Road cycling route - Oetz - Kühtai - Finstertaler Reservoir
Description
Map & elevation profile
The Tour
Anyone riding the Kühtai Saddle should not miss this highlight and the additional approx. 370 meters in elevation, as the road climbs beautifully up in many hairpin bends in the high alpine landscape.
The road to the Finstertaler reservoir is a small service road that branches off shortly below the Kühtai pass road on the west side at an altitude of about 1970 m heading south. Since it was built without touristic considerations, no value was placed on moderate slopes, and thus some of the steeper Alpine roads were created. The highlight is a 360-degree loop, half of which goes through a small tunnel.
With the classic western approach to Kühtai, this results in a long climb with 1550 meters of elevation gain, but it is only the steep Haimingerberg (north ascent) as the first uphill section that offers the full experience. The effort is then rewarded by the approximately 20 km long descent to the town of Oetz.
For those interested, here are some data about the Tiwag reservoir: The dam is 149 m high and has a crest length of about 650 m, holding 4.4 million cubic meters.
The northern ascent from Haiming over the Haiminger Saddle (1,690 meters) to Ochsengarten is a special variation for mountain specialists.
Regions & Places
Mountain areas
Details
Characteristics
Way types
Safety guidelines
The traffic regulations (StVO) apply. General valid and usual rules of conduct.
It should be noted that road cycling can involve an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Despite careful route planning, a basic risk always remains. Preparation through endurance sports, appropriate training and education as well as personal prudence reduce the risk of accidents and dangers.
Technical difficulty
Additional information
More information about biking & cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Directions
After starting at the central parking lot in Oetz (paid), you roll to the roundabout heading south. From here begins the approximately 10-kilometer climb over Oetzerau and Taxegg to Ochsengarten, which is largely shaded and provides peace and cooling on long, hot summer days. You ascend several switchbacks on the quiet L237 road, overcoming about 700 meters in elevation. Once at the top, the terrain flattens a bit before the next strenuous climb follows. Long and steep, passing through a gallery in sections, the road winds towards Kühtai. In the steepest part, a gradient of up to 18 percent must be overcome. With a good, rhythmic, and smooth pedal stroke, you climb the beautiful high alpine landscape. Passing the Längental reservoir and the Dortmund hut, shortly before the village center, you reach the junction to the Finstertaler reservoir. Turning right, the gradient here is also clearly in double digits. Sometimes the altimeter shows 16%. At the end, you pass through a short tunnel; after two more hairpin turns, you arrive at the beautifully located reservoir. Here you are already at 2326 meters. After a thorough inspection of the dam and enjoying the panoramic view of Kühtai and the reservoir, you return the same way.
Since a large part of the ascent is in the double-digit gradient range, the brakes should be checked again beforehand. Have fun on this really great route.
Arrival
Public transit
Arrival by train
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. A bus line starts directly at the station forecourt towards Obergurgl. The bus ride to Oetz takes about 15 minutes.
All important information about bus timetables, connections, and taxi companies can be found here.
Starting point
Getting there
WHERE IS OETZ?
Sölden is located in western Austria in the 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 Roppen tunnel - B 186 (5km) to Oetz.
From the north:
- Bad Tölz - Achen Pass - B 181 - Jenbach - A 12 Innsbruck direction Bregenz - exit Ötztal - B 186 (35km) to Sölden
- Pfronten - Reutte - Fern Pass - Imst - A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppen tunnel or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (vignette-free) - B 186 (5km) to Oetz.
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Ehrwald - Lermoos - Fern Pass - Imst - A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppen tunnel or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (vignette-free) - B 186 (5km) to Oetz.
- 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 (5km) to Oetz.
From the east:
From Munich or Salzburg on the A 93 to Kufstein, then on the A 12 towards Bregenz, via Innsbruck to exit Ötztal, then continue on B 186 (5km) to Oetz.
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 (5km) to Oetz.
Parking
Central parking lot Oetz (paid) or at the valley station of the Acherkogelbahn (paid)
Current information
Warmer than recently
Good weather for outdoor activities
Equipment
Personal equipment must be safe and serviceable 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 strongly recommended even for experienced riders!
Tip: A light is advisable for the partially poorly lit tunnels.