Road cycling route - Sölden - Ötztal Glacier Road to Rettenbach Glacier
Description
Map & elevation profile
The Tour
At the southern edge of Sölden, the road to the two glacier ski areas at Rettenbach Glacier (known from the season opening of the Alpine Ski World Cup) and Tiefenbach Glacier branches off to the right, towards Hochsölden. With an average gradient of 10.5%, the Ötztal Glacier Road is not an easy task. This challenging route 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 as breathtaking as the thinning mountain air. The panoramic road to the stadium at Rettenbach Glacier demands the last reserves of strength. But only at the parking lot above Rettenbach Glacier at the steel sculpture is it done.
The ride to the Ötztal glacier ski area includes the superlative of the “highest road bike accessible point in the Alps.” For record chasers, this may already be incentive enough to take on the glacier road, newly surfaced with wonderfully smooth asphalt in 2004, but also for those mainly interested in scenic beauty, the excursion into the eternal ice is worthwhile.
In the years 2005 and 2007, the glacier road was conquered by the pro riders of the Deutschland Tour. From 2015 to 2017, Rettenbach Glacier was the destination of the queen stage of the Tour de Suisse.
P.S.: “The red-white-red highlight at 2830 meters, Jan Ulrich called the climb ‘animal cruelty’ and Jens Voigt wanted to call mountain rescue and ‘issue an avalanche warning’. Any questions?”
The hardy then take on Tiefenbach Glacier with an additional 3.4 km and 210 meters ascent. (Illumination is recommended for the tunnel to Tiefenbach Glacier).
The good road condition then tempts to a swift descent. The partly steep hairpin bends should not be underestimated.
Regions & Places
Mountain areas
Details
Characteristics
Way types
Safety guidelines
The StVO (road traffic regulations) applies. General valid and usual behavioral rules.
It should be noted that road cycling carries an increased risk of accidents and injuries. Despite careful route planning, there is always a basic risk. Preparations for the route through endurance sports, appropriate training and education as well as personal caution reduce the risk of accidents and dangers.
Technical difficulty
Additional information
More info about biking & cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Directions
Start at the Freizeit Arena in Sölden on the B 186 heading south. After a short warm-up through the town center of Sölden, the climb to the glacier ski area begins. From Sölden, take the right turn at the edge of town towards Rettenbach Glacier and Hochsölden. At the large parking lot just before the village of Innerwald, keep left. At about 1700 meters altitude, there is the last chance to settle for the “gentle” variant and follow the turn-off to Hochsölden, a mountain village at 2090 meters above sea level. At the junction, keep left towards the glacier and follow the glacier road. Switchback after switchback is conquered before the valley station of the cable car at Rettenbachferner is reached, then turn right to the “highest point reachable by road bike in the Alps.” The breathtaking view of the surrounding glacier world makes many hardships forgotten. The sun terrace of the glacier restaurant then invites you to a cozy rest. The fast descent back to Sölden along the same route becomes a pure adrenaline-filled pleasure.
For those who have not had enough after the climb to Rettenbach Glacier, turn left towards Tiefenbach Glacier and tackle another 3.4 km and 210 m ascent. (Illumination is recommended for the tunnel to Tiefenbach Glacier).
Arrival
Public transit
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal train station. The final stop or exit point is the ÖTZTAL station. Then, travel conveniently and quickly 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
Sölden is located in western Austria in the state of TIROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn Valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your car arrival, plan the optimal travel route from your home location with the route planner online: https://www.google.at/maps
Parking
The following parking options are available in Sölden:
- Postplatz parking lot
- Stiegele parking lot
- Tiered 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 for several days (e.g., hut tour):
- Postplatz, parking ticket available at the Sölden tourist information
- Gaislachkoglbahn parking garage, parking ticket either online or directly at the Gaislachkoglbahn ticket office
Equipment
Your personal equipment must be safe and functional and meet the respective technical standard. Every road cyclist is recommended to inform themselves about the planned routes in specialist literature or on site. Complete road bike equipment is absolutely recommended, even for experienced riders!
Tip: illumination is recommended for the partly poorly lit tunnels.