Arrival by public transport
By train to Steinach am Brenner, from there take bus line 4145 to Schmirn-Lorleswald.
Information on the timetable at www.vvt.at
The Ottenspitze is the first higher elevation on the border ridge between the Vals and Schmirn valleys, and the view is correspondingly beautiful.
Varied mountain hike between shady forest ascent and open alpine pasture terrain. Via the secluded Lorenzalm (not managed) on to the first higher summit on the border ridge between the Vals and Schmirn valleys. As the forest thins out, the summit cross becomes visible early on. At the summit, a wide panoramic view over the Wipptal valley as far as Innsbruck awaits, and with a bit of luck, edelweiss and chamois can be spotted in the summit rocks. The trail mix ranges from forest path and forest trail to serpentines in the summit area; just before the cross, there is a small exposed section on the ridge, which can be bypassed via the path from the north if necessary. The Lorenzalm is not staffed, but the Schmirner Stadl at the starting point offers refreshments. A very good spot for sunsets.
From the Lorleswald car park, the trail leads past the Modlerhof farm across meadows up to the beginning of the forest. There, a beautiful path begins that leads through spruce and larch groves up to the Lorenzalm. When you reach the alpine pasture, the forest thins out and the Ottenspitze cross becomes visible in the distance. You reach it a little later after a few last serpentines on the north side. A magnificent panoramic view over the Wipptal valley all the way to Innsbruck rewards the effort of the ascent. You can also marvel at the odd edelweiss and possibly the odd chamois in the rocks around the summit. After you have sufficiently enjoyed the atmosphere of the mountain, the descent path first leads to a small alpine hut directly below the summit, which is a little more exposed. From there, the trail continues in a wide curve through the alpine landscape into the valley and from there along another forest path back to the starting point.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION
From the car park, first walk up the road to the Modlerhof farm on the right-hand side above. Immediately from the farm, a fenced-in "cattle alley" leads uphill to the mountain meadows and the beginning of the forest. This is followed by a beautiful path that leads up along the touring track (for ski tourers) to an intersecting forest road. Turn right and follow the forest road for a good 300 m until you reach a trail crossing from St. Jodok. Here you have to change to the trail with the number 66, which now leads up through the forest from the northwest to the very summit. On the descent, follow the ridge in an easterly direction (into the valley), which is a little more exposed, before descending steeply in serpentines to a rustic alpine hut. Past this hut, the trail leads in a curve further into the valley and slightly downhill to the end of a forest road and another hut. Here you have to turn around and follow the trail with the No. 67 along the forest down to the Muchner settlement. In the middle of the Muchner settlement you return to the car park and starting point of the tour.
TIP OF THE AUTHOR
Due to the location of the summit, this tour is particularly suitable as a sunset tour. So if you want to experience the indescribable atmosphere of twilight in the mountains for yourself, this is a unique experience.
HOW TO WALK
If you are coming to the summit from the south, there is a small exposed section just before the cross on the ridge. However, this can also be avoided by briefly descending at the small hut below the summit and choosing the path coming from the north to the summit.
By train to Steinach am Brenner, from there take bus line 4145 to Schmirn-Lorleswald.
Information on the timetable at www.vvt.at
