The Ötztal Alps

The Ötztal Alps are a treasure trove for nature and mountain enthusiasts. Find out what makes them truly unique!

With its highest peak, the majestic Wildspitze, towering an impressive 3,768 metres above sea level, the Ötztal Alps provide a breathtaking backdrop. But there’s more to these mountains than their awe-inspiring heights – they also form the largest contiguous glacier area in the Eastern Alps and boast a diverse landscape jam-packed with flora and fauna. While some villages in this region buzz with activity, there are quieter, more remote areas that offer the chance to experience nature in its purest, most unspoilt form.

A particular highlight is the Ötztal Nature Park, a vast expanse of protected areas stretching from the valleys to the high Alpine zones shaped by glaciers. This network of natural beauty is home to charming mountain villages like Vent, where you’ll find the Natur- & Alpinhotel Post, and Obergurgl, the highest church village in Tyrol – both perfect starting points for exploration. Other villages in the heart of the nature park, like Niederthai/Umhausen and Gries/Längenfeld, also invite visitors to discover the region’s wonders.

The Ötztal Alps are a hotspot for Alpine biodiversity. Of the 367 endangered animal and plant species in North Tyrol, no less than 77 can be found in the southern Ötztal Alps alone! Among these, the cheeky marmots, whose largest original population in the Eastern Alps resides here, are a particular highlight. The Ötztal Alps also serve as an important breeding area for species like the rock ptarmigan and the snow finch.

The Ötztal Alps don’t just captivate with their beauty but also with their immense ecological significance. We are eager to share this extraordinary natural world with you, and at the same time, we recognise our responsibility to preserve it. We hope to inspire in you a deep appreciation for this environment – because we believe that only that which we love are we truly motivated to protect.