Road Bike

Road cycling route Small Ötztal - the 4 mountain village route

Ötztal
Top
Hard
Key facts
6:02 h Duration
80.03 km Length
1840 m Ascent
1840 m Descent
1,571 m Max. altitude
1,025 m Min. altitude
Stamina
Landscape
Quality of Experience
Technique
Best Season
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Description

On this "mountain route," you cycle consecutively through the mountain villages Niederthai, Köfels, Gries, and Burgstein.

Map & elevation profile

On this "mountain route," you cycle consecutively through the mountain villages Niederthai, Köfels, Gries, and Burgstein.
The Ötztal has long been known among cyclists. This route provides a good overview of the rear valley area from Umhausen to Sölden. Lush green meadows, the Stuibenfall waterfall, and a beautiful mountain backdrop accompany cyclists as they diligently collect elevation meters along the Ötztal, "The Highlight of Tyrol." The scenic attractions help forget many hardships, and the idyllic, dreamy mountain villages invite you to relax and linger. The mountain villages Niederthai/Umhausen and Gries/Längenfeld lie in the heart of the ÖTZTAL NATURE PARK and are ideal starting points for exploring the area.
Author's tip
  • The Stuibenfall near Umhausen is the highest waterfall in Tyrol with a drop of 159m. The Stuibenfall can be seen from the easily accessible panoramic viewing platform directly at the Niederthaier Landesstraße (6 km uphill).
  • The Burgstein sun plateau lies about 300 meters above Längenfeld, with a great view of the Längenfeld valley basin and the magnificent mountain backdrop of the Ötztal Alps.

Regions & Places

Austria (Country)
Tyrol (Province)
Bezirk Imst (District)
Ötztal (Tourism area)
Sölden (Tourism area)
Umhausen (Commune)
Gemeinde Sölden (Commune)
Längenfeld (Commune)

Mountain areas

Stubai Alps (Mountain area)
Alps (Mountain area)
Ötztal Alps (Mountain area)
Modified at 14.10.2025 · Created at 21.02.2018

Characteristics

Out and back
Scenic
Refreshment stops available
Cultural/historical interest
Geological highlights

Way types

Asphalt 38.73 km
Straße 41.3 km

Safety guidelines

The road traffic regulations (StVO) apply. Generally valid and usual rules of conduct.

It should be noted that road cycling carries an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Despite careful route planning, a basic risk always remains. Preparation through endurance training, appropriate practice and education, and personal prudence reduce the risk of accidents and dangers.

Technical difficulty

Very difficult - difficult over long distances. Previous technique training essential.

Additional information

More information about biking & cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken

First, you roll downhill towards Umhausen, then turn right to Niederthai. On the route lies the Ötzi Village as well as a viewpoint to the Stuibenfall. After returning from Niederthai the same way, you turn to Köfels on the other side of the valley between Umhausen and Längenfeld. The return path follows the same road back to the federal highway. Then you head again towards Sölden, detouring at the roundabout in Unterlängenfeld to Gries. Those who still want about 130 extra meters of elevation and 1.4 kilometers after the climb to Gries, continue to the edge of Gries and explore the settlement of Winnenbach. To reach the last mountain village of our route, go back along the Grieser Landesstraße into the valley. At the roundabout, take the third exit heading south and follow the federal highway to Runhof. To the mountain village Burgstein, turn left at Runhof. Once at the top, you have a beautiful view of the Längenfeld valley basin. Back in the valley, follow the federal highway to the outskirts of Sölden. Via the districts Kaisers and Rechenau, take side roads back to the Freizeit Arena.

Public transit

Arrival by train

Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. From the station forecourt, a line bus departs towards Obergurgl. The bus ride to Sölden takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

All important information on bus schedules, connections, and taxi companies can be found here.

Starting point

Freizeit Arena Sölden

Getting there

WHERE IS SÖLDEN?

Sölden is located in western Austria, in the federal 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 - Autobahn A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel - B 186 (35km) to Sölden

From the north:

- Bad Tölz - Achen Pass - B 181 - Jenbach - A 12 Innsbruck towards Bregenz - Exit Ötztal - B 186 (35km) 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 (35km) 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 (35km) 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) - B 186 (35km) to Sölden

From the east:

From Munich or Salzburg on A 93 to Kufstein, then on A 12 towards Bregenz, via Innsbruck to exit Ötztal, then continue on B 186 (35km) to Sölden

From the south:

Coming from Bolzano towards Brenner (toll road) - Brenner Autobahn via Schönberg toll station towards Innsbruck - from Innsbruck on A 12 towards Bregenz to the Ötztal exit - continue on B 186 (35km) to Sölden

Parking

At the valley stations of the Gaislachkoglbahn and the Giggijochbahn, ample free parking spaces are available, and free parking garages are also provided. Parking is free from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Paid overnight parking of cars is possible in the Gaislachkogl parking garage:

more information about overnight parking

Coordinates

11.010086, 46.969454
Plan arrival

Sunday, 14.06.
Often sunny and warm
Good weather for outdoor activities
Morning
14 °C
10%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
26 °C
30%
Rainfall risk
Monday, 15.06.
Not entirely stable—and a bit cooler
Morning
12 °C
40%
Rainfall risk
Afternoon
23 °C
30%
Rainfall risk

Your personal equipment must be safe and functional and meet the respective technical standard. Every road cyclist is advised to inform themselves about the planned routes in specialist literature or on-site. Complete road cycling equipment is absolutely recommended even for experienced riders!

Tip: For the partly poorly lit tunnels, lighting is recommended.