On the road from Vent to Rofen, the panoramic trail branches off to the North West just after the centre of Vent, heading uphill to the right. Here, the fields are still cultivated by hand, as it is scarcely possible to use machines owing to the steepness of the terrain. At the start, follow the forest road leading up to the mountain station at the Stablein chair lift. There are also numerous escapes from the road along little paths. At the last bend, the panoramic trail then finally branches off to the right. The track takes a steady uphill course past several dilapidated sheds that used to be used to store the hay. Today, almost none of the grass on steep slopes in the higher areas is still being cut. The trail bends to the North West, practically circumventing the Weißkarkogel. One of the many little glacier lakes is situated in its cirque, which is reached after a short climb. At an altitude of approx. 2,700m, the trail now goes up and down hill over the Mutboden and always along the mountainside. Another uphill stretch after the Seiter Kar cirque takes you into the basin-shaped valley of the Tiefenbachferner glacier (approx. 3h 40min – 4h). The Tiefenbachferner is linked via a tunnel to the Rettenbachferner glacier and is a ski region not only in the winter but also in summer, snow conditions permitting. It is clearly obvious to the hiker in the summer, faced with the pitiful sight of the over-exploited glacier, that winter tourism should not be allowed to get out of hand if we still want to preserve a few untouched areas in the Alps. After following the motorway down to the foot of the glacier, the trail then branches off towards the right to the Gaislachalm meadow and to Zwieselstein. The sight of the grey glacier is quickly left behind and you will arrive at the Petznersee lake after a steep but short descent. The lake offers an apparently strange sight with its grey silt banks, the expanses of green moss and the glittering blue water. Next, the trail takes a steep and narrowly winding downhill course. Owing to the loose gravel, care must be taken not to slip. But then it becomes flatter again and continues on a thoroughly enjoyable walk across the meadows along the sloping ridge to the Gaislachalm (approx. 2h). On the right-hand side, the E5 swings off down to Zwieselstein. For those who wish to spare themselves the walk, there is also a bus that runs from the Gaislachalm to Zwieselstein, although the trail through the mountain woodland is very beautiful. However, as the following stage leads off again from the Gaislachalm, the descent to Zwieselstein is not obligatory. It is also possible to stay overnight in one of the inns on the Gaislachalm, enjoy the sunset and walk effortlessly onwards the next morning.
At the Tiefenbach glacier, keep to the right and follow the roadway a short distance uphill before the panoramic track to Vent branches off to the left.

(Christina Schwann, OeAV)

Most of the trail passes through the Ötztal Alps Nature Park, which stretches out from the Wurmkogel and Hochfrist in the East to the Weißkugel in the West, and from Zwieselstein and Mittelberg to the North. The rest area, established in 1981 and spanning 394.7 km2, stands out for its wildness and unspoiled state. The populated areas of Obergurgl and Vent and the ski resorts around Obergurgl, Rettenbachjoch, Riffelsee and at the Mittelbergferner glacier are not included. A number of peaks tower above 3,500m, including the Wildspitze, the Weißkugel and the Similaun, the highest peaks in the Ötztal Alps. Owing to the altitude, the vegetation of the rest area mainly comprises alpine grass heath, debris and rock vegetation. In lower lying areas, there are also dwarf shrub heaths, on steep slopes dwarf mountain pine and in gullies mainly alders. At Zwieselstein and in the Gurgltal and Ventertal valleys, you can also see wooded slopes on the sub-alpine level with larch/cembran pine woodland. The designated “rest area” of the Ötztal Alps and the UNESCO “Gurgler Kamm” biosphere reserve are among the most studied areas in the Alps. An ecological research centre belonging to the University of Innsbruck is situated in Obergurgl. It has been conducting intensive research into the high-alpine ecosystem for decades (www.obergurgl.uibk.ac.at). Numerous publications provide interesting information on all aspects of life in high mountain regions. Many of the organisms in the Ötztal Alps show characteristic adjustments to the extreme conditions, e.g. multi-annual development cycles with optimal use of the short growing season. Numerous lakes and ponds have formed in the silicate-rich stone, and area sealed off either by mighty moraine embankments or through outcropping stone. As only relatively few minerals or salts can be released from the silicate, these lakes show very low conductivity and a low basic balance. That is why the lakes react in a particularly sensitive manner to environmental influences such as acid rain. The University of Innsbruck is investigating such influences at several of these lakes, and they above all become evident after the snow melts and the substances stored in the snow very quickly make their way into the water. Zwieselstein is situated approx. 3km from Sölden, the main town in the Ötztal valley. While Sölden is principally known for its winter tourism, Zwieselstein has remained a peaceful little place with a village character, not least of all due to the narrowness of the valley. The church with the altar to the Virgin Mary dates back to 1747.
Literature: Lesebuch Ötztaler Alpen, Hans Haid, Loewenzahn Sölden im Ötztal, Hans Haid, Loewenzahn
(Christina Schwann, OeAV with the kind support of Dr. Hans Haid)