Oetz

Oetz is a small village located on the valley floor between the sites of two ancient rockslides. It lies at the start of the Ötztal Valley, in the shadow of the mighty Acherkogel mountain.

In Tirol, those from the western end of the Inntal Valley and the nearby side valleys are said to be stubborn. This characteristic can result in narrow-mindedness – but it can also be the foundation for determination and perseverance. One thing is for sure: the village of Oetz at the entrance to the Ötztal Valley has many tales to tell of stubborn and determined sons and daughters.

At the turn of the 18th century, long before anyone came to Oetz searching to escape the summer heat in the valley, explore the surrounding mountains or cruise down the slopes, Matthias Bernhard Braun set out from the Ötztal Valley to explore the world. The young sculptor’s travels took him to Italy, where he drew inspiration from the great renaissance and baroque masters, before settling in Prague. Local collector and art historian Hans Jäger (1937-2012) was the first to document and publish many of Braun’s works in Bohemia, including statues on the Charles Bridge in the heart of the Czech capital. Jäger also spent decades collecting documents and artefacts from the farming community in the valley as well as landscape paintings and photographs. He placed these objects on display in a renovated barn next to his own house before in 2004 the Hans Jäger Collection was moved to the Turmmuseum Oetz.

In Tirol, those from the western end of the Inntal Valley and the nearby side valleys are said to be stubborn. This characteristic can result in…

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Holiday activities in Oetz






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The award-winning Turmmuseum Oetz is as tall as many a church spire and a somewhat surprising sight in a small mountain village. It is the oldest secular building in Oetz and displays many local history artefacts as well as landscape paintings from the last 200 years., © Turmmuseum Oetz
Local history museum

The award-winning Turmmuseum Oetz is as tall as many a church spire and a somewhat surprising sight in a small mountain village. It is the oldest secular building in Oetz and displays many local history artefacts as well as landscape paintings from the last 200 years.



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Any visit to Oetz would not be complete without a trip to Lake Piburger See, a beautiful lake hidden behind a mountain ridge. With a water temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius, it is the warmest alpine lake in Tirol and popular among hikers and foodies thanks to its impressive location and delicious trout., © Ötztal Tourismus/Elias Holzknecht
Hidden gem

Any visit to Oetz would not be complete without a trip to Lake Piburger See, a beautiful lake hidden behind a mountain ridge. With a water temperature of around 23 degrees Celsius, it is the warmest alpine lake in Tirol and popular among hikers and foodies thanks to its impressive location and delicious trout.



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The historic village centre of Oetz has been carefully preserved and houses many old guesthouses and inns such as the “Stern”, where both locals and visitors appreciate the traditionally warm welcome., © Ötztal Tourismus/Anton Klocker
A traditionally warm welcome

The historic village centre of Oetz has been carefully preserved and houses many old guesthouses and inns such as the “Stern”, where both locals and visitors appreciate the traditionally warm welcome.

This area of the village perched above the valley floor offers activities and attractions for everyone, from the Knappenweg trail for experienced hikers to a Wild Animal Adventure Path for families, from challenging mountainbike routes for two-wheel enthusiasts to perfectly prepared pistes for skiers and snowboarders., © Ötztal Tourismus/Bernd Ritschel
Hochoetz

This area of the village perched above the valley floor offers activities and attractions for everyone, from the Knappenweg trail for experienced hikers to a Wild Animal Adventure Path for families, from challenging mountainbike routes for two-wheel enthusiasts to perfectly prepared pistes for skiers and snowboarders.



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The Ötztaler Ache River is the ideal place for adrenaline seekers wishing to get their kicks, be it wildwater rafting, canoeing or canyoning. Those looking for a riverside activity of the more sedate type will enjoy the good fishing on offer in the area., © Ötztal Tourismus/Christoph Schöch
Wet and wild

The Ötztaler Ache River is the ideal place for adrenaline seekers wishing to get their kicks, be it wildwater rafting, canoeing or canyoning. Those looking for a riverside activity of the more sedate type will enjoy the good fishing on offer in the area.

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Ihr Ziel: Oetz, Österreich

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