When it comes to rock climbing in the Ötztal Valley, it is hard to know where to start.
The region, home to the famous alpinist Hansjörg Auer, offers a huge range of options for those who like to scale the heights, including hundreds of sport climbing routes, numerous multi-pitch routes and plenty of ice climbing in winter. The 65km valley is dominated by hard granite, the ideal rock for climbing.
There are several dedicated climbing areas such as those in Oetz and Oberried, which offer safe and easy routes for beginners and families. One of the valley's main attractions is the Area 47 outdoor adventure park near Oetz, which has numerous climbing and bouldering walls and even gives visitors the opportunity to climb a huge concrete pillar supporting a bridge spanning the valley.
Sport climbing routes in the Ötztal Valley
The Ötztal Valley is simply a dream for rock climbers. The climbing area in Oberried is one of the largest in the valley and has plenty of easy options for beginners and families. The village of Oetz and the Engelswand rockface in Tumpen also have lots of beginner-friendly routes, with the latter also having a car park. Visitors to Längenfeld will find a large sport climbing area with excellent rocks.
All sport climbing routes at a glance
Multi-pitch climbing routes in the Ötztal Valley
For those in search of longer climbs, there are several safe and easily accessible multi-pitch climbing routes near Nösslach. The Engelswand in Tumpen also has three routes. The Simmering and Geierwand climbing areas have significantly more multi-pitch options. Both are located near Haiming at the start of the valley. The options include several easy multi-pitch routes suitable for beginners.
All multi-pitch climbing routes at a glance
Via ferrata climbing routes in the Ötztal Valley
The Ötztal Valley is home to several via ferrata climbing routes, two of which are among the most spectacular in Tirol: the via ferrata by the Lehner Wasserfall waterfall near Längenfeld and the via ferrata by the Stuibenfall waterfall, at 159 metres the highest waterfall in Tirol. The latter is located close to the village of Niederthai and leads through a forest and over several rope bridges. Metal handholds and footholds drilled into the rockface make for a safe and enjoyable climbing experience. Expert climbers can take on the Reinhard-Schiestl-Klettersteig, a via ferrata built into the vertical Burgsteinwand rockface.
All via ferrata climbing routes at a glance
Ice climbing in the Ötztal Valley
Nowhere in Tirol are there more ice climbing routes than in the Ötztal Valley. All in all the valley is home to around 40 climbs. Most are to be found near Längenfeld, for example at the Griesslehnfall waterfall. This area is good for beginners. Another popular area in winter is known as Burgsteiner, but most of its routes are tricky and therefore for experts only. In the north of the valley, near Ochsengarten, there is a beginner-friendly ice climbing area at the Kühtaibacherl-Fall waterfall.
All ice climbing routes at a glance
Climbing parks in the Ötztal Valley
The Area 47 adventure park near Oetz is without a doubt the number one location for adrenaline junkies. It has a climbing "wall" on a 27-metre-high concrete pillar with routes catering for all abilities. It also has an overhanging boulder wall directly over a lake, meaning that visitors can climb without ropes and simply fall into the water. In Oetz there is a 10m Feelfree climbing tower, while Sautens has a high-rope adventure park suitable for all the family.
All climbing parks at a glance
Climbing for families in the Ötztal Valley
Four of the climbing areas in the Ötztal Valley have been designed with families in mind. The first is the climbing area in Längenfeld/Oberried, which is located next to a meadow and has its own play area. There are many easy and intermediate climbing routes available here. Families with also enjoy the climbing areas in Oetz, Sölden/Moosalm and Zirbenwald in Obergurgl. The latter has breathtaking views of the many 3,000m mountains and glaciers at the end of the Ötztal Valley.
