648 Glacier Express
Description
The king stage of the bike routes in Sölden. The route leads up to 2,800 m into the eternal ice at the Rettenbach Glacier.
Map & elevation profile
The Tour
The king stage of the bike routes in Sölden. The route leads up to 2,800 m into the eternal ice at the Rettenbach Glacier.
Already the key data of the mountain bike tour – 32 kilometers (about 6.5 km above 2500 m) and 1600 altitude meters – make it clear that this is one of the most demanding challenges in the region. Facing the Freizeit Arena, you start to the right and follow the Ötztal Cycle Path 11 to the valley station of the Gaislachkogelbahn. Upon arrival at the Gaislachkogelbahn, turn right to reach the federal road B186, which you follow until the turn-off to the Glacier Road from the federal road. Follow this road with 2 hairpin bends to the intersection “Gaislach”. First follow the asphalt road and later the forest path towards “Gaislachalm”. From the Gaislachalm proceed towards “Heidealm” via “Mittelstation” and from there towards Glacier Road. Arriving at the toll station of the Glacier Road, follow it up to the highest point, the Rettenbach Glacier at 2,800 m altitude. At the same time, this is the highest road point in Europe!
The descent leads first on the same road back until after about 2.5 km (Silo Stand) you pedal up a road on the left, which leads to the Rotkogel Hut. You now follow the path, which is now gravel, downhill to the mountain station of the Giggijochbahn. To the left of the Giggijochbahn runs a very steep forest road down to Hochsölden; upon arrival in Hochsölden, follow the paved Hochsölderstraße, which then merges back into the Glacier Road. Upon reaching the federal road, turn left to return to the starting point at the Freizeit Arena.
Regions & Places
Mountain areas
Details
Characteristics
Way types
Additional information
You should not waste all your strength on the ascent, because on the descent, there are another 150 altitude meters to climb up to the Rotkogeljoch Hut. Only there does the final trail back to Sölden begin. The trail passes through the new Sölden ski area “Golden Gate” and is demanding in terms of riding technique! Extremely steep gravel sections require full concentration. From Hochsölden, it goes down the road to Sölden.
Alternatively, several singletrails lure for the descent to Sölden.
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More information about biking and cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Directions
Already the key data of the mountain bike tour – 32 kilometers (about 6.5 km above 2500 m) and 1600 altitude meters – make it clear that this is one of the most demanding challenges in the region. Facing the Freizeit Arena, you start to the right and follow the Ötztal Cycle Path 11 to the valley station of the Gaislachkogelbahn. Upon arrival at the Gaislachkogelbahn, turn right to reach the federal road B186, which you follow until the turn-off to the Glacier Road from the federal road. Follow this road with 2 hairpin bends to the intersection “Gaislach”. First follow the asphalt road and later the forest path towards “Gaislachalm”. From the Gaislachalm proceed towards “Heidealm” via “Mittelstation” and from there towards Glacier Road. Arriving at the toll station of the Glacier Road, follow it up to the highest point, the Rettenbach Glacier at 2,800 m altitude. At the same time, this is the highest road point in Europe!
The descent leads first on the same road back until after about 2.5 km (Silo Stand) you pedal up a road on the left, which leads to the Rotkogel Hut. You now follow the path, which is now gravel, downhill to the mountain station of the Giggijochbahn. To the left of the Giggijochbahn runs a very steep forest road down to Hochsölden; upon arrival in Hochsölden, follow the paved Hochsölderstraße, which then merges back into the Glacier Road. Upon reaching the federal road, turn left to return to the starting point at the Freizeit Arena.
Arrival
Public transit
Arrival by train
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. A regular bus departs directly from the station forecourt towards Obergurgl. The bus ride to Sölden takes about 1 - 1.5 hours.
All important information about bus schedules, connections, and taxi companies can be found here.
Starting point
Getting there
WHERE IS SÖLDEN?
Sölden is located in the west of Austria in the state of TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn Valley – the ÖTZTAL.
Arrival from the west:
from Vorarlberg to Tyrol via the Arlberg Pass or through the Arlberg Tunnel (S 16) - Landeck - motorway A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
from the north:
- Bad Tölz - Achen Pass - B 181 - Jenbach - A 12 Innsbruck direction Bregenz - exit Ötztal - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
- Pfronten - Reutte - Fern Pass - Imst - A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (vignette-free) - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Ehrwald - Lermoos - Fern Pass - Imst - A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (vignette-free) - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Mittenwald - Scharnitz - Seefeld in Tirol - Telfs - A 12 towards Bregenz - exit Ötztal or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (vignette-free) - B186 (35 km) to Sölden
from the east:
from Munich or Salzburg on the A 93 to Kufstein, then on the A 12 towards Bregenz, via Innsbruck to exit Ötztal, then continue on B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
from the south:
coming from Bolzano towards Brenner (toll road) - Brenner motorway via Schönberg toll station towards Innsbruck - from Innsbruck on A 12 towards Bregenz to Ötztal approach - continue on B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
Parking
At the valley station of the Gaislachkoglbahn and the Giggijochbahn there are sufficient parking spaces available, parking garages are also provided.
The parking spaces are subject to a fee.
Paid overnight parking of cars is possible in the Gaislachkogl parking garage:
more information about overnight parking
Please respect that wild camping is prohibited!