Road Bike recommended route

Road cycling tour: Oetz - Kühtai - Sattele Loop

Road Bike · Ötztal
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  • Kühtai
    Kühtai
    Photo: Dominic Kuen, Ötztal
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    Scenic Kühtai (2020 m) is no longer a blank slate in the road cycling scene. As a fixed program item of countless bicycle racers - such as the Tour of Austria - it is also the first major hurdle of the legendary, yearly held Ötztaler Cycle Marathon.
    difficult
    Distance 45.2 km
    3:35 h
    1,489 m
    1,489 m
    2,020 m
    680 m
    The Kühtai Saddle is the northernmost Alpine crossing besides Hahntennjoch. Compared to most other Alpine passes, the Kühtai Saddle can be bypassed quite easily, in this case through Inntal valley. Thanks to low traffic the Kühtai Saddle is very popular with road cyclists and sporty touring cyclists. At the heart of the Stubai Alps you cross Nedertal valley from the west, then the road continues into Sellraintal and towards Kematen. In clear skies you can even admire the peaks of Pirchkogel (2828 m) and Gaißkogel (2820 m). The Kühtai Saddle can be considered a small and therefore easy pass, but if you take a closer look at the facts and figures you will be surprised: High average gradients on the western side peppered with steep passages make this inconspicuous pass one of the most demanding Alpine crossings. You should pay attention to cows and their "remains" which are plentiful here - true to its name (cows = Kühe). 

    Author’s recommendation

    The northern ascent from Haiming via Haiminger Sattele (1690 m) to Ochsengarten is a special variant for mountain specialists.

    What's more, a short detour to Finstertal water reservoir is an absolute must before you reach the highest point of the tour. Some 370 altitude meters await you on a 3.5 kilometer long stretch.

    Profile picture of Dominic Kuen
    Author
    Dominic Kuen
    Update: August 13, 2024
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    2,020 m
    Lowest point
    680 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
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    Track types

    Asphalt 0.11%Road 99.88%
    Asphalt
    0.1 km
    Road
    45.2 km
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Kühtaier Dorfstadl

    Safety information

    National road traffic regulations apply. Generally valid and common rules of conduct.

    Please note that there is an increased risk of accidents and injuries in road cycling sports. Despite accurate tour planning, there is always a basic risk. Appropriate tour preparation including endurance sports, suitable training programs and further education as well as personal circumspection considerably reduce accidents and risks.

    Tips and suggestions

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

    Public transport

    Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

    Directions

    Oetz is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

    Parking

    The following parking facilities are available in Oetz / Piburg:
    • Parking Acherkogelbahn - free for guests of the gondola lift, camping prohibited
    • Parking lot Raftingeinsteinstelle (at the end of Oetz on the right side) - free, but limited parking (alternatively Acherkogelbahn 150 m), camping prohibited
    • Oetz parking area (subject to a charge)
    • Parking at night during several days' tours: Central parking place Oetz, The ticket is available at the information office Oetz.
    • Parking Piburg at the Hotel Seerose, subject to charges.

    Coordinates

    DD
    47.203324, 10.896818
    DMS
    47°12'12.0"N 10°53'48.5"E
    UTM
    32T 643656 5229504
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    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Equipment

    The personal cycling equipment must be safe, ready for use and correspond to the respective technical standard. Additionally, road cyclists are strongly recommended to find out more about the planned tours in specialist literature or on site. Complete road cycling equipment is recommended even for very experienced cyclists!

    Special tip: Bicycle lighting is advisable for the partially sparsely illuminated tunnels.

    Similar routes nearby

    • Rennradtour - Oetz - Kühtai - Finstertaler Stausee
    • Rennradtour - Oetz - Haimingerberg Runde
    • Rennradtour- Umhausen - rund um Niederthai
    • Rennradtour - Längenfeld - Gries/Winnebach
    • Rennradtour - Längenfelder Runde
     These suggestions were generated by our system
    Difficulty
    difficult
    Overall difficulty
    difficult

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    45.2 km
    Duration
    3:35 h
    Ascent
    1,489 m
    Descent
    1,489 m
    Highest point
    2,020 m
    Lowest point
    680 m
    Out and back Scenic Refreshment stops available

    Statistics

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    Elevation profile