Oetz

The name of the Oetztal valley is attributable to the village of Oetz, the centre of the anterior valley.

Altitude: 820 m asl

Oetz, the centre of the anterior Oetztal valley, extends at the foot of the 3,008 m high Acherkogel, the most northern mountain of 3,000 m in the Alps. The Oetztaler Ache river runs through the valley, which is perfect for water sports and also venue for championships in kayaking.

Probably the most popular destination in summertime is Lake Piburg, which is accessible from the village by a hiking trail. This natural jewel is one of the warmest lakes for bathing in Tyrol and is not only perfect for swimming, but also for a great boat tour. However, those who are interested in culture are feeling at ease at Oetz, admiring the beautifully decorated buildings in the centre, dating back to the 16th century, such as the Stecher and Tscholl buildings. Also the Tower Museum of Oetz (Turmmuseum) is worth to be visited: various documents illustrate the history of this area and in 2005 this museum was awarded with the Museum Prize of Tyrol. And if you would like to enjoy the great panorama, just walk to the late Gothic parish church converted to Baroque style, which is located above the village.

In winter the Hochoetz skiing area can be reached within a few minutes only with the Acherkogel funicular. It offers 41 km of well-groomed slopes, a panorama restaurant as well as several cosy refuges, ideal for a pleasant stop to relax, above all in spring when the temperatures are more than pleasant and the slopes are still perfectly skiable. One ski-pass makes you by the way access two skiing areas, as the Oetz-Hochoetz and the Kühtai skiing areas have recently joined to the ski region Hochoetz-Kühtai…

Our recommendation: within 8 minutes only, the Acherkogel funicular takes you right into the heart of the Hochoetz hiking area!