Vernagt am See in the Schnalstal

From the Braunschweiger Hut, you hike up to the Pitztal Jöchl (2,990m) and across snow and ice to the Rettenbachferner in the Ötztal. The view of the surrounding glacier world and the 3,000-meter peaks is unique. From the Rettenbachferner, you continue by bus to the Tiefenbach Glacier. Along the high-altitude panorama trail, you descend from about 2,800m down to the mountaineering village of Vent at about 1,900m. The trail leads from the glacier across the slopes of Mutboden, Weißkar, and Sonnenberg to lush alpine meadows. Upon reaching Vent, several guesthouses invite you to stop for refreshments before heading back uphill to the Martin Busch Hut (2,501m). From Vent to the Ochsenkopf, then halfway up, turn left into the Niedertal. Along a wide path passing the Mountain Guide Chapel and the Shepherd's Hut on a moderately ascending trail to the Martin Busch Hut and further to the Similaun Hut. Here, there is the opportunity for a detour to the site of Ötzi, the Iceman, at 3,200m (secured by ropes, 1.5 hours). At the highest point of this tour, the Niederjoch, you cross the main Alpine ridge and hike from the high alpine region into the valley to Vernagt am See in the Schnalstal.