TRAIL TO THE SITE OF DISCOVERY OF ÖTZI AT TISENJOCH SADDLE

Ötzi ranks among the most famous Tiroleans since the time of national hero Andreas Hofer. The 5000 year old and perfectly preserved Iceman was found at high Alpine Tisenjoch (3210m above sea level) in 1991. Today the famous mummy is exhibited in an air-conditioned place at the South Tyrolean Archaeological Museum of Bolzano.

Hiking tour to the site of discovery of Ötzi the Iceman at Tisenjoch Saddle (3210 m):

Route description:
The small trail starts in Vent (1896 m). Take the shortcut via the hill's ridge leading right to the entrance to Niedertal valley. Follow the small road up the valle yto Hohler Stein area (2050 m) until you reach the water-filled Kaser basin (2150m). This place is rich in history: legend has it that the origins of Vent are right here! Today thee is a little chapel famous among pilgrims. Continue on the steeply rising path to Martin Busch Mountain Hut (2501m). Where the glacier waters of Niederjochferner flow off you hike along the werstern edge of Niederjochferner glacier towards Similaunhütte Refuge (3019 m). The signposted footpath leads across gravel terrain to the monument at Tisenjoch saddle.

Hiking time:
4 - 5 hours to Similaunhütte Refuge;
another 45 minutes to Tisenjoch Saddle;
4 hours back to Vent

TRAIL TO THE HOHLER STEIN

Hohler Stein area in close vicinity to Vent (2,050m) is an ancient hunters' and shepherds'' base dating back to the Stone Ages (8000-4000 BC). Archaeological findings prove that Vent was a hunting are even in 8000 BC.

After the finding of the iceman Dr. Leitner of the University of Innsbruck made further investigations. He proved the existence of more Stone Age hunters' bases in the Ötztal valley, e.g. at the Hohler Stein mountain in Niedertal/Vent which is at an altitude of 2,050m and only 10km (beeline) from the place where the iceman was found.

(From a publication of the Institute for Alpine Prehistoric Times at the University of Innsbruck).