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Obergurgl Stone Pine Forest - Theme Trail
Ötztal Verified partner Explorers Choice
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Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
Lift-assisted hiking or ascending on foot
A possible - and especially beautiful - access to the theme trail can be found at rustic Zirben Alm at the foot of the path. Alternatively, there is another access point halfway up the stone pine forest, just a few steps from the middle station of Hohe Mut (2065 m) mountain gondola. If you don't want to use the mountain lift (free for Ötztal Inside Summer Card holders) you can hike along a forest road from Obergurgl. The adventure theme trail with 15 stations also features attractive rest stops and recreational places. In case you have chosen the route from the middle station, the child-friendly trail travels mostly downhill and ends near Zirben Alm (1960 m) which offers excellent cuisine and superb panoramic views. If you go on foot this easy hiking tour will take about 3 hours. Alternatively, you can hike from the stone pine forest past the Rotmoos waterfall to Schönwies Hütte and stop for a bite to eat.
Special tip: The separate "Views and Perspectives - Zirbenweg Obergurgl" brochure is available for free at the Ötztal Tourismus information office.
Author’s recommendation
Stone pine trees are often the only plants to defy wind and weather in the high mountains. A 20-hectare Alpine stone pine forest, as it extends from Obergurgl between 1950 m and 2100 m altitude on the northern slopes of Schönwieskopf, is therefore something very special. Since 1963 it has been a protected area and natural monument defined by UNESCO within the "Gurgler Kamm" Biosphere Park.Walkers on the theme trail can learn many interesting facts about stone pines, forest animals (e.g. jaybirds), fauna and anecdotes about locals. By using interactive devices - such as a telescope - you can explore the surrounding area and look for "bears, cats and monkeys", that's the hunter's language for male, female and young marmots.
Track types
Rest stops
Zirben AlmSafety information
Easy hike; suitable for beginners and walkers. Please pay attention to the current weather report: https://www.oetztal.com/de/sommer.html.Tips and hints
More details about hiking In Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/wandernStart
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Follow the main village road from Obergurgl, below the University Center and towards the last houses. Then turn right into the Alpine meadows and continue to David's Hütte. The leisurely walking trails takes you further on to a ledge (wayside cross and bench) located opposite Nasenwand wall. Heading to the left, you follow a picture-book, slightly rising trail through the 400 year old Stone Pine Forest until you reach a small slope. Return on the almost level trail to Gaisbergbrücke bridge and along the cart trail to Obergurgl.
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
By road
Obergurgl 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
In Obergurgl-Hochgurgl the following parking facilities are available:- Car park Village center Obergurgl (in front of the church on the right, behind the multi-purpose building where the information office is located)
- Parking lot with coin entrance Parking Place entrance - valley station Festkoglbahn, free of charge
- Parking Hochgurglbahn valley station, free of charge - no parking at night
- Parking Top Mountain Crosspoint, free of charge
- Parking Hochgurgl, free of charge (very small parking)
Coordinates
Equipment
Appropriate equipment such as breathable suitable outdoor clothes for the weather, ankle-high walking boots, wind-, rain- & sun protection, hat, possibly gloves, 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.Statistics
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- 13 Waypoints
- 13 Waypoints