Walking in Tirol, Austria
From leisurely riverside walks to exciting via ferratas and with endless hiking trails criss-crossing the rugged mountains, there is a lot to explore while walking in Tirol. Here we suggest a few via ferrata routes (klettersteig) and some popular trails in Tirol’s Ötztal Valley that lies less than 60km from the popular Innsbruck.
Walking in Tirol – Stuibenfall
Distance 10km
Time: 4hr 30min (including via ferrata)
Total ascent: 910m
Difficulty: easy
A series of viewing platforms allow you to get close to Tirol’s tallest waterfall with its 159m height and watch the immense amount of water cascading down from different angles.
The first viewing platform is reached about 30min walk from Umhausen. Climb the steps to the second, and then the spectacular hanging stairs take you to the third viewing platform where you will most definitely get wet. Iron steps lead all the way up to the final, fifth viewing platform. VIEW MAP
Stuibenfall via ferrata (Klettersteig)
Equipped section length: 450m
Total ascent: 300m
Time: 2hr 30min – 3hr
Access time: 20min
Descent time: 40min
Maximum difficulty: C
If you are walking in Tirol you definitely have to try this route. There is a more dramatic, and more demanding route, the exciting via ferrata (or klettersteig in Austria) between the first and last viewing platform. (Only opt for this if you have a via ferrata kit, or hire the gear in the village). You will even get to cross over the waterfall on a cable bridge. This route is suitable for beginners and children over 140cm.
From the top of the waterfall you can follow the path a bit further to find a restaurant. If you can’t tear yourself away from the stunning waterfall you can return to Umhausen via the busier metal stairway or if you want a less busy route you can to return to Umhausen on forest paths.
Walking in Tirol – Four Lakes Trail
Distance: 18km
Time: 8hr 30min
Total ascent: 1715m
Difficulty: demanding
The route starts at the edge of Lehn near Längenfeld that is only a few minutes drive from Umhausen. The forest path climbs steadily to a guesthouse and then a steep path takes you to Hauerseehütte, a mountain hut where you find the first of the four mountain lakes. The narrow path then traverses the rugged mountainside to the next mountain lake Unterer Spitzigsee. Surrounded by craggy mountains, each mountain lake is a different shade of blue or green. From the last lake Weißer See, you follow a ridge with far reaching mountain views, before dropping back down through forest to Lehn. It is best to allow a full day for this outing. VIEW MAP
Lehner waterfall via ferrata
Equipped section length: 430m
Total Ascent: 220m
Time: 1hr 30min – 2hr (easy option), 2hr 30min – 3hr (more difficult)
Access time: 20min
Descent time: 35min
Maximum difficulty: easy option – C (right fork), more difficult – D (left fork)
From the same car park (at the edge of Lehn) a 20min easy walk leads you to Lehner waterfall. There is also a fantastic (and very popular) via ferrata route that traverses the rocks and at the end takes you over a cable bridge to cross above the waterfall. If in doubt about the bridge, there is a way around it just before you reach crossing. This via ferrata is also suitable for beginners and children over 140cm with the suitable equipment of course. This is another via ferrata that you can’t miss when walking in Tirol. VIEW MAP
Walking in Tirol – Hemerkogel
Distance: 14km
Time: 7hr 30min
Total ascent: 1290m
Difficulty: demanding
Climb Hemerkogel (alt. 2757m) from the picturesque village of Niederthai. It is a steep climb with countless switchbacks but your efforts will be rewarded with a breathtaking panorama of the valley and the surrounding mountains. From the peak head towards the mountain lake (Grastalsee) that seems teasingly close to the ridge. However you have to scramble down among boulders to its shore. From the lake you can follow the easy path alongside the stream back to Niederthai. You will need most part of the day to complete this circuit. VIEW MAP
There are of course a lot more trails that you can come across while walking in Tirol. The options are endless and so as the beauty of the Ötztal Alps.
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