Iceman Ötzi Peak + "Schöne Aussicht" (South Tyrol)

Close to heaven. No wonder, at 3251 meters! The new "Iceman Ötzi Peak" viewing platform, built in 2020, makes it possible. High above Schnals (South Tyrol), you have the best view of the surrounding glaciers. The "Schöne Aussicht" (Beautiful View) mountain hut, about 1.5 hours away, is also definitely worth a detour.

• Start: Kurzras
• Destination: "Schöne Aussicht" mountain hut
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Trail markers: Trail No. 3 "Schöne Aussicht"
• Trail length: 7.5 km
• Walking time: 1.5 hours (ascent); 2 hours (descent)
• Altitude difference: 1240 vertical meters
• Highest point: 3251 m
• Refreshment stops: Hotel "Grawand", "Schöne Aussicht" mountain hut
• Experienced: Mid-September 2020

Journey to the starting point

By car:

The journey can be made by car from Merano (approx. 45 minutes) or from the Reschen Pass (approx. 1.5 hours). Shortly before Naturns, turn into the Schnalstal valley. Follow the road, past the Vernagt reservoir, to the end of the valley "Kurzras", where there is a paid parking lot.

By train/bus:

From Merano, take the Vinschgerbahn or bus number 251 towards Mals. Get off in Naturns and take bus number 261 to "Kurzras" (approx. 1.5 hours total).

From Reschen, take bus no. 273 to Mals. Then take the train towards Merano to Naturns. Take bus number 261 to "Kurzras" (approx. 2.5 hours total).

Start of the tour

We take the glacier cable car to Grawand. A "one-way" ticket costs €18. A "return" ticket costs €25. In just 6 minutes, you overcome 1200 vertical meters here!

We reach Europe's highest hotel, called "Grawand", which invites you for a warm drink. Even now, you have a breathtaking view of the glacier panorama.

Iceman Ötzi Peak

We continue to the "Iceman Ötzi Peak" viewing platform, which was newly built in 2020. The platform is located at an astonishing altitude of 3251m. Iron steps lead us up.

In just 5 minutes you arrive there and are literally very close to heaven! A summit cross and a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains of South Tyrol and Austria await us, almost as Ötzi saw it 5,300 years ago ;-).

"Schöne Aussicht" mountain hut

For us, it's now time to march on! Because we still want to go to the "Schöne Aussicht" mountain hut. The hut is about 1.5 hours from Grawand. The path there is slightly stony and mostly downhill. We pass the ski slopes, which are already being used by skiers training in September. Soon the ski season will start again properly here!

Although it is a sunny day, fog banks are slowly rising. The last few meters now become a bit steeper. When we reach the "Schöne Aussicht" (Beautiful View) mountain hut (2845m), we unfortunately cannot enjoy too beautiful a view ;-).

Nevertheless, we are now looking forward to a delicious meal, because we are ravenous! The hut offers traditional delicacies with the best ingredients and local recipes. Whether it's Schnalser lamb roast, South Tyrolean dumplings, or Italian tiramisu, everyone will find something here. And I'm also happy, because Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancake) is also available here. And it tastes so good! ;-)

Interesting facts about the mountain hut: The hut even offers beautiful, rustic rooms with meals. If you like adventure, you can even stay overnight in an igloo in winter. Romantic, isn't it? Upon arrival, there's a hot drink, in the evening a 4-course meal, a bottle of Prosecco before bed, and a rich breakfast buffet in the morning. You can even use the sauna and whirlpool. I can tell you one thing... I definitely want to try that next winter!! :-)

Return journey

The return journey is now on foot. We follow the hiking sign to Kurzras. For about two hours, we go down the stony path. Here you can even observe marmots. The landscape at this altitude is somewhat barren.

After an hour, we reach a forest and then arrive back in Kurzras, where we parked our car.

Conclusion

What a great hike! The view of the glacier is breathtaking. I love the feeling of freedom in the mountains. And exactly this feeling can be experienced here at 3251 meters. It's best to choose a sunny day, because the view here is simply too beautiful.

The "Schöne Aussicht" mountain hut is worth a visit both in summer and for skiing in winter, providing delicious traditional food and accommodation options.

I recommend good footwear and warm clothing for the tour, as it can get quite chilly at this altitude. Experienced alpinists can climb the surrounding peaks, such as Weißkugel (3,739m) or Fineilspitze (3,514m). Please inform yourself thoroughly beforehand and bring glacier equipment if necessary.

The hiking tour is not suitable for strollers, as it goes steeply downhill over stony paths. I recommend using a baby carrier backpack here.

Have fun hiking.

Best regards,

Anna