BETWEEN ROCKS AND THE SKY

The early settlers in the Ötztal valley built their hamlets and farmhouses halfway between earth and sky. Three small medieval mountain villages still have maintained their original character, fulfilling the yearning for an intact world. Times seems to pass less quickly here. The inhabitants still live in close touch with nature.

NIEDERTHAI, 1550 m

Dreamlike views, bright sunshine and endless peace make an ideal base for highly stressed people who can indulge in the picture-book high Alpine plateau of Niederthai and its scenic mountains. The world is not enough, time flies – but not in Niederthai which keeps on dreaming: rushing mountain brooks, green meadows and rustic farmhouses, a baroque style parish church and an old smithy are part of this scenic place.

The trail to peace and silence takes you from Umhausen to a sunny mountain plateau at 1550 meters above sea level. It was formed by a giant rockslide at the opposite side of the valley – stretching into scenic Horlachtal valley - already some 9800 years ago. Bavarian settlers discovered this high altitude plateau around 1000 AD, building the first farmhouses. Today the village still has 340 inhabitants who cultivate the natural beauty of their splendid surroundings. New attractions – like 4 ski lifts and a couple of guesthouses and hotels – were created in perfect tune with nature.

Easy walking routes for novice hikers lead across Horlachtal. Peak conquerors should head for more challenging destinations starting at Schweinfurter Hütte. Between Niederthai and Umhausen the rushing waters of Horlachbach empty into the Stuiben Waterfall with a falling height of 150 meters. Marvelous viewing platforms have been installed next to the water spray. With a bit of luck you see rainbows on sunny days.

Every Wednesday night the Stuiben Waterfall is floodlit. Walkers from Niederthai and Umhausen can explore the picture-book area with lanterns, enjoying the magic water spectacle close-by.

GRIES, 1569 m

When the sounds of the forests and waters unite, you experience a natural symphony made of blue skies, lush green meadows and snow-topped mountain peaks. It seems a wonderful painting of authentic Alpine culture. Ringing cow bells. Rushing mountain waters of Fischbach and Winnebach brook. Rustling larch tree leaves, gorgeous pastures, dreamlike little mountain villages.

Gries is located in the central Ötztal at 1569 meters. Its 180 inhabitants especially love the heavenly peace. The pilgrimage church of Maria Hilf has been a renowned sight since the 17th century. Fresco paintings on the ceiling show the Virgin Mary when she appeared in Gries.

Great mountainscape in the east, wonderful peaks in the west, and right in the middle you find the picturesque church surrounded by a small shop, some inns, countless farmhouses and other buildings. Guest rooms are available as well: Gries is known as the fairytale mountain village belonging to Längenfeld! In winter the region boasts perfectly groomed cross-country skiing tracks, in summer it makes a great spot for all those in search of rest and relaxation. The nearest mountain hut is Sulztalalm where hungry walkers enjoy mouth-watering blueberry omelets, homemade sausages and loads of other Tirolean specialties.

Within another 30 walking minutes you also reach the serviced Nisslalm. Hut hikers are recommended to start their tour on Winnebachseehütte at 2362 m, continuing to Gubener Hütte or proceeding via Winnebachjoch to Westfalenhaus in Sellraintal valley. Eye-catching Schrankogel peak at 3496 meters above sea level, can be conquered on a steep path starting from Amberger Hütte.

VENT, 1900 m

The queen of all Ötztal mountains is, of course, Wildspitze peak towering high above the mountaineering village of Vent at 1900 meters above sea level. Lush green pasturelands and glittering glacier fields promise unforgettable moments on endless high Alpine trails just perfect for passionate walkers and hikers.

A scenic little church, a wonderful graveyard, two shops, a few farmhouses and hotels can be found in Vent. The deeply rooted history of this lovely place cannot be denied: hunters and shepherds had their early settlements here in the "Hohle Stein" area. Today an open-air excavation site provides more detailed information on this Stone Age hunting base. Recordings and documents prove that the first permanent settlers were shepherds in the 13th century. Today Vent ranks among the most famous mountaineering villages. What's more, glacier priest Franz Senn founded Alpine tourism here in Vent already in the 19th century.

Modern sculptures can be admired in the surroundings of the hunting base: they are the remains of internationally renowned artists taking part in the yearly held "ArteVent" Symposium in August. A truly breathtaking open-air gallery awaits you! Vent's Rofenhöfe farmhouses, the highest permanently settled buildings in the Eastern Alps and film location of "Geierwally", are situated at the edge of the wild Rofen gorge, easily accessible on a wonderful suspension bridge. Only 150 locals live here. During the summer months many holiday makers stop here at the rear end of the valley, as well as some 2000 four-legged guests – sheep from South Tyrol's Schnalstal valley. The traditional sheep drive across the mountain ridges of Similaun is deeply rooted in history. Ötzi the Iceman was found here, too.