Geography Of Längenfeld
Längenfeld is a town and municipality in the Imst region of Tyrol, Austria. It is found in the long, narrow Ötztal valley, which stretches from the Inn River to the Ötztal Alps. In 2018, Längenfeld has 4,611 inhabitants and covers 195.8 km². Made up of twenty-one hamlets including Oberlängenfeld, Unterlängenfeld, Huben, Gries and Winklen, it is the largest and most populous town in the valley.
Location
Längenfeld lies at an altitude of 1,173 m in the middle of the Ötztal valley. It lies about 40 km southeast of the district capital Imst and about 14 km north of the famous ski resort Sölden. Längenfeld can be reached by car, train, bus or plane. About seventy kilometers away, Innsbruck Airport is the closest airport. From there, Längenfeld can be reached by train or bus. The A12 motorway and the B186 road also take you to Längenfeld.
Landscape
The large mountains of the Ötztal and Stubai Alps, which make up the Eastern Central Alps, surround Längenfeld. Reaching 3,768 m, the Wildspitze is the second highest mountain in Austria among all others. Unlike the broad, flat Längenfeld basin, the Ötztal valley is characterized by its steep and narrow shape. The Ötztal Ache river runs through the town; from the side valleys — the Sulztal, the Fischbach and the Lehnerbach — several streams and tributaries join it. From steep cliffs and glaciers to rich meadows and forests, Längenfeld presents a range of natural settings. Among the natural attractions of Längenfeld are the Stuibenfall waterfall, the highest waterfall in Tyrol, the charming mountain lake Winklbergsee and the ten energetic sites of the Längenfeld source of strength, natural places that invite tourists to relax, recharge their batteries and meditate.
Climate
Längenfeld’s continental climate requires mild summers and freezing winters. The average temperature in January is -3°C, then that of July is 18°C. About 900 mm of annual precipitation falls as snow in winter, most of which is snow. Längenfeld is one of the sunniest places in Tyrol, spending around 2,000 hours a year in the sun. Längenfeld’s altitude, its location in the interior region of the Alps, and the Foehn wind (a warm, dry breeze blowing from the south that provides clear, moderate weather) all help shape its climate.
Natural Features
Rich in natural resources, Längenfeld has thermal energy and water in particular. The Längenfeld thermal springs were already known in the 16th century and attracted many visitors in search of their healing properties. At around forty degrees Celsius, thermal water comes from deep layers of the ground. Calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulfur, among other minerals and trace elements present in thermal water, help the respiratory system, muscles, skin and joints. The main attraction is Längenfeld’s Aqua Dome, a spa resort with three open-air floating bowls filled with hot thermal water. Among the busiest spas in Austria, the Aqua Dome welcomes more than 400,000 visitors per year. The largest glacier in the Eastern Alps, the Ötztal Glacier, is another natural highlight of Längenfeld. With an area of approximately 65 km², the glacier is approximately 20 kilometers long. For the region, the glacier provides energy and water; it is also a popular site for mountaineering and skiing.
