail that travels out of Ventertal valley and joins the original Vent-Tiefenbachferner Panorama Trail. The footpath then descends in order to continue climbing high above Ventertal to the Tiefenbach restaurant (Tiefenbach Glacier). Once there, in front of the road tunnel, you hike up the ski slope on the left towards Seiter Jöchl (follow Seiter Jöchlbahn chairlift). From Jöchl you descend to the north down to Rettenbach Glacier (crampons required)!

    You circle the rocky promontory to the left and continue in a northwestern direction to the icefalls. Then you continue to Rettenbachjoch and its lift stations. From there the footpath drops down to Braunschweiger Hütte.


    Alternative: by bus from Tiefenbach Glacier to Rettenbach Glacier. 
    by bus from Restaurant Tiefenbach to the base terminal of Rettenbach glacier; walk to the upper parking lot and hike up to Pitztaler Jöchl (2996m) – the last part of the trail takes you across a crevasse-free glacier field (crampons might be useful); from Pitztaler Jöchl it’s an easy walk down to Braunschweiger Hütte;
    walking time from the base terminal of Rettenbach glacier: approx. 1 ¾ hrs.
    If Pitztaler Jöchl is closed: from the upper parking lot hike to Rettenbachjoch (easy glacier section on the last few meters);
    walking time from the base terminal: approx. 1 ¾.

    Rest stop
    Tip
    Nearby
    Top Partner
    Waypoint
    Start point
    End point
    Low point
    High point
    Forecast
    Photo
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    Public transport

    Travel safe and comfortable with the train to the Ötztal Bahnhof train station. Last stop and exit point is the train station Ötztal Bahnhof. Afterwards you can travel smoothly and quick with the public transport or our local taxi companies through the valley to your desired destination. Please find the current bus timetable here: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

     

    Directions

    The car drive to the Ötztal valley. Situated in Tirol, the Ötztal valley set off in southerly direction and is the longest side valley in the Eastern Alps. The journey with the car leads you through the Inntal valley to the entrance of the valley and further on through the valley. Among the toll motorways you can also use the country roads. A route planner will show you the easiest and most convenient way: https://www.google.at/maps

    Parking

    The following parking facilities are available in Vent:

    - Vent village entrance | chargeable | Multi-day ticket available

    - Chairlift valley station | chargeable | Multi-day ticket available

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.868038, 10.879350
    DMS
    46°52'04.9"N 10°52'45.7"E
    UTM
    32T 643228 5192214
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Author’s map recommendations

    Kompass Hiking Map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)

    Equipment

    Appropriate equipment such as breathable suitable outdoor clothes for the weather, is for all hikes and tours necessary. Please bring a first-aid box, a mobile phone, a walking map and if there is no hut on the way a snack and enough to drink.

    Ice axe, crampons, rope | Mountain guide recommended.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Ötztaler Urweg E7 Vent - Gaislach
    • European E5 long-distance hiking trail – King's Segment – Vent to Obergurgl (alternative route)
    • Ötztal Trek Stage 16
    • Ötztal Trek Stage 14
    • Ötztal Trek Stage 12
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    16.4 km
    Duration
    6:00 h
    Ascent
    1,080 m
    Descent
    1,164 m
    Highest point
    3,044 m
    Lowest point
    2,455 m
    Scenic Refreshment stops available Linear route

    Statistics

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    Descent
    Elevation profile