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Alpine Tour recommended route

From Vent to Similaun at 3,606 m

Alpine Tour · Vent
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  • Similaun
    Similaun
    Photo: Jochen Müller, Ötztal Tourismus
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Selected alternatives for you
    Vent - Martin-Busch-Hütte - Similaunhütte - Similaun - Vent
    difficult
    Distance 29.6 km
    12:30 h
    1,706 m
    1,706 m
    3,606 m
    1,900 m
    Similaun peak stretches up to an altitude of over 3600 meters and is therefore not only one of the highest mountains in the Ötztal Alps, it is also listed as Austria’s eighth highest mountain. Although it is covered by glaciers in the north (Marzellferner), east and south (Grafferner), it is considered a suitable destination to get in touch with glacier tours for the first time because the ascent is quite easy in terms of hiking technique: of course only if accompanied by a professional mountain guide and with the appropriate equipment!

    Located on the Italian-Austrian border, the eye-catching three thousand meter high mountain not only attracts beginners, the magnificent view from its summit also inspires mountain professionals time and again. In addition, its ancient paths crossed the traces of a true celebrity. More than 30 years ago, the glacier mummy Ötzi - the "Iceman" - was discovered on nearby Hauslabjoch saddle. Visiting the place of finding, only 1¼ hours from Similaunhütte, is almost a must for experienced hikers.

    What’s important: surefootedness, fitness and a very good physical condition are absolutely required for the long tour up to Similaun, but there are two base camps along the route for regenerating overnight stay or refreshment stop at Martin Busch Hütte (2501 m) and Similaunhütte (3019 m). No matter if you conquer the peak in stages or in one go, the well-deserved "Berg Heil" greeting among mountaineers at the summit against the backdrop of this magnificent alpine scenery will remain a precious memory forever.

    Author’s recommendation

    Glacier tour - glacier equipment necessary.

    Reservation of the hut sleeping places necessary.

    Tipp: Visit to Ötzi’s finding site, 1¼ hiking hours from Similaunhütte.

    Profile picture of Ötztal Tourismus
    Author
    Ötztal Tourismus
    Update: March 19, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    3,606 m
    Lowest point
    1,900 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Forested/wild trail 51.34%Path 30.04%Traces of trail 13.40%Secured trail 5.20%
    Forested/wild trail
    15.2 km
    Path
    8.9 km
    Traces of trail
    4 km
    Secured trail
    1.5 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Martin Busch Hütte
    Similaunhütte

    Safety information

    For high alpine experienced mountaineers that are free from vertigo & surefooted. Excellent physical condition, extensive mountain experience, alpine climbing gear, safety- and orientation guide, good weather conditions recommended. Please pay attention to the current weather report: www.oetztal.com

    Tips and suggestions

    More details about hiking In Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/wandern 

    Start

    Vent
    Coordinates:
    DD
    46.857979, 10.912669
    DMS
    46°51'28.7"N 10°54'45.6"E
    UTM
    32T 645795 5191158
    w3w 
    ///commuting.concludes.blurry

    Destination

    Vent

    Turn-by-turn directions

    Vent - Martin-Busch-Hütte

    From Vent to Ochsenkopf lift, halfway up the lift turn left into Niedertal side valley. On a wide trail past the mountain guide chapel and the shepherd's hut on a moderately ascending path towards Martin Busch Hütte; walking time: 2 ½ - 3 hours.

     

    Martin-Busch-Hütte - Similaunhütte

    From the hut first continue on a flat trail in the direction of Niederjoch col, after about 30 minutes ascend straight up to the lateral moraine of Niederjochferner glacier, crossing the crevasse-free glacier during the last 30 walking minutes towards Similaunhütte; walking time: 2 hours.

     

    Similaunhütte - Similaun auf 3.606 m

    From Similaunhütte over the moraine ridge in a few minutes to Niederjochferner glacier. Cross the glacier near the rocks and continue to the ridge, which protrudes into the glacier field. Follow the narrow footpath up to the rocky ridge and the glacier located behind it (caution: crevasses!) until you get to the even steeper summit ascent. Then continue either over corn snow (“firn”) or – if it is icy – on the right side over rocks to the ridge. Cross the ridge, the last few meters are quite exposed, and continue to the summit cross; walking time: approx. 2 ½ hours.

     

    Similaun - Vent

    Descent on the same route back to Similaunhütte and via Martin-Busch-Hütte to Vent. Alternative descent branches off to the right from Niederjochferner glacier towards Marzellkamm ridge. A little steeper over the ridge to Martin-Busch-Hütte and back to Vent (1,900 m). Walking time: approx. 5 ½ hours.

     

    Total walking distance

    Ascent: from Vent to the summit - approx. 7 - 7 ½ hours walking time

    Descent: from the summit to Vent - approx. 5 ½ hours walking time

    Public transport

    Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

     

    Directions

    Vent is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

     

    Parking

    The following parking options are available in the mountaineering village Vent 

     - In summertime in front of the village (parking machine, only coins or EC card) and at the chairlift (at the ticket office of the mountain railways)

     - In wintertime only at the chairlift

     Cost: € 6,00 per day/car

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.857979, 10.912669
    DMS
    46°51'28.7"N 10°54'45.6"E
    UTM
    32T 645795 5191158
    w3w 
    ///commuting.concludes.blurry
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    Ötztaler Wanderbuch | Helga Marberger | Verlag: Tyrolia (german language)

    Author’s map recommendations

    Kompass #042 | Inneres Ötztal und Pitztal, Gurgler Tal, Venter Tal | 1:25.000

    Kompass #042 | Inneres Ötztal und Pitztal, Gurgler Tal, Venter Tal | 1:25.000

    Kompass #43 | Ötztaler Alpen, Ötztal, Pitztal | 1:50.000

    Freytag&Bernd WK 251  | Ötztal, Pitztal, Kaunertal, Wildspitze  | 1:25:000

    Kompass | Bike- & Wanderkarte Ötztal | 1:35.000

    Equipment

    It is recommended to wear hiking equipment such as breathable and weather-adapted outdoor clothing, ankle-high mountain boots, wind, rain and sun protection, cap and possibly gloves. It is also important to have enough food, as well as a first-aid package, a cell phone and a hiking map.

     

    Similar routes nearby

    • Vent - Hochjoch Hospiz - Brandenburger Haus
    • Vent - Ramolhaus
    • Three huts hike - Breslauer Hütte, Vernagthütte, Hochjoch Hospiz
    • Vent - Breslauer Hütte - Vernagthütte
    • From Vent to Fluchtkogel at 3,500 m
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    29.6 km
    Duration
    12:30 h
    Ascent
    1,706 m
    Descent
    1,706 m
    Highest point
    3,606 m
    Lowest point
    1,900 m
    Refreshment stops available Out and back Summit route Scenic Exposed sections Scrambling required Ridge

    Statistics

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    Features
    Maps and trails
    • 6 Waypoints
    • 6 Waypoints
    • Route
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     km Distance
    : h Duration
     m Ascent
     m Descent
     m Highest point
     m Lowest point