This leisurely three-hour hike to the Schönwieshütte right at the end of the Ötztal Valley leads from Obergurgl through a protected stone pine forest, past a wild gorge with waterfall up to the hut at 2,270 metres above sea level. The trails are not too steep, but hikers must be sure-footed in places, especially when there is snow. The walk can also be shortened by completing a section using the cable car.
Start at the church in the centre of Obergurgl. From there, follow the Piccardweg and leave the village in a south-westerly direction. Walk across fields parallel to the Gurgler Ache river past the Mahdstuhllift and the Zirbenalm pasture into the Zirbenwald forest. The hiking trail winds gently uphill for about 1.4 kilometres to the Rotmoos waterfall at the gorge of the same name. From the waterfall it is only about 500 metres until the trail joins a wider forest path that finally leads past the reservoir to the Schönwieshütte. If you don't want to hike through the stone pine forest you can also shorten the route by taking the Steinmannbahn cable car from the Zirbenalm. For a fee, the cable car takes you directly up to 2,220 metres above sea level. Hike the same route back.