Winter Hiking

In Ötztal's superb outdoors there are just the right trails for children, parents and grandparents. Depending on the stamina and age of the kids, families can start with easy and leisurely circular walks.

The "Rotes Wandl" hike in Hochoetz, for example, makes a perfect beginners' route to explore the mountain landscape step by step in the snow. This 40-minute walk through the picturesque stone pine forest towards the viewing platform is also suitable for smaller children who still prefer shorter walking rounds.

More experienced families should try the one-hour Drei-Kirchen-Blick loop tour. Walking through Sautens past the church, the trail travels to a fabulous lookout point and continues along a forest road that takes you back to the village in about one hour. Also in the rear Ötztal parents and kids find some fun-filled routes: in Obergurgl a path leads into the ancient stone pine forest towards Schönwieshütte mountain inn, another hike in Sölden follows the trail to cozy Stallwiesalm mountain hut.

Wintry Lake Piburger See, the landmark of the Oetz holiday region, also offers easy winter hikes for all the family. Special tip: shoulder a toboggan or pack your ice skates because the lake has (weather permitting!) a natural ice surface and a 1 km long, illuminated toboggan run – a fun-packed highlight for kids in particular.

Discover all activity options around Lake Piburger See in winter

Those who are surefooted also off the beaten track and already have some mountain climbing experience should head for Ötztal's longer but all the more impressive circular walking tours, especially in winter. For example, the Ochsengarten loop trail leads - in about four hours - on a slightly ascending forest route to Feldringalm vie Feldringerböden area to Marlstein and back. Another quite challenging winter hiking trail in Obergurgl travels from the base station of Hochgurgl mountain gondola via Isse meadows and along Ötztaler Ache mountain brook to Obergurgl. Great advantage: the training effect on the snowy ground is considerable.

In addition to the winter experience, safety is the top priority. We therefore recommend wearing good shoes with a good profile and planning your route in advance. With the help of the official signposts in the color "magenta", you can also be sure that you are on the right path.