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Road bike tours in Ötztal

Thematic Trail recommended route

Water Walk Lake Piburger See Oetz

Thematic Trail · Oetz
Logo Ötztal
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Ötztal Verified partner 
  • Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
Hint

Explanation

Selected alternatives for you
    Oetz - Wellerbrücke (Achstürze) - Piburger See - Seejöchl - Piburg - Oetz
    easy
    Distance 9.2 km
    3:00 h
    538 m
    538 m
    1,048 m
    770 m

    On this premium trail you explore the wild water of Ötztaler Ache in contrast to the silent water of lake Piburger See.

    From Oetz you walk southwards along the thunderous waters of the Ötztaler Ache on a gravel road. Scenic Weller Bridge can be found in a wooded area. It leads over one of the most demanding stretches of white water sports, where the extreme kayaking world championship were held for years.

    On the other side you follow the signposted hiking trail and later a forestroute towards lake Piburger See. Suddenly you reach a forest clearing and you enjoy a perfect view of the picture-book and myth-enshrouded lake in its center. Keep left and walk up to Seejöchl.

    The steep ascent is rewarded with a breathtaking view of the fabulous Alpine landscape. Then the loop trail continues towards Piburg, further down again and around the scenic lake.

    Following the descent, you can savour the peace and quiet on one of the benches situated around the lake or take a refreshment break in one of the restaurants before continuing the descent to Oetz. At the lakeside swimming center, keep to the left and follow the signposted trail down to Oetz.

    Profile picture of Roland Grüner
    Author
    Roland Grüner 
    Update: August 13, 2024
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    1,048 m
    Lowest point
    770 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Safety information

    Trittsicherheit

    Keine besonderen Schwierigkeiten

    Tips and suggestions

    Piburger See

    • The Piburger See ranks not only among the most protected lakes in Tirol (natural monument, landscape protection area, lake protection area), it is also one of the most researched.
    • Almost 40% of the water flow into the lake takes place underground.
    • The outflow was directed into an underground channel in the 19th century which lowered the lake level by approx. 1.5 m.
    • This is the warmest lake in Tirol reaching up to 24°C.

    WATER IN THE ÖTZTAL VALLEY

    Water, the element which has shaped the Ötztal valley.

    The glaciers are melted by the sunshine, releasing fresh water which feeds into the meadows and the Ötztaler Ache river which winds its way along the 65 km long valley. The Ötztaler Ache catchment area extends over 893 km² with an elevation from 700 to 3,774 m. This glacial meltwater fills the reservoir used by the local population and provides a supply of drinking water.

     

    Glaciers store ¾ of the world’s freshwater reserves and therefore represent the biggest natural waterstorage in the world.

     

    In the year 1770, the advancing ice dammed many of the big lakes here which triggered catastrophic flooding across the entire Ötztal and Inntal regions when they burst their banks. Natural hazards and disaster made people want to know more about and better understand nature, which also facilitated glacier research. The many facets of water in the Ötztal is not just of interest for scientists. The Ötztal glaciers are recreational destinations for locals and guests alike as these ice worlds offer great hiking and skiing in surroundings of outstanding natural beauty. Crystal clear river waters swollen by icy glacier meltwater make for superb rafting, white water canoeing and other action-packed activities.

     

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

    Start

    Oetz
    Coordinates:
    DD
    47.203948, 10.893906
    DMS
    47°12'14.2"N 10°53'38.1"E
    UTM
    32T 643434 5229568
    w3w 
    ///sundress.bookings.mortar

    Destination

    Oetz

    Turn-by-turn directions

    On this premium trail you explore the wild water of Ötztaler Ache in contrast to the silent water of lake Piburger See.

    From Oetz you walk southwards along the thunderous waters of the Ötztaler Ache on a gravel road. Scenic Weller Bridge can be found in a wooded area. It leads over one of the most demanding stretches of white water sports, where the extreme kayaking world championship were held for years.

    On the other side you follow the signposted hiking trail and later a forestroute towards lake Piburger See. Suddenly you reach a forest clearing and you enjoy a perfect view of the picture-book and myth-enshrouded lake in its center. Keep left and walk up to Seejöchl.

    The steep ascent is rewarded with a breathtaking view of the fabulous Alpine landscape. Then the loop trail continues towards Piburg, further down again and around the scenic lake.

    Following the descent, you can savour the peace and quiet on one of the benches situated around the lake or take a refreshment break in one of the restaurants before continuing the descent to Oetz. At the lakeside swimming center, keep to the left and follow the signposted trail down to Oetz.

    Public transport

    Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

     

    Directions

    Oetz is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

     

    Parking

    The following parking facilities are available in Oetz / Piburg:
    • Parking Acherkogelbahn - free for guests of the gondola lift, camping prohibited
    • Parking lot Raftingeinsteinstelle (at the end of Oetz on the right side) - free, but limited parking (alternatively Acherkogelbahn 150 m), camping prohibited
    • Oetz parking area (subject to a charge)
    • Parking at night during several days' tours: Central parking place Oetz, The ticket is available at the information office Oetz.
    • Parking Piburg at the Hotel Seerose, subject to charges.

    Coordinates

    DD
    47.203948, 10.893906
    DMS
    47°12'14.2"N 10°53'38.1"E
    UTM
    32T 643434 5229568
    w3w 
    ///sundress.bookings.mortar
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    It is recommended to wear hiking equipment such as breathable and weather-adapted outdoor clothing, ankle-high mountain boots, wind, rain and sun protection, cap and possibly gloves. It is also important to have enough food, as well as a first-aid package, a cell phone and a hiking map.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Treasure Hunt Oetz Round Ebele - Wellerbridge
    • Drei-Kirchen-Blick
    • Treasure round Hochoetz
    • Miners Trail Hochoetz with Wetterkreuz peak
    • Trail of senses Hochoetz
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    easy
    Overall difficulty
    easy

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    9.2 km
    Duration
    3:00 h
    Ascent
    538 m
    Descent
    538 m
    Highest point
    1,048 m
    Lowest point
    770 m
    Round trip Scenic Refreshment stops available Family-friendly Geological highlights Flora Insider tip

    Statistics

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    Maps and trails
    • 2 Waypoints
    • 2 Waypoints
    • Route
    • Gradient
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     km Distance
    : h Duration
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     m Descent
     m Highest point
     m Lowest point
    • 16°C

    • Live