Ötztal

RegionMountains

Spanning approximately 65 kilometers, the Ötztal extends from the Inntal, west of Innsbruck, south into the glacier world of the Ötztal Alps.

by Felix Gillen

Spanning approximately 65 kilometers, the Ötztal extends from the Inntal, west of Innsbruck, south into the glacier world of the Ötztal Alps. Along the route are Tyrol's highest waterfall near Umhausen, the thermal spa in Längenfeld, Sölden with its summit lifts, and at its far end, Vent and Obergurgl. The glacier mummy Ötzi was discovered at the Tisenjoch in 1991.

From the Inn to the GlaciersThe valley begins at Ötztal-Bahnhof, where the Ötztaler Ache flows into the Inn at around 670 meters, approximately 45 kilometers west of Innsbruck. Upstream follow Sautens, Oetz, Umhausen, Längenfeld, and Sölden. At Zwieselstein, the valley divides into the Venter Tal and the Gurgler Tal; the Ötztal Alps are to the west, and the Stubai Alps to the east.Water, Rock and IceNear Umhausen, the Stuibenfall plunges 159 meters in two stages, considered Tyrol's highest waterfall. In Sölden, the Gaislachkoglbahn takes you to over 3,000 meters. In Längenfeld, you'll find the Aqua Dome thermal spa, opened in late 2004.Tips for Your VisitWith the Ötztal Inside Summer Card, which is included in the price at over 400 partner establishments, you can ride public bus lines in the valley for free in summer.At the end of the valley, the toll road Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road leads to South Tyrol. It is usually only open from mid-June to mid-October and closed at night between 8 PM and 7 AM.

Sights in Ötztal

Discover the most important sights and attractions

Attraction

Stuibenfall

Tyrol's highest waterfall plunges near Umhausen in two stages, a total of 159 meters deep. A path with around 700 steps, several viewing platforms, and an 80-meter-long suspension bridge leads up along the falls towards Niederthai. Every Wednesday evening, the waterfall is illuminated.

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Museum

007 Elements

The installation on the summit of the Gaislachkogl above Sölden is situated at around 3,050 meters, directly at the mountain station of the Gaislachkoglbahn. It opened in July 2018 and tells the story of the filming of the Bond movie Spectre, which took place here in 2015. The neighboring Restaurant ice Q served as the Hoffler Clinic in the film.

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Restaurant

Aqua Dome

Längenfeld's thermal spa opened late 2004 and is connected to a hotel. After a day of hiking in the valley, it offers a relaxing day with mountain views.

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Attraction

Timmelsjoch Alpine Highway

The toll pass road has run since 1968 from Hochgurgl via the Timmelsjoch to the Passeier Valley in South Tyrol. It is generally open from mid-June to mid-October, closed nightly between 8 PM and 7 AM, and impassable for trucks.

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Culture and History

Ötzi and the Neolithic AgeIn 1991, the glacier mummy, who lived around 3300 BC, was found at Tisenjoch high above the Venter Valley. At Ötzi Village in Umhausen, an archaeological open-air park with a birds of prey park, you can learn more about his world. The season runs from May to October.Sheep and DialectIn mid-June, shepherds drive more than 3,000 sheep from Schnalstal in South Tyrol to the pastures near Vent; they return in September. The Ötztal dialect has been listed in the Austrian Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2010.Bond on the SummitIn 2015, scenes for the James Bond film Spectre were shot on the Gaislachkogl above Sölden. Since July 2018, the 007 Elements installation there, at around 3,050 meters, tells the story of the filming.

Exploring the Area

Getting HereÖtztal train station is located in the Inntal valley at the valley entrance, approximately 45 kilometers west of Innsbruck. From there, bus line 320 runs via Längenfeld and Sölden to Obergurgl, and line 330 connects Sölden with Vent.By Bus and Guest CardThe Ötztal Inside Summer Card covers public buses in the valley during the summer season, and sometimes also includes bicycle transport to Obergurgl.You can find timetables and seasonal operating times at Ötztal Tourismus.By CarOnly one valley road leads into and out of the valley from the Inntal. The only other connection in summer is the toll road Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road to South Tyrol; it is closed to lorries.

Round trips through this region

Western Austria: Lake Constance, Arlberg and Zillertal

The trip starts in Bregenz on Lake Constance and leads through the Bregenz Forest, with its cheese-making alpine dairies, over the Hochtannberg Pass to the Arlberg and the villages of Lech and St. Anton. From there you continue into the Ötztal Valley with the Stuibenfall waterfall and the summit lifts of Sölden, then on to Innsbruck, and finally into the Zillertal Valley with the Schlegeis Reservoir and a side trip over the Gerlos Alpine Road to the Krimml Waterfalls. A car gives you the most flexibility, and most legs take 45 minutes to an hour. Bregenz, St. Anton, Ötztal station, Innsbruck and Jenbach are on the rail network, and buses serve the valleys, often free with local guest cards. This is a summer route: the road between Warth and Lech is closed in winter, and many cable cars and hiking buses only run during the summer season.

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