Obergurgl holidays

Obergurgl has a few bathing lakes and beaches in the area, which are accessible by public transport or by hiring a car. From the small, family-friendly places to paddle at Lake Umhausen, to the big, action-packed, adventure beach at Area 47.

Lake Umhausen sits directly opposite a relaxed pizzeria and is great for kids to run around. There’s a small patch of sand and plenty of grassy lawns to play on. Or you could make your way to Lake Piburger See in the Ötz valley. It’s one of warmest bathing lakes in Tyrol and has row boats available for hire.

For a beach day with a side of thrills, visit Area 47 - a huge natural swimming lake in a beautiful forest space, with off-road trails, canyoning, white water rafting, diving and other outdoor activities.

There’s not much in the way of scoping out bargains in town. But by popping into the local shops you can keep an eye on any sales, discounts or promotions.

Obergurgl has a few premium sport shops that sell equipment and clothing. There are a few souvenir shops to look around, too.

Obergurgl is a pretty, high altitude village so there are lots of views to take in, especially as the sun sinks down.

There are very few bars open around town in the summer, but you can enjoy a quiet drink in many of the hotels.

Obergurgl has a lot to offer when it comes to food. From pizzerias and mountain huts to award-winning restaurants, you’ll always be able to try something new and different. And whether your’re 3,000m above sea level, or low down in the valley, you’re bound to find somewhere that steals your heart. Unfortunately, a lot of the mountain huts are closed during the summer months, but don’t fret as there are still lots of other places on offer.

This traditional restaurant's got a real rustic feel, with it's wooden decor and random Alpine items hanging from the ceiling. They serve classic Austrian dishes, but the pizzas here are the real highlight.

Down in the valley is the truly unique Sahnestuberl, a tiny, rustic hut with stunning views. The owners, Peter and Ingrid, have run the hut for over 20 years and today are still cooking up some delicious, homemade dishes.

Local buses are also free with an Ötzal Card and run to loads of different places; Sölden (25 minutes), Ötz (1 hour 15 minutes), Telfs (3 hours 30 minutes), Vent (15 minutes) and even over the border to Moos in Italy. The Ötzal bus runs down the valley to various other villages and lifts, whilst the Panorama Glacier bus from Sölden will take you to the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers.

There’s the Hohe Mut Bahn gondola in Obergurgl and the Hochgurglbahn and Top Wurmkogel lifts in Hochgurgl. If you’ve got an Öztal Premium Card, you’ll get a couple of free rides too.

There are no trains running from Obergurgl but there is a station at the end of the valley, the Ötzal bahnhof, which takes around an hour and a half to get to by bus. From there, you can hop on a train to Innsbruck which takes another hour – and it’s free if you’ve bought an Ötzal Premium Card.

Obergurgl is relatively quiet in summer, so you can enjoy long, peaceful walks through the town and out into the surrounding countryside. There are even reduced traffic zones. And thanks to its high altitude, you can be sure of excellent views wherever you go.

Obergurgl is the walker’s paradise with over 1,300km of trails through green pastures, mountain forests and scenic marshlands. Walking on top of the world is an everyday occurrence here, with 20 mountains towering to over 3,000m. The tourist office organises a weekly walking programme based around a particular theme, with 18 different walks and one high Alpine tour. If you want to set out alone, the Ötztal Card gives access to the lifts and buses. You can also challenge yourself to get the Ötztaler Hiker's Pin in Gold, Silver or Bronze - just remember to pick up your stamps at the mountain huts you visit.

Ditch the lifts and explore a different part of the region. From the edge of town, follow the cart trail through Alpine meadows to The Zirben Alm mountain restaurant. Then take the walking trail to the Nasenwand rock wall and ascend through a 400-year old pine forest. Cross a bridge and you’ll reach the Schönwieshutte, perfect for a break. You can also walk a further 15 minutes to Schönwieskopf, for breathtaking views. This is an easy walk, with just a short uphill section.

Stroll along the Gaisberg Bridge from town and then turn onto the winding trail towards Gaisbergtal. At the top, you’ll reach the glacier tip of Gaisbergferner where, if you visit at the right time, you’ll find plenty of Alpine flowers and wildlife. Follow the trail towards the lower end of the valley to the Hohe Mut, one of the valley’s most popular mountain huts. The walk is around 5.5km and the last section is steeper, but it’s worth it.