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Road cycling tour Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road - Sölden - St. Leonhard
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Timmelsjoch HochalpenstraßePhoto: Dominic Kuen, Ötztal
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is undoubtedly one of the best known and most popular mountain passes in Europe. On this route, you experience the breathtaking panoramic road in both directions.
The ascent to the Timmelsjoch is about equally steep from both sides but significantly longer from the Italian side. Almost 1,800 meters of altitude must be overcome by cyclists over a distance of nearly 30 km from St. Leonhard to the pass. Especially the final climb of almost 800 meters in serpentine bends is a challenge for professionals and amateurs alike. Every year, the Ötztaler Road Marathon takes place over the Timmelsjoch Pass Road.
The road cycling tour over the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road - road crossing 2,474 m, Austria's highest road border crossing, to St. Leonhard is a very special experience. The spectacular high alpine road leads through the Ötztal glacier landscape into the vineyards of the South Tyrolean Passeier valley and further down 2,000 meters to Merano. It is a special feeling of freedom that this ride over the Timmelsjoch conveys. The quiet north-south connection away from the main traffic routes, also known as the “secret gap” in the Alps, opens up the world of the high mountains for travelers. Along the road, futuristic architectural sculptures appear again and again, with five stations that provide information about nature, history, culture, society, and the economy of the region. At the toll station in Hochgurgl, there is also the Motorcycle Museum, Europe's highest located motorcycle museum, with around 230 exhibits from more than 100 manufacturers.
Author’s recommendation
A ride to the Timmelsjoch shortly after the season opening at the end of May with up to five meter high snow walls is a special experience every year.
Ötztal Verified partner
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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TIPP Alpenpässe Tirol ➤Timmelsjoch von Nordtirol nach SüdtirolSafety information
The road traffic regulations apply. General valid and usual rules of conduct.
Note that road cycling can involve an increased risk of accidents and injury. Despite careful route planning, a basic risk always remains. Preparation through endurance training, appropriate practice, education, and personal prudence reduces the accident risk and dangers.
Safe mountain pass conquest by bike
The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is a popular sporty challenge for many cycling fans. Due to the popularity of the mountain pass as a destination and border crossing from the Ötztal to the Passeier valley, there is especially high traffic on weekends.
Tips for the optimal Timmelsjoch cycling experience:
- Those with free choice in planning their bike tour should tackle the pass on Saturdays and Sundays outside of 10 am to 4 pm. Advantage: less traffic, more nature enjoyment, and focus on your own sporting experience.
- For your own safety, handle the bike with maximum caution and ride predictably, both as an individual cyclist and in a group.
- Whether in the lowlands or on a high alpine road: the maxim of mutual consideration and personal responsibility applies to all road users.
Tips and suggestions
More information about biking & cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Public transport
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The final stop or exit point is the ÖTZTAL station. Afterwards, you can travel comfortably and quickly by public transport or local taxi companies through the entire valley to your desired destination! The current bus schedule is available at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at
Directions
Sölden is located in the west of Austria in the federal state TIROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, plan the optimal travel route from your home location directly online using the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps
Parking
The following parking options are available in Sölden:
- Postplatz parking lot
- Stiegele parking lot
- Terraced parking lot
- Giggijochbahn + underground garage
- Gaislachkoglbahn + underground garage
- Hochsölden parking lot
- Hochsölden parking garage, 1st parking deck
All parking lots are free during the day.
For parking over several days (e.g. hut route):
- Postplatz, parking ticket available at the Sölden information office
- Gaislachkoglbahn parking garage, parking ticket either online or directly at the Gaislachkoglbahn ticket office
Coordinates
Equipment
Personal equipment must be safe, usable, and correspond to the respective technical standard. Every road cyclist is recommended to inform themselves about the planned routes in specialist literature or on-site. Complete road cycling equipment is highly recommended even for experienced riders!
Tip: Lighting is advisable for the partly sparsely lit tunnels.
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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