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Long Distance Hiking recommended route Stage 6

Ötztal Trek Stage 6

Long Distance Hiking · Ötztal
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  • Hildesheimer Hütte
    Hildesheimer Hütte
    Photo: Roland Grüner, Ötztal
Hint

Explanation

Selected alternatives for you
    Hochstubaihütte (3.174 m) –> Scharte / Windachferner –> Hildesheimer Hütte (2.899 m)
    difficult
    Distance 7.6 km
    3:30 h
    640 m
    909 m
    3,170 m
    2,498 m
    • Route: Climbing, groomed path along the glacier
    • Requirements: Safety, dizzying;
    • Black mountain trail
    • Difficulties: steep descent on the ladder to heaven
    • Equipment: standard hiking equipment, glacier equipment for passages about Windachferner and Gaiskarferner not required
    • Huts: Hochstubaihütte, restaurant Jochdohle (no overnight stay), Hildesheimer Hütte
    • Acess / exit point: from Sölden via Fiegl`s Gasthaus in Windachtal and Seekarsee to Hochstubaihütte (about 5.5 hours ascent, about 4.5 hours Descent);
      from Sölden through the Windachtal and via Aschenbrenner- or Gaiskarweg (steep) to Hildesheimer Hütte (about 5 h ascent, approx. 4 h descent);
      alternatively bus from Sölden to Fiegl's Gasthaus in Windachtal - continue for approximately 3.5 h rise to Hochstubaihütte (about 2.5 h descent) and 3 h rise to Hildesheimer Hütte (about 2 h down);

    Author’s recommendation

    TIP OF THE DAY

    Hildesheimer Hütte – Zuckerhütl (3.507 meter) – Hildesheimer Hütte

    Ascent via Pfaffenferner glacier up to Pfaffenjoch at 3.212 m. Right admist the glacier world you cross Sulztalferner, proceeding towards Pfaffensattel and further on to the peak of Zuckerhütl at 3.507 m. Adjacent Wilde Pfaff (3.456 m) summit can be climbed easily from the saddleback!

    Level, walking time: difficult hike via glacier (mountain guide recommended), about. 5 h
    Altitude meters: 600 hm descent and ascent

    Profile picture of Roland Grüner
    Author
    Roland Grüner 
    Update: April 26, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    Hochstubaihütte, 3,170 m
    Lowest point
    2,498 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Jochdohle TOP OF TYROL
    Hildesheimer Hütte
    Hochstubaihütte

    Safety information

    For high alpine experienced mountaineers that are free from vertigo & surefooted. Excellent physical condition, extensive mountain experience, alpine climbing gear, safety- and orientation guide, good weather conditions recommended. Please pay attention to the current weather report

    Tips and suggestions

    Did you know that...

    ...the stepped section between Hochstubai Hut and Seekarsee is called "Himmelsleiter" (Heaven's ladder) because during the ascent, one feels like climbing up to the sky? 

     

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

    Start

    Hochstubaihütte
    Coordinates:
    DD
    46.981650, 11.064831
    DMS
    46°58'53.9"N 11°03'53.4"E
    UTM
    32T 657031 5205194
    w3w 
    ///pickings.medleys.kindest

    Destination

    Hildesheimer Hütte

    Turn-by-turn directions

    CONQUERING THE ETERNAL ICE SAFELY

     

    From the hut you first hike in the opposite direction along the access route via lake Seekarsee. Here you take the so-called Himmelsleiter “sky ladder” (ropes and stone stairs make the passage easier). Special tip: Himmelsleiter really gives you the feeling of climbing into heaven. After this challenging section you continue on a level trail towards the small shelter (the key can be found right next to the door), and further on to lake Seekarsee along the precipitous path. Below the lake, branch off to the left and take the path to the east. Leaving behind the marshy foothills of Warenkar, the path meanders in serpentines up to Windachferner glacier. Descend to the glacier field, following the route up to Jochdohle restaurant. At Gaiskarferner glacier you keep to the southeast, downhill to a rocky ridge until you continue downwards to Hildesheimer Hütte.

    Public transport

    Travel safe and comfortable with the train to the Ötztal Bahnhof train station. Last stop and exit point is the train station Ötztal Bahnhof. Afterwards you can travel smoothly and quick with the public transport or our local taxi companies through the valley to your desired destination. Please find the current bus timetable here: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

    Directions

    The car drive to the Ötztal valley. Situated in Tirol, the Ötztal valley set off in southerly direction and is the longest side valley in the Eastern Alps. The journey with the car leads you through the Inntal valley to the entrance of the valley and further on through the valley. Among the toll motorways you can also use the country roads. A route planner will show you the easiest and most convenient way: https://www.google.at/maps

    Parking

    The following parking facilities are available in Sölden:

     

    - Parking lot

    - parking lot Stiegele

    - stair parking

    - Giggijochbahn + underground garage

    - Gaislachkoglbahn + underground garage

    - Parking Hochsölden

    - parking garage Hochsölden 1. parking lot

    - parking Zwieselstein

    - parking Zwieselstein / sports ground

     All parking is chargeable

     

    Parking for several days (eg hike tour):

    - car par Gaislachkoglbahn | Parkticket either online or directly at the cash desk of the Gaislachkoglbahn

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.981650, 11.064831
    DMS
    46°58'53.9"N 11°03'53.4"E
    UTM
    32T 657031 5205194
    w3w 
    ///pickings.medleys.kindest
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Author’s map recommendations

    Kompass Hiking Map (available at the Ötztal Tourism information offices)

    Equipment

    Appropriate equipment such as breathable suitable outdoor clothes for the weather, is for all hikes and tours necessary. Please bring a first-aid box, a mobile phone, a walking map and if there is no hut on the way a snack and enough to drink.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Ötztal Trek Route 2
    • Ötztaler Urweg E5 Sölden - Obergurgl
    • Ötztaler Urweg E9 Granstein - Längenfeld
    • Ötztaler Urweg Umleitung E5 Sölden - Hochgurgl Crosspoint (Weiterfahrt Bus nach Obergurgl)
    • Ötztal Trek Stage 7
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    7.6 km
    Duration
    3:30 h
    Ascent
    640 m
    Descent
    909 m
    Highest point
    3,170 m
    Lowest point
    2,498 m
    Scenic Linear route Refreshment stops available

    Statistics

    • Content
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    Features
    Maps and trails
    • 5 Waypoints
    • 5 Waypoints
    • Route
    • Gradient
    Push the arrows to change the view
     km Distance
    : h Duration
     m Ascent
     m Descent
     m Highest point
     m Lowest point
    • 5°C

    • 6/9

    • 8/30

    • 32.8/35.9 km

    • Live