Scenic circular hike on our local mountain in Umhausen in the Ötztal

Steep climb to the best spot on the Narrenkogel near Umhausen in the Ötztal Valley

The Ascent

The tour starts at the large hiking car park in Niederthai, about a 10-minute drive from the Explorer Hotel in Umhausen. From there, the tour takes you through the hamlets of Sennhof, Höfle, and Bichl toward the town entrance.

Follow the road in Bichl to the end, where the hiking trail to the Narrenkogel begins.

The trail now leads you moderately along the slope before becoming a steeper mountain path. On the forest slope, you hike over small streams; in a few short sections, the trail is equipped with climbing aids and ropes.

The trail continues steeply uphill in several switchbacks to a hunting lodge in a clearing – here you've already reached an elevation of about 2,000 meters. Above the hut, the trail re-enters the forest. About 100 meters later, the forest becomes somewhat thinner, and you continue steeply uphill through the forest until you reach an open slope. Here, keep right to follow the ridge to the summit of the Narrenkogel (2,309 m).

After the steep climb and 1,300 meters above the valley, you'll be treated to a magnificent view of the Stubai and Ötztal Alps. From the summit, you have a particularly good view of the opposite Geigenkamm ridge with the Funduspfeiler (3,080 m).

TIP: From the Narrenkogel, you also have the option of continuing the ascent and climbing the Poschachkogel (2,574 m).

The Descent

With a constant view of Niederthai, descend from the summit to the tree line. From here, the path becomes somewhat steeper and leads you down to the 'Bergle' (a mountain pine). The descent continues, sometimes steeply, through the forest towards Sennhof. You walk the last stretch back to Niederthai on the Bergmahderweg.