The Oetztal Alps with its stunning Oetztal Nature Park are one of the largest mountain chains in the Eastern Alps
Image gallery: Oetztal Alps
The Oetztal Alps are characterised by their considerable spread: They expand on North Tyrolean and on South Tyrolean territory, that's to say between Austria and Italy, and can be subdevided into different subgroups. Some of them are the Kaunergrat with its eponymous nature park in North Tyrol, the Nauders Mountains and the Texelgruppe (Tessa Group) in South Tyrol.
There are several other protected areas, such as the Fliesser Sonnenhänge, the protected area within the Oetztal Alps and the Oetztal Nature Park. In the north, the Ötztaler Alpen - how they are called in German - are bounded by the Lechtal Alps, in the north-west by the Mieming Range, in the east by the Stubai Alps, in the south-east by the Sarentino Alps, in the south by the Ortles Alps and in the west by the Sesvenna Alps. The mountain chain mainly consists of crystalline slate.
Peaks: The highest elevation of the Oetztal Alps and of all of North Tyrol is the 3,768 m high Wildspitze. Further mountain giants are Mt. Weisskugel (3,738 m a.s.l.), Mt. Hinterer Brochkogel (3,635 m a.s.l.), Mt. Similaun (3,599 m a.s.l.) - famous place of discovery of Oetzi - and Mt. Oetztaler Urkund (3,556 m a.s.l.). The glaciers include the Gepatsch, the Gurgler and the Hintereis Glaciers.
Trails: The cross-border path Via Alpina traverses the Oetztal Alps in 9 stages. Furthermore, the different protected areas offer stunning tours, from easy hikes to challenging high mountain tours. The ascent of Mt. Wildspitze, which challenges the fitness, can be done in 9 to 11 hours.
