Back to overview
Road Bike recommended route

Road Cycling Tour - Sölden - Timmelsjoch

Road Bike · Ötztal
Logo Ötztal
Responsible for this content
 Ötztal Verified partner 
  • Serpentinen kurz vor der Passhöhe
    Serpentinen kurz vor der Passhöhe
    Photo: Dominic Kuen, Ötztal
Hint

Explanation

Selected alternatives for you
    The Timmelsjoch lies at an altitude of 2474 metres, surrounded by mighty three-thousand-metre peaks. The pass is one of the greatest challenges for racing cyclists in the Alps, it is part of the annual Ötztal Cycle Marathon and has already been a stage finish for the Giro d'Italia (1988) and the Tour Transalp. However, the great effort of the ascent is rewarded with the unreal serpentines cut into the steep slopes and the unforgettable glacier panorama of the Ötztal Alps.
    difficult
    Distance 47.1 km
    3:31 h
    1,537 m
    1,537 m
    2,476 m
    1,347 m
    The northern approach to the Timmelsjoch is quite varied - initially characterised by green vegetation, further up the pass conquerors can expect a barren stone landscape with scree, which is where the name Timmel comes from. Above the tree line and shortly after Hochgurgl is the toll station with Europe's highest motorbike museum at 2100 metres. The exhibits on display (around 230 motorbikes) are a must-see, even if you are not a motorcyclist yourself. The onward journey for cyclists is free of charge with a separate passage.

    This is followed by a short descent, which can be used for a break. Here you already have a view of the long ramp through the Timmelstal valley before the road climbs steeply again to the top of the pass at 2474 metres.

    There is plenty to discover along the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road. The highlights here are the ‘footbridge’ at the toll station, the “smuggler” in the Timmelstal valley and the ‘Pass Museum’ at the top of the pass. Here you can learn more about the history of the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road and the Ötztal Nature Park.

    Before you make your way back, the Timmelsjoch rest stop invites you to take a well-earned break. The distant views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers will make you forget all about your exertions.

    The rapid descent back to Sölden is pure adrenaline-fuelled fun. Only the 150 metre ascent is really mean. The Ötztal Cycle Marathon has often been decided up here or has made the descent to Sölden much more difficult for one or the other participant. From here, with a few exceptions, you reach Sölden without any effort.

    Author’s recommendation

    A trip to the Timmelsjoch shortly after the opening of the season at the end of May with snow walls up to five metres high is a special experience every year.
    Profile picture of Dominic Kuen
    Author
    Dominic Kuen
    Update: July 14, 2025
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,476 m
    Lowest point
    1,347 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 13.59%Road 86.40%
    Asphalt
    6.4 km
    Road
    40.7 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Restaurant Timmelsjoch
    Top Mountain Crosspoint

    Safety information

    The StVO applies. General valid and customary rules of behaviour.

    Please note that there may be an increased risk of accidents and injuries in road cycling. Despite careful tour planning, there is always a basic risk. Tour preparation through endurance sports, appropriate training and further education as well as personal prudence minimise the risk of accidents and risks.

    Tips and suggestions

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

    Public transport

    Anreise mit der Bahn 

    Reisen Sie mit der Bahn komfortabel und sicher zur Bahnhof-Station Ötztal. Direkt am Bahnhofsvorplatz startet ein Linienbus in Richtung Obergurgl. Die Busfahrt bis nach Sölden dauert ca. 1 - 1,5 Stunden.

    Alle wichtigen Informationen zu Busfahrplänen, Verbindungen und Taxiunternehmen finden Sie hier.

    Directions

    WO LIEGT SÖLDEN?

    Sölden liegt im Westen Österreichs im Bundesland TIROL, in einem südlichen Seitental des Inntales – dem ÖTZTAL.

    Anreise von Westen:

    von Vorarlberg nach Tirol über den Arlbergpass oder durch den Arlbergtunnel (S 16) - Landeck - Autobahn A 12 Richtung Innsbruck - Abfahrt Ötztal nach Roppener Tunnel - B 186 (35km) nach Sölden

    von Norden:

    - Bad Tölz - Achenpaß - B 181 - Jenbach - A 12 Innsbruck Richtung Bregenz - Abfahrt Ötztal - B 186 (35km) nach Sölden

    - Pfronten - Reutte - Fernpaß - Imst - A 12 Richtung Innsbruck - Abfahrt Ötztal nach Roppener Tunnel oder B 171 Tiroler Straße bis Ötztal (Vignettenfrei) - B 186 (35km) nach Sölden

    - Garmisch Partenkirchen - Ehrwald - Lermoss - Fernpaß - Imst - A 12 Richtung Innsbruck - Abfahrt Ötztal nach Roppener Tunnel oder B 171 Tiroler Straße bis Ötztal (Vignettenfrei) - B 186 (35km) nach Sölden

    - Garmisch Partenkirchen - Mittenwald - Scharnitz - Seefeld in Tirol - Telfs - A 12 Richtung Bregenz - Abfahrt Ötztal oder B 171 Tiroler Straße bis Ötztal (Vignettenfrei) - B186 (35km) nach Sölden

    von Osten:

    von München oder Salzburg auf der A 93 bis nach Kufstein, anschließend auf der A 12 Richtung Bregenz, über Innsbruck bis Abfahrt Ötztal, dann weiter auf B 186 (35km) bis nach Sölden

    von Süden:

    von Bozen kommend Richtung Brenner (Mautstraße) - Brenner Autobahn über Mautstelle Schönberg Richtung Innsbruck - von Innsbruck auf A 12 Richtung Bregenz bis Anfahrt Ötztal - weiter auf B 186 (35km) bis nach Sölden

    Parking

    An der Talstation der Gaislachkoglbahn und der Giggijochbahn sind ausreichend kostenfreie Parkplätze verfügbar, es stehen auch kostenlose Parkhäuser zur Verfügung. In der Zeit von 8.00 - 19.00 Uhr ist das Pakren kostenfrei.

    Kostenpflichtiges Abstellen des PKWs über Nacht  im Parkhaus Gaislachkogl möglich:

    mehr Informationen zum Parken über Nacht

    Coordinates

    DD
    46.969460, 11.010087
    DMS
    46°58'10.1"N 11°00'36.3"E
    UTM
    32T 652903 5203731
    w3w 
    ///bodes.chaps.fateful
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    Personal equipment must be safe and fit for purpose and meet the relevant technical standards. Every road cyclist is recommended to inform themselves about the planned tours in specialised literature or on site. Complete road bike equipment is highly recommended, even for experienced cyclists!

    Tip: Lighting is advisable for the tunnels, some of which are poorly lit.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Rennradtour - Innerötztaler Trainingsrunde
    • Road cycling tour: Sölden - Ötztal Glacier Road up to Rettenbach Glacier
    • Rennradtour kleiner Ötztaler - die 4 Bergdörfer Tour
    • Rennradtour ins ewige Eis Sölden - Rettenbach Gletscher
    • Rennradtour Timmelsjoch Hochalpenstraße - Sölden - Pfelders
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    47.1 km
    Duration
    3:31 h
    Ascent
    1,537 m
    Descent
    1,537 m
    Highest point
    2,476 m
    Lowest point
    1,347 m
    Out and back Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest

    Statistics

    • Content
    • Show images Hide images
    Features
    Maps and trails
    2 Waypoints
    Nothing selected - click and drag in the elevation profile to zoom
    Distance
    Duration
    Ascent
    Descent
    Elevation profile