Even without previous knowledge and with a bit of climbing experience sports enthusiasts can venture their first ice climbing route accompanied by a local mountain guide. Discipline and safety always come first. Because the right belaying technique, assessing the quality of ice correctly on the spot and perfect climbing iron techniques at various difficulty levels are absolutely required for beginners. The right use of ice pick and crampons must be practiced before climbing a frozen waterfall. There are just under thirty different ice climbing falls in Längenfeld, featuring varied heights and levels of difficulty. The exhausting ascent is also a trial of patience as you don't set a speed record when climbing a waterfall - at least not as a beginner or slightly advanced. Once on top, amateur athletes are all enthusiastic about such a unique experience, and they usually describe it as "really great" unanimously. Among the sporty evening highlights ranks floodlit ice climbing by night on the waterfall in Längenfeld.
Ice Climbing in Ötztal
Up the frozen waterfall
Not a sport for everyone but an ice-cold adventure for daredevils, in which the magic waterfalls of Ötztal play the main role. There are several possibilities, even beginners can give ice climbing a try. Climbing crampons and ice tools are part of the basic equipment. The right technique can be easily learned from experienced mountain guides.
Along the icy slope
MÜRBIHL
| Activity | Description |
| Icefall | Short icefall in the Ötztal Ice Climbing Park, floodlit daily from 5.00 to 9.00 pm |
| Difficulty | pitches |
| WI 4+ | 2 pitches |
| Facing to | Parking |
| Northeast | Oberried climbing garden |
| Access | Descent |
|
From the car park you follow the signposts to the icefall |
Abseiling (climbing bolts are provided in some sections) |
SPIDER, EL GRINGO, FIX UND FOXI
| Activity | Description |
| Waterfall climbing | Splendid ice surface with a quite difficult part at the end |
| Difficulty | Pitches |
| WI 2/5+ | approx. 3-4 pitches, height 70-190 m |
| Facing to | Parking |
| East |
Volksschule Tumpen (elementary school Tumpen) |
| Access | Descent |
| Heading towards the lower valley, you turn left at the farmhouse and proceed to the waterfall (duration: 0.5 hr) | Along the route by abseiling with ice anchors and on trees or across the forest until you reach the lowest section where you can abseil down on the trees (duration: 1 hr) |
DOWNLOADS:
Download Topo Spider, El Gringo, Fix and Foxi (PDF)
Download description Spider (PDF)
Download description El Gringo (PDF)
Download description Fix und Foxi (PDF)
MEISTER PROPER
| Activity | Description |
| Waterfall climbing | A short but difficult waterfall |
| Difficulty | pitches |
| WI 2/5+ | approx. 3-4 pitches, height 70-190 m |
| Facing to | Parking |
| East | Volksschule Tumpen (elementary school) |
| Access | Descent |
|
After the church heading towards the upper valley to the Gesteigalm and you will reach the waterfall after 30,5 h. (duration: 0,5 h) |
Abseiling down along the route by using ice anchors, hooks and trees (duration: 1.5 hrs) |
DOWNLOADS:
Download Topo Meister Proper (PDF)
Download description Meister Proper (PDF)
SCOOBY DOO, GHOSTBUSTER 1, GHOSTBUSTER 2
| Activity | Description |
|
Waterfall climbing |
Short waterfalls, ideal for practicing |
| Difficulty | pitches |
| WI 2+/5+ | approx. 1-2 pitches, 15-35 m |
| Facing to | Parking |
| South-West | From Oetz towards Ochsengarten; leave your car in the Taxegg area located to the right of the bridge. |
| Access | Descent |
| Walking through the forest you reach the forest trail, follow the descending trail which takes you right to the waterfall. (duration: 5 min) |
Abseiling down along the route by using ice anchors, hooks and trees. (duration: 0.5 hr |
DOWNLOADS:
Download Topo Ghostbuster 1 and 2 and Scooby Doo (PDF)
Download description Ghostbuster 1 (PDF)
Download description Ghostbuster 2 (PDF)
Download description Scooby Doo (PDF)
EIS AM STIEL
| Activity | Description |
| Waterfall climbing | Short waterfalls |
| Difficulty | pitches |
| WI 4/4+ | approx. 1 pitches, height 50 m |
| Facing to | Parking |
| North | From Oetz towards Ochsengarten; leave your car in the Taxegg area located to the right of the bridge. |
| Access | Descent |
|
Heading towards the bridge located in the upper part and crossing Nederbach brook, you are on the way up to the waterfall. (duration: 15 min) |
Abseiling down along the route by using ice anchors, hooks and trees. (duration: 0.5 hr) |
DOWNLOADS:
Download Topo Eis am Stiel (PDF)
Download description Eis am Stiel (PDF)
ASTERIX, OBELIX, ATLANTIS
| Activity | Description |
| Waterfall climbing | Short waterfall |
| Difficulty | Pitches |
| WI 2/3+ | approx. 2 pitches, height 75 m |
| Facing to | Parking |
| North | From Oetz towards Ochsengarten; leave your car in the Taxegg area located to the right of the bridge. |
| Access | Descent |
|
Walking through the forest you reach the forest trail; follow the ascending trail which takes you right to the waterfall. (duration: 0.5 hr) |
Abseiling down along the route by using ice anchors, hooks and trees. (duration: 0.5 hr) |
DOWNLOADS:
Download Topo Asterix and Obelix (PDF)
Download description Asterix (PDF)
Download description Obelix (PDF)
Download description Atlantis (PDF)
Here you'll learn what really matters: Secure, crampons, assessing the quality of ice and difficulty.
Tip: Mountain guide, rental equipment, topographical details and advice on current conditions offered by Ewald Holzknecht and his team at Alpintreff, Unterlängenfeld 90, 6444 Längenfeld, T +43 664 4434684