Niederthai im Ötztal is one of the few granite climbing areas in Tirol. The huge rock known as "Minas Tirith & Glatteis" is located in a cauldron-like arena with an area of sparse forest at 1,500 metres above sea level. The best time for climbing is between spring and autumn. All of the most interesting routes are relatively hard. A good example is the challenging pitch is "Le Miracle", which was first climbed in 1993 by Matthias Burtscher and is a must for climbers in Niederthai.
"For me personally one of the best rock climbing routes in Tirol. A challenging, long pitch along an impressive vertical crack. Definitely a route that catches your eye!“
Topography
Climbing area
Difficulty ratings
Number of routes
Difficulty rating 5
6
Difficulty rating 6
37
Difficulty rating 7
59
Difficulty rating 8
29
Total number of routes 131
Type of rock
Granite
Orientation
North, East, South, West
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
* These are approximate values and recommendations. Please take your personal fitness level, technical ability and the current weather conditions into account. Tirol Werbung cannot guarantee that the information provided is correct and accepts no liability.
Climbing route "Le Miracle"
Route length
22m
Difficulty rating (French)
7b
Route number in topo
6
Route established by
Matthias Burtscher (1993)
Parking
From Oetz, drive into the valley as far as Umhausen. Here there is a road which turns off to the left towards Niederthai. Continue past the swimming lake, along a few switchback corners until, after around 5km, you reach a car park on a left-hand turn in the road.
Approach
From the car park follow the walking path towards "Wiesle". After around 15 minutes you will reach the first routes in the climbing area.
Downloads
Trail description
The route "Le Miracle" is located in a section known as "Minas Tirith & Glatteis" and begins with a tough section followed by an easier part where climbers can rest. Then it is time to move on to the crux of the route. Those climbing the route on sight and for the first time may have trouble here working out which hand to use for the narrow crack, but once this tricky section has passed the crack widens and it is more about technique than strength all the way to the top.
