Lake Piburger See

Marked hiking trails from various starting points lead to Lake Piburger See. For example from the centre of Oetz, from the Habicher See car park, from Sautens and Haderlehn or from the parking area in Piburg. A loop walk around the lake is a highlight for all the family: While the narrow, partly rocky path with tree roots stirs up the spirit of adventure on the eastern shore, the broader trail along the western shore is even suitable for baby prams. Refreshingly cool, earthy forest air and exciting geological formations such as blocky scree slopes accompany you along the entire loop. It was not always as peaceful as today at scenic lake Piburger See with its crystal rocks. Originally, the lake basin was a steep valley parallel to Ötztal. After the last Ice Age a massive rockslide blocked its southeastern edge and covered the entire valley floor. This was the origin of the lake which has become a landmark of Oetz.

Lake Piburger See is the only natural swimming lake in Ötztal and one of the warmest bathing lakes in Tirol. Its soft water reaches a surface temperature of up to 25° Celsius in midsummer. The best place to dive and swim is the lakeside beach area on the southern shore, comprising also a restaurant and lakeside terrace, sunbathing area, barrier-free access to the lake and a huge floating raft. Rowing boats are available for rent. In order to preserve the rare flora and fauna of lake Piburger See, swimming is only allowed at the lakeside beach area in the south.

The natural fish population includes perch, chub, rud and roach. For fishing purposes also rainbow trout, brook and lake trout as well as arctic char and brook char are added. If you want to exercise patience in this fabulous spot, you can purchase a fishing permit at the administration office in Oetz T +43 (0) 5252 6218 or at the swimming and boat rental station T +43 (0) 650 4743 615 (tickets only at the weekend). Opening times: beginning of May - end of September
Only a maximum of 6 fishing permit cards are issued per day. Advance reservation is possible.

The awesome and wild beauty of Lower Ötztal already touched our ancestors. As early as 1929, lake Piburger See was declared a natural monument. It is the most popular figurehead of the Achstürze - Piburger See protected natural area which covers the culture landscape north of the hamlet of Piburg, the blocky forest around the lake, a part of Ötztaler Ache brook and lake Habicher See. The area is an important habitat for rare plants and animals. Since 2009, the landscape conservation area is part of the Ötztal Nature Park.

• One of Tirol's oldest nature preserves
• Altitude: 913 m
• Lake shore line: approx. 1.9 km
• Length: approx. 800 m
• Width: approx. 240 m
• Depth: approx. 25 m
• Barrier-free trail from Piburg to the lakeside swimming bath

More details at

www.piburgersee.tirol

www.naturpark-oetztal.at