Living tradition on your holiday in the Ötztal

Gurgl is located in the Ötztal Alps near the Alpine main ridge and is surrounded by peaks up to 3,500 m high and several glaciers. The settlements lie in the Gurgler Valley at an altitude of 1,770 metres. Obergurgl is at 1,930 metres and is known as Austria’s highest parish village. The Gurgler Valley branches off from the Ötztal at Zwieselstein towards the south, and together with the Venter Valley, which also branches off at the same point, forms the continuation of the Ötztal. The last settlement in the 10-kilometre-long Gurgler Valley is Obergurgl – the valley ends at the Gurgler Ferner glacier. To the east, the Timmel Valley branches off from the Gurgler Valley, connecting the Ötztal with South Tyrol via the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road. Most of the valley lies within the Ötztal Alps; below the confluence of the Timmelsbach, the Gurgler Ache marks the border with the Stubai Alps to the east.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Gurgler ice lake burst and devastated the Gurgler Valley and the Ötztal as a result. In the middle section around Obergurgl, the valley floor is relatively wide and flat. Above this, the valley narrows again and rises to around 2,200 m, where the glacier zone begins. A mountain ridge separates the valley to the west from the Venter Valley and Niedertal. The eastern side of the valley is less steep and, unlike the western side, is interrupted by several side valleys. The Gurgler Ferner forms the valley’s southern end. Today, the valley is heavily shaped by tourism and offers an extensive ski area (Obergurgl-Hochgurgl) on its eastern side. Obergurgl is fascinating, steeped in history and breathtakingly beautiful. You can see for yourself during your next holiday.

HISTORICAL SETTLEMENT

The place name "Gurgl" is first mentioned in writing in 1250 in the name of a servant of the Lords of Montalban from the Vinschgau: "Heberhardus von Gurgele". The name is traced back to the term "Gurgall": "Place in the glacier ring". Traces of settlement can already be found around 7,500 BC. It is highly likely that people have always been aware of the special location and beauty of Gurgl and Obergurgl. Around 1760, about 200 people lived in Gurgl. They made their living from agriculture, particularly livestock farming. Other activities, such as weaving, were of great importance at the time. The "Tiroler Bote" reported in 1821 that almost all farmers in the Ötztal worked as linen weavers or loden weavers in winter. This was mainly done using flax, which was grown in the valley and sold for spinning via the Timmelsjoch to Passeier. Due to the changing consumer behaviour in the 19th century, the farmers could no longer secure their livelihoods. For this reason, the population in Obergurgl rapidly declined – it fell to just 39 people. The only thing that could counteract this was the emerging alpinism and the development into a winter sports resort, as it still exists today. The special climate and the unique location contributed to the development of Obergurgl. Obergurgl is not only a paradise for skiers, but hiking in Obergurgl and the surrounding region is also extremely popular. With partial source and information: Alpine Research Station Obergurgl, University of Innsbruck.

OBERGURGL FASCINATES IN EVERY RESPECT

Our hotel is located in the best spot in Obergurgl, right on the ski slope and just a few steps from the mountain lifts, and reveals itself as a true dream ski resort and is not without reason referred to as the diamond of the Alps. The valley also boasts a fascinating mountain world all around. There is no need to do without wonderful buildings and architectural highlights here either. Particularly worth mentioning are the parish church of St John of Nepomuk and the monument erected to commemorate the emergency landing and rescue of Auguste Piccard in 1931.