SAFETY & ORIENTATION
Helpful APPs, tipps & tools: The goal of every mountain tour is not to reach the summit, but to return safely back to the valley. From checking the current weather to route planning, from equipment to apps - we have compiled all the important information, tips and tools for you.
Hiking Recommendations
The umbrella organization of the leading Alpine mountain sports associations - "Club Arc Alpin" (CAA) - has developed recommendations suitable for every hiker and climber - for your own safety and in order to preserve Alpine nature for future tours. Even when meeting grazing livestock on Alpine pastures it's very important to observe some useful guidelines.
Mountain hiking is an endurance sport. The positive stress stimuli for both the heart and circulation require health and a realistic self-assessment before you set out on a tour. Avoid time pressure and choose the speed according to the weakest hiker.
Hiking maps, guide books, websites and experts provide information on length, altitude difference, difficulty levels and current weather conditions. Only choose tours that are suitable for the entire group! Pay special attention to the weather report as rain, wind and cold increase the risk of accidents.
Adjust your equipment to the tour and pay attention to a light backpack. Rain, cold and sun protection are always a must in the backpack, as well as a first aid kit and a mobile phone (European emergency call: 112). A detailed map or GPS data can support orientation.
Sturdy, ankle-high hiking boots protect and relieve your feet by improving surefootedness! Make sure you choose a perfect fit, a non-slip grip sole, water resistant but light hiking boots.
Falling as a result of slipping or stumbling is the most common cause of Alpine accidents! Keep in mind that excessive speed or tiredness can seriously affect your surefootedness and concentration. Please note the danger of falling rocks: always walk carefully to avoid that you trigger falling stones or rocks.
In unmarked terrain there is a high risk of loss of orientation, falling and falling rocks. Avoid shortcuts and return to the last known point once you get off the hiking route. Often underestimated and very dangerous: steep, old snow fields!
A timely rest stop is perfect for recreation, enjoyment of landscape and a chat among friends. Enough food and drink are necessary to maintain efficiency and concentration. Isotonic drinks are ideal thirst quenchers. Muesli bars, dried fruit and biscuits satisfy your hunger on the way.
Don't forget that variety and playful discovery are in the foreground for the youngest hikers! On stretches with risk of falling, one adult can only care for one child. Very exposed tours that require a long time of concentration are not suitable for children.
A small group guarantees flexibility and mutual help. Always inform family or friends down in the valley about your hiking destination, the route and the approximate return time. Stay together in the group. Single hikers - please note: even minor incidents can lead to serious emergencies.
In order to protect nature in the mountains: don't leave any waste, avoid noise, stay on the marked trails, don't disturb wild or grazing animals, don't touch Alpine plants and respect protected areas and preserves. Use public transport lines or carpools to get there.
IMPORTANT: Dogs must be leashed!
- Make sure there is enough distance to the grazing animals and stay on the walking trails.
- If a cow feels threatened, especially by dogs or other provocation, the animal will defend itself and the calves.
- Taking dogs with you is at your own risk. Accompanying dogs must always be kept on a leash. If an attack by cattle is unavoidable, release the dog from the leash immediately - otherwise you could become the target of the attack.
- Keep calm and quiet when crossing grazing areas and walk around the cattle by keeping enough distance.
- Walk past closed gates and fences only if there is no other possibility. Close all gates carefully!
ROUTE CLASSIFIACTION
Thanks to a standardized signposting system for trail markers, hikers will easily find the right way in and around the mountains of Sölden. Furthermore, the classification of trails in different levels of difficulty helps to choose the suitable hiking route. Walking trails (easy), mountain trails (moderately difficult to difficult) and Alpine routes (very difficult) with certain characteristics take you straight up to various altitudes in the surroundings of Sölden.
Broad and almost level walking trails on the valley floor, close to settlements, leading through wooded areas. No prior mountain experience is required. Hiking equipment is not necessary.
Suitable for: beginners, leisurely walkers
Mountain trails of intermediate difficulty, located above the timberline in most cases. They are mostly narrow, often steep, sometimes exposed and require basic Alpine experience and knowledge. Some trails feature short, secured climbing passages.
Suitable for: surefooted and experienced mountain hikers
Black hiking trails are difficult routes, they are narrow, steep or very steep, often exposed and can be dangerous especially in bad weather. These trails may feature longer, secured climbing passages. Also via ferrata routes are black mountain trails.
Suitable for: absolutely sure-footed mountaineers with Alpine experience and a good head for heights, Alpine hiking equipment is a must
These extremely difficult routes can be found in high Alpine terrain on partially unmarked routes, very exposed footpaths featuring unsecured hiking and climbing passages. There is a high risk of slipping and falling on Alpine routes.
Suitable for: absolutely sure-footed mountaineers with enough high Alpine experience, excellent stamina and a good head for heights, Alpine hiking equipment is a must
MOUNTAIN RESCUE & FIRST AID
Good preparation for a mountain tour also includes knowing what to do in an emergency. A first aid kit should be in every rucksack and the emergency app of Leitstelle Tirol (SOS-EU-ALP) should be on every smartphone. IMPORTANT NOTE: Make sure your cell phone is fully charged before you start the tour.
140: Mountain rescue – alpine emergency call
112: European emergency call (works with any cell phone & any available network)
With poor or no signal or in a dead spot no emergency call is possible. Change to a better location and dial 112 regularly.
European emergency call: access to any network available if you switch on your mobile phone and dial 112 instead of the PIN code or if you use the SOS Emergency Call feature.
- Who reports / callback number?
- Where exactly is the accident site?
- What happened?
- How many injured persons?
The SOS-EU-ALP emergency app of Leitstelle Tirol helps to place an emergency call and transmits your own location data at the same time in order to guide the mountain rescue team to the place of accident in a time-saving and effective manner.
The Tirol Mountain Rescue..
- offers search, rescue and recovery insurance for the whole family for just € 32 per year.
- helps where other rescue organizations are already stuck.
- provides professional help in high Alpine terrain.
- can rely on a professionally trained team of volunteers
- is on standby around the clock, 365 days a year.
- consists of 92 local service points to be at the place of accident as quickly as possible
Rules of Behaviour
The VAVÖ (Austria Alpine Associations) and the UIAA (Union international des associations d'alpinisme) have set up 10 international hiking and mountaineering rules to promote safety in the Alpine hiking regions. Those who respect these guidelines can enjoy a truly carefree hiking holiday in Sölden.
1. Physical shape
2. Tour Planning
3. Equipment
4. Weather
5. Inform someone
6. Best hiking time
7. Hiking companions
8. Overexertion
9. Hiking Trails
10. Environment
TOUR PLANNING & EQUIPMENT
Nothing points against a spontaneous walk in the sunshine. But if the tour leads into high Alpine terrain, accurate route planning, a complete set of hiking equipment and enough knowhow for emergencies are absolutely required so that hikers and mountaineers are perfectly prepared for almost any situation - and can enjoy a fabulous day in Sölden's mountains.
Tour planning: caution first ...
The longer a tour lasts, the more time is needed for planning it and the heavier is the packing list. Especially multi-day tours require exact logistics when it comes to food and drink, a realistic assessment of physical fitness and a constantly updated weather forecast. In general, it's much better to stop a tour earlier than to experience a sudden drop in temperature in the high mountains. Further useful advice for safe mountain hiking is provided by the general hiking recommendation and the international do's and don'ts mountain rules.
Equipment: The must-haves on the mountain
The equipment list depends on the selected hiking destination and the current weather report.
- Breathable outdoor clothing suitable for the weather conditions of the following few days
- Enough food and drink for all days (check availability of serviced Alpine huts)
- First aid kit
- Mobile phone with full battery and mobile phone charger
- Detailed hiking map and hiking literature
- Sunscreen (sunglasses, sunscreen and cap)
- Overnight utensils (hut sleeping bag, comfortable shoes for the hut, etc.)
- Bivouac sack
- Raingear
- Cash money
- Detailed backpack checklist for multi-day hikes (PDF)
Special tip: Always talk to the hut tenants on the spot - they know the local conditions very well and also how the weather will be in the following days.
HIKING MAPS
Current hiking and touring maps as well as exactly researched hiking and touring guides are the absolutely needed for a memorable mountain hiking tour. The Ötztal Tourismus Information Offices provide the best material of the most renowned publishers. Additionally, you will get personal advice and tips for the next mountain adventure in Sölden and the entire Ötztal.
Ötztal Hiking Book
Ötztal opens up a world of its own: At 65 kilometers long, it is not only the longest side valley of the Inn River but also the largest transverse valley in the entire Eastern Alps. Bordered by the Stubai Alps to the east and the Ötztal Alps to the west, it is framed by more than 300 peaks over 3,000 meters, including renowned summits such as Zuckerhütl, Wildspitze, and Weißkugel.
Magical moments above the Ötztal
Mountain experience in Ötztal: a “best-of” of everything the Alps have to offer. Ötztal is a world of contrasts. Located between the Inn Valley and the main ridge of the Alps, the 65-kilometer-long valley stretches across five valley levels and various climate zones, flanked by 250 peaks over 3,000 meters.