In the Ötztal mountains the affluent Fender (Eduard Köck) farms his land with Wally (Heidemarie Hatheyer), his only daughter and heir. He hopes to marry her off to the rich, but dull Vinzenz (Leopold Esterle). Wally flees to a mountain hut where she leads a lonely and withdrawn life. She is in love with Josef (Sepp Rist), the hunter. When she rashly removes a young vulture from its nest and is attacked by the parent, Josef comes to her aid and afterwards gives her the nickname "Geierwally" (Geier = vulture). Josef is drawn to her, too, but he is unable to allay her suspicions that he loves the young Afra. Violently jealous, Wally proclaims that she will marry the man who kills Josef; Vinzenz hopes to earn this reward. Just in time, the true relationship between Josef and Afra becomes clear.