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Road Bike recommended route

Road Cycling Tour – Sölden – Tiefenbach glacier

Road Bike · Gemeinde Sölden
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  • Photo: Dominic Kuen, Ötztal
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    The right ‘mountain bike training’: Not so many kilometres but a lot of altitude metres characterise this tour.
    difficult
    Distance 33.2 km
    3:27 h
    1,611 m
    1,611 m
    2,830 m
    1,348 m
    At the southern end of Sölden, the road to the two glacier ski areas Rettenbachferner (known from the start of the Alpine Ski World Cup season) and Tiefenbachferner as well as to Hochsölden branches off to the right. With an average gradient of 10.5%, the Ötztal Glacier Road is no easy task. This difficult stretch along the road, built in 1972, leads from Sölden through the spectacular Rettenbach Valley up to the glacier ski areas in the Ötztal. The wild beauty of the high alpine terrain is just as breathtaking as the increasingly thin mountain air. The Rettenbach glacier is reached after 13.6 kilometres.

    The connection through the Rosi-Mittermaier tunnel to the Tiefenbach glacier is the highest road tunnel in Europe. Lighting is advisable for the tunnel to the Tiefenbach Glacier. This may be incentive enough for record hunters to take the glacier road, which was given a wonderfully smooth tar surface in 2004, but the trip into the eternal ice is also worthwhile for those who are mainly interested in scenic beauty.

     

    In 2005 and 2007, the glacier road was conquered by the professional cyclists of the Tour of Germany. From 2015 to 2017, the Rettenbach Glacier was the destination of the royal stage of the Tour de Suisse.

     

    P.S.: "The red-white-red highlight at 2830 metres. Jan Ulrich described the climb as “animal cruelty” and Jens Voigt wanted to “call the mountain rescue service and issue an avalanche warning”. Any questions?"

    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
    2,830 m
    Lowest point
    1,348 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
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    Jul
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    Track types

    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Rettenbachalm
    Gletschertisch Bedienungsrestaurant mit Cafè-Lounge
    Tiefenbach Glacier restaurant

    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
    46.969482, 11.010069
    DMS
    46°58'10.1"N 11°00'36.2"E
    UTM
    32T 652901 5203733
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    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 - Sölden - Area 47
    • Rennradtour - Sölden - Hochsölden
    • Rennradtour - Sölden - Obergurgl
    • Rennradtour ins ewige Eis Sölden - Rettenbach Gletscher
    • Road cycling tour: Sölden - Ötztal Glacier Road up to Rettenbach Glacier
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    33.2 km
    Duration
    3:27 h
    Ascent
    1,611 m
    Descent
    1,611 m
    Highest point
    2,830 m
    Lowest point
    1,348 m
    Out and back Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Geological highlights

    Statistics

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    3 Waypoints
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    Elevation profile