High-spin levels of the deformed nucleus $^{169}\mathrm{Hf}$ were deduced from $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectroscopy, both in beam following the heavy-ion reaction $^{159}\mathrm{Tb}(^{14}\mathrm{N}, 4n\ensuremath{\gamma})^{169}\mathrm{Hf}$ and out of beam from $\ensuremath{\beta}$ decay of $^{169}\mathrm{Ta}$. The half-life of $^{169}\mathrm{Ta}$ was remeasured as 4.7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 0.7 m. Three rotational bands were assigned in $^{169}\mathrm{Hf}$: ${\frac{5}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}[523]$ ground band, up to spin $\frac{31}{2}$; ${\frac{5}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}[512]$, 59.1 keV bandhead, up to spin $\frac{15}{2}$; and ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}[642]$, ${\frac{7}{2}}^{+}$ bandhead at 28.80 keV, up to spin $\frac{41}{2}$ and tentatively up to spin $\frac{49}{2}$. The ${\frac{7}{2}}^{+}$ bandhead of the ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}[642]$ band is isomeric and decays with a half-life of ${82}_{\ensuremath{-}15}^{+40}$ ns to the ground state. The $g$ factors in the negative parity bands were deduced from the measured angular distributions and branching ratios and compared to the predictions of the Nilsson model. Both this test and the systematics of the moments of inertia confirm the proposed assignments. The ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}[642]$ band (originating in the ${i}_{\frac{13}{2}}$ shell-model state) is strongly perturbed. This band does not backbend although the $^{168}\mathrm{Hf}$ core does at a lower rotational angular momentum than attained in $^{169}\mathrm{Hf}$. The consequence of this observation for the explanation of backbending is discussed. The mixing amplitudes in the positive parity band are compared with the predictions of Pyatov's theory.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{159}\mathrm{Tb}(^{14}\mathrm{N}, 4n\ensuremath{\gamma})$, $E=56\ensuremath{-}92$ MeV; measured ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}(\ensuremath{\theta})$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ coin, ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}$ of 28.80 keV level. $^{169}\mathrm{Hf}$ deduced levels, $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, $K$, $g$, $\frac{{\ensuremath{\hbar}}^{2}}{2\mathcal{I}}$.RADIOACTIVITY $^{169}\mathrm{Ta}$; measured ${T}_{\frac{1}{2}}$, ${E}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, ${I}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$ $^{169}\mathrm{Hf}$ deduced levels, $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$, $K$.