Let's go

Three-thousand-meter experience on the Fundusfeiler

At the summit of the Fundusfeiler at 3079 meters on the Geigenkamm.

(Bild: Peter Freiberger)

After last week's Freihut, we climb a "stick" higher and set off on an e-bike and hike tour in Ötztal. We can stop off at the Frischmannhütte, which offers outstanding culinary delights.

More than 2000 meters in altitude separate the starting point from the summit - so we let ourselves be "chauffeured" up to the Frischmannhütte on the MTB route 656 with the electric bike like on an e-moped. The ride through the Fundus Valley is impressive.

The actual tour begins at the stage destination. Behind the hut, the marked route runs over alpine pastures into Funduskar and climbs gently. You then reach a small gorge with a stream, from here it becomes more challenging. Ropes, rope railings and footholds make the ascent easier in this steep passage (easy scrambling).

A mostly wide boulder ridge leads from the Feilerscharte to the summit.

(Bild: Peter Freiberger)

The small stream is crossed first, then the route leads directly upwards in the rocks - but without any problems thanks to the insurance. After this section, the route becomes easier and less steep.

Facts and figures

• Valley town: Umhausen
• Starting point: free parking at the start of the Leierstalweg trail (around 980 m); at the Schafwollzentrum in Umhausen, head east into the village and immediately right towards "Fundustal" or then towards "Frischmannhütte", down to the Ache and cross it
• Route: Road, alpine, in places secured climb or path
• Equipment: e-bike, sturdy shoes, poles
• Requirements: fitness, sure-footedness, no fear of heights, alpine experience
• Children: from 12 years
• Refreshments: Frischmannhütte (2192 m), www.frischmannhuette.at; open until September 15
• Public transport: Valley bus to Umhausen (bike transport possible)
• Elevation gain: around 1200 or 900 m (starting point - Frischmannhütte or Frischmannhütte - Fundusfeiler)
• Length: around 9 or 3.5 kilometers (starting point - Frischmannhütte or Frischmannhütte - Fundusfeiler)
• Time: around1 1/4 or around 2 1/2 hours (bike or hike); descent from the summit to the hut around 2 1/4 hours.

After a rocky passage (again secured by ropes), the route leads into a scree basin (possibly unproblematic snow remains). Now turn left and ascend without difficulty to the Feilerscharte. From there, the route leads along the mostly wide block ridge to the summit (rock slabs at the end).

The landscape in the Fundus Valley is breathtaking.

(Bild: Peter Freiberger)

At an altitude of 3079 meters, the view is tremendous: Dominant are the Ötztal Alps with the Wildspitze and the Stubai Alps with the Zuckerhütl, among others.

We later take the same route back down to the Frischmannhütte (be careful in the steep sections) and enjoy the great food there.

Finally, we take the same route down into the valley.