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Long Distance Hiking recommended route

Ötztal Trek Route 4

Long Distance Hiking · Meraner Land
Logo Ötztal
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Ötztal Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Similaunhütte
    Similaunhütte
    Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal

ETAPPE 13 – 17

Similaunhütte (3.017 m) – Hochjoch-Hospiz (2.412 m) – Brandenburger Haus (3.274 m) – Vernagthütte (2.755 m) – Breslauer Hütte (2.844 m) – Restaurant Tiefenbach (2.789 m) – Rettenbachjoch (2.990 m) – Braunschweiger Hütte (2.758 m)

moderate
Distance 45.6 km
18:00 h
3,125 m
3,388 m
3,482 m
2,286 m

On Ötzi's tracks ETAPPE 13-17 Similaunhütte (3,017 m) - Hochjoch-Hospiz (2,412 m) - Brandenburger House (3.274 m) - Vernagthütte (2.755 m) - Breslauer Hütte (2.844 m) - Restaurant Tiefenbach (2.789 m) - Rettenbachjoch (2.990 m) - Braunschweiger Hütte 2,758 m) One of the most popular mountain regions is probably the glacier world around Vent in the Ötztal. On Route 4, we follow Ötzi's footsteps, of course, an alpine experience and a glacier with all its safety precautions are essential.

 

SECTION 13: SIMILAUNHÜTTE (3.017 m) –> HAUSLABJOCH (3.283 m) –> HOCHJOCH-HOSPIZ (2.412 m)

Course: Climbing, Path Requirements: Step safety, dizziness, condition, high alpine experience; Mountain path black, intersection alpine route Difficulties: Passage over Hochjochferner (columns); Mountain guide recommended Equipment: normal hiking equipment, crampons, pimples according to circumstances; In any case rope; Climbing on the glacier Duration: approx. 5 h Difference in altitude: approx. 450 Hm ascent, approx. 1.050 hm descent Highest point: 3.283 m Distance: approx. 7.5 km Accommodation, stop: Similaunhütte, Hochjoch-Hospiz Vent through the Niedertal to the Martin-Busch-Hütte and further to the Similaunhütte (about 4.5 h ascent, approx. 3.75 h descent); From Vent through the Rofental to Hochjoch-Hospiz (about 2,5 h ascent, about 2 h descent)

A tour under the sign of the ice man

 

First it goes from the hut over a wide back upwards, until the back turns into a steep block ridge. Fixed ropes are a help in this passage until the terrain in the last section of the Tisenjoch on the South Tyrolean side gets flatter again. The discovery of the ice-skier Ötzi here at the Tisenjoch is the highlight of the stage. In the end, we climb another 100 meters to Hauslabjoch. We enter the Hochjochferner and stop at the right edge northwards. At an elevation of 3,000 m, the glacier is abandoned and at 2,950 m the route leads into the path, which descends from the lake. Continue down the steep slope before the trail goes down into serpentines down into the Rofental. At 2.500 m, you cross the Hochjochbach and again hike in serpentines on steeper terrain down to the stream of the Hintereisferner. To the Hochjoch hospice, 100 challenging heights have to be managed.

 

SECTION 14: HOCHJOCH-HOSPIZ (2,412 m) -> BRANDENBURGER HOUSE (3.274 m)

Route: Climbing, Path Requirements: Walking security, basic level of dizziness, high alpine experience; Mountain path black, intermittent alpine route Difficulties: Passage over the boiler wall remover (columns); Mountain guide recommended Equipment: normal hiking equipment, crampons, pimples according to circumstances; In any case rope; Climbing up: from Vent through the "Hochjoch-Hospiz", the "Brandenburger Haus" (cross-country skiing trail) Rofental to Hochjoch-Hospiz (about 2,5 h ascent, about 2 h descent)

 

To the majestic Gletscherschloss

 

First you walk up the steep meadow slope behind the hut in serpentines. The course of the route becomes steeper and we can already recognize our goal. Majestically, the Brandenburger House is located at a height of 3,274 meters on a rock above the Kesselwandferner. Up to a height of more than 3,000 m you have followed the Delorette trail and you are now entering the splendid glacier. The route is marked with visible bars. Rasping, however, is an indispensable requirement! A good hour takes the passage in the eternal ice to the west and north-west. In the final section of the tour, the last meters of the rock climb to the Brandenburger Haus. Now it is said to enjoy location and panorama. The white ball, perhaps the most beautiful mountain in Tyrol, is one of the countless optical highlights.

 

 

DAILYTIP

Dahmannspitze (3.397 m) from the Brandenburger House (30 min ascent, approx. 20 min descent); Tread safety, dizziness; Most of the route is covered by mostly snow-covered, column-free ice fields; Crampons, pimples, rope generally not required; Bergweg schwarz Note: Fantastic sunset tour.

 

 

SECTION 15: BRANDENBURGER HAUS (3.274 m) –> FLUCHTKOGEL (3.497 m) –> VERNAGTHÜTTE (2.755 m)

Route: Climbing, path Requirements: tread safety, dizziness, high alpine experience; Mountain path black, intermittent alpine route Difficulties: Passage over boiler wall, Guslarferner and over glacier slope from the yoke to the escape creek (in each case columns); Mountain guide recommended equipment: usually crampons, pimples; In any case rope; Climbing on the glacier Walking time: approx. 4,5 h Difference in altitude: approx. 250 Hm ascent, approx. 800 Hm descents Highest point: 3,497 m Distance: approx. 5,5 km Stay, stop: Brandenburger Haus, Vernaghütte Cross- From Vent through the Rofental to Hochjoch Hospiz, from Hochjoch Hospiz via Deloretteweg and Kesselwandferner to Brandenburger House (about 6 h ascent, approx. 4,5 h descent); From Vent via the Vernagtegg to Vernagthütte (about 3.5 h ascent, about 2.5 h descent)

 

The glacier castle and a magnificent summit

 

We walk from the Brandenburger House through blockwork about 50 meters down to the Kesselwandferner. In succession we cross the glacier in north-east direction to the Upper Guslarjoch. Not even 150 meters of altitude separates us on the Upper Guslarjoch from the 3.497 m high escape coaster, the summit climb to the fabulous views is obligatory. From the yoke, you climb up to the summit on the right side of the glacier slope. Then back to the Upper Guslarjoch and from there to the relatively steep terrain down to the Guslarferner. It is now flat over the first distant floor, until you have to cross a terrain camp (especially here danger of splitting). After another steep slope, we descend south-eastwards. Finally, a trail leads in the moraine area or directly on the Moraine Ridge to the Vernagthütte.

 

 

 

SECTION 16 VERNAGAGÜTTE (2.755 m) -> BRESLAUER HÜTTE (2,844 m)

Route: Climbing Requirements: Step safety, dizziness; Mountain route red Difficulty: no special difficulties Equipment: normal hiking equipment Walking time: approx. 2 h Difference in altitude: approx. 300 Hm Rise, approx. 250 Hm Descent: 2,860 m Distance: approx. 7 km Stay overnight, stop: Vernagthütte, Breslauer Hütte , Exit: from Vent via the Vernagtegg to Vernagthütte (approx. 3,5 h ascent, approx. 2,5 h descent); From the Stablein station of the Wildschitze chair lift (valley Vent) to the Breslauer Hütte (about 1.5 h ascent, about 1.25 h descent)

 

Over the Rofental road

 

Walk down the slope before the hut and then descend to the valley of the Vernagtbach. From here, a great view of the Great Vernagtferner opens with the Hochvernagtspitze in the north and north-west. We cross the Vernagtbach and go on the opposite side to the flat soil at Platteiberg. From the Platteiberg the tour is only over the Rofental. The plateau is then crossed, a little later the trail passes through the Mitterkar. Directly above Mitterkar rises the Ötztaler Wildspitze, which presents an unfamiliar, because rocky face. At the Schutzhaus you can enjoy the view: Opposite, among other things, the Kreuzspitze rises up, in the southwest show Hochjochferner and the shapely white ball. TAGESTIPP Urkundholm (3.134 m) from the Breslau hut (about 1 h ascent, approx. 45 min descent); Safety and dizziness; Mountain road red

 

 

SECTION 17 BRESLAUER HÜTTE (2.844 m) -> RESTAURANT TIEFENBACH (2.789 m) -> RETTENBACHJOCH

Course: Climbing, Path Requirements: Step safety, dizziness, condition, endurance, high alpine experience; Bergweg 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 Duration: approx. 7,5 h Difference in altitude: approx. 650 Hm ascent, approx. 750 Hm descent Maximum point: 3,056 m Distance: approx. 15 km Accommodation: Breslauer Hütte, Braunschweiger Hütte, Restaurant Tiefenbach, T + 43 (0) 5254 5010 Crossing: 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 Rettenbacherfern over the Rettenbachjoch or the Pitztaler Jöchl to the Braunschweiger hut (about 1.75 h way, approx. 1.5 h Retourweg) Information on bus times between Tiefenbach- and Rettenbachferner T +43 (0) 57200 200

 

Over the Venter Valley and in the eternal ice

 

We descend on a trail - the route leads past the foothills of the Rofenkars. A little below, you will change left to the new high-way path, which runs over the Venter valley, to the original panoramic path between Vent and Tiefenbachferner. The trail then descends, then ascending and continues over the Venter valley to the restaurant Tiefenbach at the Tiefenbach glacier. At the restaurant Tiefenbach, you walk in front of the road tunnels on the left to the ski slope to Seiterjochl (follow the Seiterjochlbahn - chairlift). From Jöchl it is to the north to the Rettenbachferner descend. We turn left around Felssporn, head north-west and cross the glacier to Rettenbachjoch with the lift stations. From the yoke it goes down and finally to the Braunschweiger hut. VARIANT: By bus from the restaurant Tiefenbach to the valley station of Rettenbacherfern and on foot up to the top parking lot of the Gletscherstraße; From there up to the Pitztaler Jöchl (2.996 m) - the last meters over a column-free glacier field (u. Cramp); On the other side, downhill to the Braunschweiger hut; Approx. 1.75 h from Rettenbachferner station. When the Pitztaler Jochl is blocked. From the highest parking lot to the Rettenbachjoch (the last few meters uncomfortable at the glacier); About 1.75 h from the valley station to the hut.

 

more info

 

ARRIVAL

By train - from Innsbruck or Bregenz to Ötztal station, then by bus to the Ötztal to Vent By car - A12 exit Ötztal to Vent - cable car -> Parking Access - from Vent through the Niedertal to the Martin-Busch-Hütte and Continue to the Similaunhütte (about 4.5 h ascent)

INFORMATION

Ötztal Tourismus T +43 (0) 57200 Mountain guides (wandern.oetztal.com) Alpinsportscenter T +43 (0) 664 5016864 AlpinGuide T +43 (0) 664 4434684 Mountain sports and adventure school Sölden T +43 (0) 664 8478155 Bergführerstelle Obergurgl T +43 (0) 664 1839012 Mining company Vent T +43 (0) 5254 8106

 

HÜTTEN Similaun Hut T +43 (0) 676 5074502 Hochjoch Hospice T +43 (0) 664 5402574 Brandenburger Haus T +43 (0) 676 6468650 Vernagthütte T +43 (0) 664 1412119 Breslauer Hütte T +43 (0) 664 5300898 Braunschweiger Hütte T +43 (0) 664 5353722

 

ACCOMMODATION - WALKING SPECIALISTS IN THE ÖTZTAL

Hotel Alpenaussicht 6456 Obergurgl T +43 (0) 5256 6236 Alpengasthof Grüner 6450 Sölden T +43 (0) 5254 2214 RETURN TRANSPORTATION Public bus line Ötztaler Verkehrsbetriebe T +43 (0) 5254 3550 Postbus GmbH T +43 (0) 5412 66266

 

MISCELLANEOUS On this itinerary requires a glacier experience, possibly only with a mountain guide

Profile picture of Roland Grüner
Author
Roland Grüner 
Update: March 16, 2024
Difficulty
moderate
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
3,482 m
Lowest point
2,286 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Show elevation profile

Safety information

Bei dieser Route ist Gletschererfahrung notwendig, ev. nur mit Bergführer

Tips and hints

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

Start

Similaunhütte
Coordinates:
DD
46.772432, 10.854435
DMS
46°46'20.8"N 10°51'16.0"E
UTM
32T 641580 5181545
w3w 
///books.ballads.sarcastic

Destination

Braunschweiger Hütte

Turn-by-turn directions

Etappe 13:


Zunächst geht es von der Hütte über einen breiten Rücken aufwärts, bis sich der Rücken in einen steilen Blockgrat verwandelt. Fixseile stellen in dieser Passage eine Hilfe dar bis das Gelände im letzten Abschnitt zum Tisenjoch auf Südtiroler Seite wieder flacher wird. Die Fundstelle des Eismann Ötzi hier am Tisenjoch stellt das Highlight der Etappe dar. Im Anschluss steigen wir noch 100 hm zum Hauslabjoch empor. Wir betreten den Hochjochferner und halten uns am rechten Rand nördlich abwärts. Auf 3.000 m Höhe wird der Gletscher verlassen und in 2.950 m mündet die Route in den Steig ein, der vom Seikogel herabzieht.Weiter geht es den steilen Hang hinunter, ehe der Steig in Serpentinen hinab ins Rofental verläuft. Auf 2.500 m überquert man den Hochjochbach und wandert neuerlich in Serpentinen auf steilerem Terrain hinab zum Bach vom Hintereisferner. Zum Hochjoch-Hospiz müssen noch 100 anspruchsvolle Höhenmeter bewältigt werden.


Etappe 14:

Zunächst wandert man hinter der Hütte in Serpentinen den steilen Wiesenhang hinauf. Der Wegverlauf wird steiler und wir können unser Ziel bereits erkennen. Majestätisch thront das Brandenburger Haus in 3.274 m Höhe auf einem Felsen über dem Kesselwandferner. Bis in etwa mehr als 3.000 m Höhe ist man dem Deloretteweg gefolgt und man betritt nun den spaltenreichen Gletscher. Die Route ist mit sichtbaren Stangen markiert. Anseilen stellt aber eine unerlässliche Erfordernis dar. Eine gute Stunde dauert die Passage im ewigen Eis Richtung Westen bzw. Nordwesten. Im Schlussabschnitt der Tour geht es schließlich durch Blockwerk die letzten Meter den Felsen empor zum Brandenburger Haus. Die Weißkugel, der vielleicht schönste Berg Tirols überhaupt, ist eines der unzähligen optischen Highlights.


Etappe 15:

Wir wandern vom Brandenburger Haus durch Blockwerk rund 50 hm hinunter auf den Kesselwandferner. In Folge überqueren wir den Gletscher in nordöstlicher Richtung zum Oberen Guslarjoch. Nicht einmal 150 hm trennen uns auf dem Oberen Guslarjoch vom 3.497 m hohen Fluchtkogel, der Gipfelsieg auf den fabelhaften Aussichtsberg ist Pflicht. Vom Joch steigt man am rechten Rand des Gletscherhangs zum Gipfel empor. Dann wieder zurück zum Oberen Guslarjoch und von dort in relativ steilem Gelände hinunter auf den Guslarferner. Es geht nun flach über den ersten Fernerboden, bis man eine Geländekuppe überwinden muss (besonders hier Spaltengefahr). Im Anschluss an einen weiteren steilen Hang steigen wir dann südöstlich abwärts. Schließlich führt ein Steig im Moränengelände bzw. direkt auf dem Moränenrücken hinab zur Vernagthütte.


Etappe 16:

Man wandert den Hang vor der Hütte hinunter und steigt dann linker Hand ins Tal des Vernagtbachs ab. Von hier eröffnet sich ein großartiger Blick zum Großen Vernagtferner mit der Hochvernagtspitze im Norden bzw. Nordwesten. Wir überqueren den Vernagtbach und gehen auf der gegenüberliegenden Seite hinauf zu den flachen Böden am Platteiberg. Ab dem Platteiberg verläuft die Tour nur noch über dem Rofental. Man quert anschließend das Platteikar, wenig später leitet der Steig durch das Mitterkar. Direkt über dem Mitterkar erhebt sich die Ötztaler Wildspitze, die ein ungewohntes felsiges Gesicht präsentiert. Beim Schutzhaus heißt es die Aussicht genießen: Gegenüber ragt unter anderem die Kreuzspitze empor, im Südwesten zeigen sich Hochjochferner und die formschöne Weißkugel.


Etappe 17:

Wir steigen auf einem Steig ab - die Route leitet vorbei an den Ausläufern des Rofenkars. Ein Stück unterhalb wird links zum neuen Höhenweg gewechselt, der über dem Ventertal auswärts verläuft, um in den ursprünglichen Panoramaweg zwischen Vent und den Tiefenbachferner zu münden. Der Steig zieht anschließend noch hinunter, um in der Folge ansteigend und weiter über dem Ventertal zum Restaurant Tiefenbach am Tiefenbachgletscher zu leiten. Beim Restaurant Tiefenbach wandert man vor dem Straßentunnel links die Skipiste empor zum Seiter Jöchl (der Seiterjöchlbahn folgen – Sessellift). Vom Jöchl heißt es nach Norden auf den Rettenbachferner absteigen (Steigeisen notwendig)! Wir gehen links um den Felssporn herum, halten uns Richtung Nordwesten und queren bergseitig des Gletscherbruchs zum Rettenbachjoch mit den Liftstationen. Vom Joch geht es hinab und schließlich zur Braunschweiger Hütte.

 

Variante:

Mit dem Bus vom Restaurant Tiefenbach zur Talstation am Rettenbachferner und zu Fuß hinauf zum obersten Parkplatz der Gletscherstraße; von dort empor zum Pitztaler Jöchl (2.996 m) – die letzten Meter über ein spaltenfreies Gletscherfeld (u. U. Steigeisen); jenseits unschwierig hinab zur Braunschweiger Hütte; ca. 1,75 h ab Talstation Rettenbachferner. Bei Sperre des Pitztaler Jöchls: vom obersten Parkplatz zum Rettenbachjoch (die letzten Meter unschwierig am Gletscher); ca. 1,75 h von der Talstation zur Hütte.

Public transport

Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

 

Directions

Vent is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

 

Parking

The following parking facilities are available in Vent: In front of the village and at the valley station from the chair lift (payable)

Coordinates

DD
46.772432, 10.854435
DMS
46°46'20.8"N 10°51'16.0"E
UTM
32T 641580 5181545
w3w 
///books.ballads.sarcastic
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Equipment

It is recommended to wear hiking equipment such as breathable and weather-adapted outdoor clothing, ankle-high mountain boots, wind, rain and sun protection, cap and possibly gloves. It is also important to have enough food, as well as a first-aid package, a cell phone and a hiking map.

Similar routes nearby

  • Ötztal Trek Stage 13
  • Ötztal Trek Stage 12
  • Ötztal Trek Stage 14
  • Ötztal Trek Stage 16
  • Ötztal Trek Stage 15
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
45.6 km
Duration
18:00 h
Ascent
3,125 m
Descent
3,388 m
Highest point
3,482 m
Lowest point
2,286 m

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