About Obergurgl

The Austrian town of Obergurgl forms a part of the tourist resort of Gurgl/Hochgurgl and is located in the municipality of Sölden, in the state of Tyrol. It is especially popular for ski hire and hiking. Obergurgl is located at the southern end of the Otztal Gurglertal valley which is connected to the Inntal valley. Travelling east from Obergurgl will take you to the Italian province of Bolzano-Bozen. Several glaciers and peaks surround the town, offering real challenges for hardcore hikers and climbers. 400 full-time inhabitants live there. Obergurgl came to prominence in 1931 when Swiss explorer Auguste Picard landed at the nearby Grosser Gurgler Ferner glacier while becoming the first man to fly a hot air balloon into the stratosphere.

Show sights

Obergurgl is of great tourist interest vis a vis its sights and places of interest. The Banff Springs Hotel is a health spa featuring hot and cold springs - what Austria is famous for. However, ski hire in Obergurgl is the major attraction of the town, with many training schools and Obergurgl ski hire companies operating between between two zones above the town itself and the dips around the scenic hamlet of Hochgurgl. Since 1988 it has been possible to travel to Hochgurgl by cable car, bridging the two ski areas. From Hochgurgl a chairlift brings you through three stages into a wonderful spot for year-round skiing. One can also enjoy health spas, hot and cold springs and saunas in many of the high-end hotels in Obergurgl. If you fancy some themed entertainment then check out the various concerts and folklore evenings, with talks and slide shows happening at the resorts' conference centre. There is also a library in the resort. Arguably the best restaurant in Obergurgl is Nederhutte which is run by the amiable Sissy and Rudi, who also run the Gamper Hotel. The service is extremely fast and efficient, with orders sometimes arriving within 2 minutes thanks to wireless pad technology. A favourite dish amongst tourists is the chicken wings and ribs. Other recommended dishes are sausages, soup and fried mushrooms. Although the prices can sometimes be 50% more than competitors, it really is worth it.

Show destinations

Aside from ski hire Obergurgl, there are many things to do in the neighborhood of Obergurgl. In the nearby museum of Ötzi Dorf one can find archaeological exhibits in an open-air environment illustrating life and industry in the Neolithic Age. The Wilderpsitzl Hotel, about 20 minutes away from the town, is a beautiful, historic establishment serving excellent gastronomy, with the pizza coming highly recommended. The river Gurgl, a fresh and vital waterway runs past the town and makes for excellent walking, cycling and hiking opportunities. Indeed any excursion beyond the village is worth making as you traverse stunning alpine scenery which will inspire you and remain in your memory forever.