For climbing with children and as a family, it is very important that the climbing gardens are suitable for children. This means a short approach, no falling terrain at the base of the wall, little or no risk of falling rocks, easy, perfectly secured children's routes and, if possible, a few difficult routes for the climbing parents. Quite a lot of criteria to find the perfect climbing garden for the family. One region is perfect for a climbing trip or a climbing vacation as a family:
The Ötztal
A side valley of the Inn Valley, around 65 km long and easily accessible via the A12 Inn Valley highway. With around 750 climbing routes, the Ötztal is now one of the top climbing spots not only in Tyrol.
Climbing with children Ötz climbing garden
So let's go in search of the perfect family climbing garden and start right at the beginning of the valley in the Ötz climbing garden. Several easy children's routes have been created here in recent years. The sloping rock and perfect protection are perfect for the first steps on the rock. And so that mom and dad don't get bored either, they can try their hand at one of the most beautiful lines in the valley. Although the "twin crack" is only rated 7b+, it has already cost many a 10-point climber a few attempts.
Tumpen and Oberried climbing garden
If you were to search Wikipedia for the perfect area for climbing with children, you would inevitably find the Tumpen (Engelswand) and Oberried climbing gardens. A flat meadow at the foot of the wall where cows graze in summer, a dedicated picnic area, an approach that doesn't even deserve to be called an approach and even a playground. And to top it all off, climbing routes in the finest Ötztal granite.
Playground in the Oberried climbing garden | Climbers Paradise
What's more, the Tumpen climbing garden faces west and Oberried faces east. Depending on the time of year and your mood, you can seek out the sun or the shade.
There are plenty of worthwhile routes for adults and for climbing with children in both climbing gardens. However, as the Tumpen climbing garden is located at the foot of a large wall, the risk of falling rocks should not be completely ignored.
We particularly recommend the "Windwalker" 6b in Tumpen or the "Lausbubenverschneidung" 6a+ in Oberried.
As a reward, there's cake and ice cream in the famous Café Heiner confectionery right on the road in Ötz.
Water fun in Ötztal
There is also plenty to do in the Ötztal on break days.
You can relax your muscles from climbing in the Ötztal Therme in Längenfeld and recharge your batteries.
If you want more action, head to Area 47, Austria's largest outdoor leisure park, right at the entrance to the valley. From the high ropes course to water slides and wakeboarding, there's plenty to do.
Hiking in Ötztal
Those who prefer a more relaxed pace can hike to the Stuibenfall, the highest waterfall in Tyrol, in half an hour. From Umhausen, the starting point, you can also visit the Ötzi village.
A real insider tip is the hike to Lake Piburger See. The idyllically situated bathing lake is one of the warmest bodies of water in the country.
Arrival and accommodation:
Ötztal is very easy to reach by car via the A12 highway, taking the Ötztal exit. Most of the climbing gardens can also be reached by public transport. The best option is to take the train to "Ötztal Bahnhof" station and then take the bus into the valley. Information at www.oetztal.com.
There is plenty of accommodation in Ötztal to suit every budget. Information at Ötztal Tourismus: www.oetztal.com/unterkunft
