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Obergurgl Stone Pine Adventure Theme Trail

Right through a nature treasure area

The entire stone pine forest south of Obergurgl is a true natural rarity. Trees up to 300 years old line the theme hiking trail that features information boards and interactive stations revolving around the "Queen of the Tree Line". Several access options from Obergurgl and cozy rest stops make the excursion to the scenic stone pine forest a highlight for all ages.

Thematic Trail recommended route

Obergurgl Stone Pine Forest - Theme Trail

Thematic Trail · Gurgl Open
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  • Photo: Katharina Nösig, Ötztal
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Selected alternatives for you
    OBERGURGL -> Zirben hut -> AROLLA PINE FOREST 
    Open
    moderate
    Distance 5.2 km
    2:00 h
    340 m
    340 m
    2,270 m
    1,935 m
    A wonderful hike through picture-book landscapes on the new theme trail of Obergurgl's Stone Pine Forest. A true highlight for young and old! Fresh mountain air and lovely rest areas add to a unique experience. The trail crisscrosses the 300-year old stone pineforest that features information panels providing information on pine trees, local animals, etc. Alternatively, you can continue the hike towards Schönwieshütte past the rushing Rotmoos waterfall. Uninterrupted views of Rotmoostal await you. The "Rotmoostal" water strider trail travels past this superb Alpine area. Descend either through the stone pine forest or on the cart trail. #Zirbenwald

     

    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

    Phenomenally beautiful: Obergurgl's Stone Pine Forest

     

    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.

    Profile picture of Roland Grüner
    Author
    Roland Grüner 
    Update: February 03, 2024
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,270 m
    Lowest point
    1,935 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 13.52%Forested/wild trail 1.67%Path 15.32%Unknown 69.46%
    Asphalt
    0.7 km
    Forested/wild trail
    0.1 km
    Path
    0.8 km
    Unknown
    3.6 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Zirben Alm

    Safety 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 suggestions

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

    Start

    Obergurgl
    Coordinates:
    DD
    46.866707, 11.024262
    DMS
    46°52'00.1"N 11°01'27.3"E
    UTM
    32T 654276 5192341
    w3w 
    ///reality.pound.prospective

    Destination

    Obergurgl Arolla Pine Forest

    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.

     

     
    What do you want to do ?

    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

    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

    DD
    46.866707, 11.024262
    DMS
    46°52'00.1"N 11°01'27.3"E
    UTM
    32T 654276 5192341
    w3w 
    ///reality.pound.prospective
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    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.    

    Similar routes nearby

    • Water Walk Rotmoostal Obergurgl
    • Treasure Hunt Obergurgl Stone Pine Forest
    • Treasure Hunt Zwieselstein Village Loop
    • Treasure hunt Vent Ramolalm
    • Treasure Hunt Vent - Feldkögele
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Status
    Open
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    5.2 km
    Duration
    2:00 h
    Ascent
    340 m
    Descent
    340 m
    Highest point
    2,270 m
    Lowest point
    1,935 m
    Round trip Family-friendly Refreshment stops available Flora Fauna

    Statistics

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    • 13 Waypoints
    • 13 Waypoints
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