653 Festkogl
Description
Challenging panorama bike route in the Ötztal Nature Park with winding descent back to the valley!
Map & elevation profile
The Tour
Challenging panorama bike route in the Ötztal Nature Park with winding descent back to the valley!
From Obergurgl you first follow the ascent to the Schönwies and Langtalereckhütte. At an altitude of 2,075 meters, the path branches left towards Festkogl. During the following 60 minutes, there is hardly a break on the evenly steep gravel road. Nevertheless, well-trained bikers will keep an eye on the steadily increasingly impressive panorama. From the mountain station of the cabin lift, it is necessary to gather strength for the final climb. A few hundred meters in altitude remain, then it’s done. At the end of the path, at 2,890 meters, the view of the surrounding three-thousand-meter peaks recompenses for all the effort. A last brake check – and off you go on the fast descent.
This route runs along developed paths and can easily be ridden with a motorized e-mountain bike or a classic mountain bike without motor.
Regions & Places
Mountain areas
Details
Characteristics
Way types
Safety guidelines
Sporty bike control and defensive riding behavior are required due to the partially steep ascents and more difficult downhill sections, and the demands on fitness and riding technique are rated as medium. 'At the forefront is sporty, active (pleasure) cycling
Additional information
More information about biking & cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Directions
The starting point of this challenging route is the town center of Obergurgl by the church. There you will find the Piccard Monument, which commemorates the emergency landing of the Swiss scientist in May 1931 on the Gurgler Ferner. You ride past the church on the left to the junction 'Guggelar'. There you take the road uphill to the first curve and turn left onto the wide gravel road. Follow this road uphill towards Schönwieshütte and Langtalereckhütte up to the middle station of the Hohe Mut gondola lift. After parking the bikes at the lift, a small detour with the gondola to the Hohe Mut Alm is recommended. Once at the top, you will be surprised by a magnificent panoramic view of countless three-thousand-meter peaks and more than a dozen glaciers. Truly the most beautiful lookout mountain in Tyrol. In the basement of the Hohe Mut Alm there is an exhibition by the Ötztal Nature Park on the topic 'Glaciers – Climate – High Alpine Research', which includes among other things a 300-year-old ibex horn and glacier ice to touch. The gondola takes you back to the middle station. From here, you continue by bike. To continue to Festkogl there are two variants:
Variant 1: Below the Nederhütte, which is closed in summer, the path leads uphill towards the north. In the middle of the Gurgler Heide you will find a beautiful view of the glacier village of Obergurgl and the increasingly impressive mountain world around the Diamond of the Alps.
Variant 2: The somewhat easier variant leads past the Nederhütte a little way into the Gaisbergtal. At the ramp, it is worth taking a short break to enjoy the panorama at the valley floor. This is one of the popular spots for nature photographers.
Further on towards the Plattachbahn, a little above the station, the paths from variant 1 and variant 2 meet again. From here you continue on the evenly steep gravel road to the destination, Festkogl. At just under 2,680 meters, an impressive panorama surrounded by countless glaciers rewards the strenuous ascent. After a short rest and final brake check, it's off on the fast descent back to Obergurgl.
Arrival
Public transit
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The final stop or exit point is the ÖTZTAL station. Afterwards, you can conveniently and quickly travel with 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
Starting point
Getting there
Car journey to the ÖTZTAL. Located in Tyrol, the Ötztal branches off to the south as the longest side valley of the Eastern Alps. Traveling by car takes visitors over the Inn valley to the valley entrance and further along the Ötztal. In addition to the toll motorway, country roads can also be used. With the route planner, your trip can be quickly and comfortably determined.
To the route planner: https://www.google.at/maps.
Parking
The following parking options are available in Gurgl:
Parking garage Dorfzentrum Obergurgl (down to the right in front of the church), paid | € 2.00 per hour
Parking garage at the village entrance – valley station Festkoglbahn, paid | € 6.00 per day
Parking lot Hochgurglbahn valley station, free – no overnight parking
Parking lot Top Mountain Crosspoint, free
Parking lot Hochgurgl, free (very small parking lot)
Current information
Partly sunny and warm
Equipment
Appropriate equipment such as breathable clothing and outdoor clothing adapted to the weather, bike helmet, gloves, sunglasses, and a GPS device or map material. For bike tours without dining options, sufficient provisions are necessary.