Road cycling route - Sölden - Vent & Rofen
Description
The route leads through the Venter Valley, a romantic side valley of the Ötztal, and can be excellently explored by road bike. The mountaineering village of Vent, the main town of the valley, is considered the cradle of the Alpine Club. The idyllic hamlet of Rofen with the Rofen farms, the highest year-round operated farms in Austria at 2014 m above sea level, alone make this easy to moderate route worthwhile.
Map & elevation profile
The Tour
The route leads through the Venter Valley, a romantic side valley of the Ötztal, and can be excellently explored by road bike. The mountaineering village of Vent, the main town of the valley, is considered the cradle of the Alpine Club. The idyllic hamlet of Rofen with the Rofen farms, the highest year-round operated farms in Austria at 2014 m above sea level, alone make this easy to moderate route worthwhile.
The Venter Valley begins in Zwieselstein. The valley and the nearby Similaun Glacier, which extends to 3000 m altitude, are known for the discovery of the famous glacier mummy "Ötzi".
From Zwieselstein there is little traffic, so you can really enjoy the climb on the very well-developed road to the mountaineering village of Vent.
With 874 meters of altitude gain well distributed but with short steep climbs, this pleasure route with numerous opportunities to stop is easily doable for good hobby athletes. It offers both scenic and historical highlights such as the hollow stone and the idyllic Rofen farms.
The glacier priest Franz Senn, co-founder of the German Alpine Club (1869) and curate in Vent, promoted mountaineering by creating paths and trails and building huts. He wanted to inspire people to climb mountains but also to improve the economic situation of the valley population.
At the end point of the route, the Rofen farms, there is another highlight of the Rofen valley. A 46 m long bridge spans the Rofner Gorge over the Rofenbach, which lies 31 m below. The bridge was built in 1967 by the Klotz brothers and renovated in 2006. It is located close to the Rofen farms and can also be easily accessed with cycling shoes by cyclists who are not afraid of heights.
Regions & Places
Mountain areas
Details
Characteristics
Way types
Safety guidelines
The traffic regulations (StVO) apply. Generally valid and usual behavior rules.
It should be noted that road cycling sports 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 caution reduce the risk of accidents and hazards.
Technical difficulty
Additional information
More info about biking & cycling in the Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Directions
Arrival
Public transit
Arrival by train
Travel comfortably and safely by train to the Ötztal station. Directly at the station square, a bus line starts towards Obergurgl. The bus ride to Sölden takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.
All important information on bus schedules, connections, and taxi companies can be found here.
Starting point
Getting there
WHERE IS SÖLDEN LOCATED?
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 - motorway A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
From the north:
- Bad Tölz - Achen Pass - B 181 - Jenbach - A 12 Innsbruck towards Bregenz - exit Ötztal - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
- Pfronten - Reutte - Fern Pass - Imst - A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (toll-free) - B186 (35 km) to Sölden
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Ehrwald - Lermoos - Fern Pass - Imst - A 12 towards Innsbruck - exit Ötztal after Roppener Tunnel or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (toll-free) - B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Mittenwald - Scharnitz - Seefeld in Tirol - Telfs - A 12 towards Bregenz - exit Ötztal or B 171 Tiroler Straße to Ötztal (toll-free) - B186 (35 km) to Sölden
From the east:
from Munich or Salzburg on the A 93 to Kufstein, then on the A 12 towards Bregenz, via Innsbruck to Ötztal exit, then further on B186 (35 km) to Sölden
From the south:
from Bolzano towards Brenner (toll road) - Brenner motorway via Schönberg toll station towards Innsbruck - from Innsbruck on A 12 towards Bregenz until approach to Ötztal - further on B 186 (35 km) to Sölden
Parking
At the valley station of the Gaislachkoglbahn and the Giggijochbahn, sufficient free parking spaces are available; free parking garages are also provided. Parking is free between 8:00 am and 7:00 pm.
Paid overnight parking of cars is possible in the Gaislachkogl parking garage:
more information about overnight parking
Current information
Warmer than recently
Good weather for outdoor activities
The tour is within these protected areas.
Equipment
Personal equipment must be safe, functional, and meet the respective technical standard. Every road cyclist is advised to inform themselves about the planned routes through specialist literature or on-site. Complete road cycling equipment is definitely recommended even for experienced riders!
Tip: For the partly sparsely lit tunnels, lighting is advisable.