The most beautiful tours through the valley

We have the perfect cycling conditions at the valley entrance in Haiming. The mountains, in particular the majestic Tschirgant massif, protect us from the cold northern winds. The mild climate is just as perfect for fruit growing as for us cyclists. We have a really long season. My home routes can be found at Ötztaler Höhe and the area has now been expanded into a splendid Trail Center. You can start from the same point towards four trail loops through the forest, all of which are made for different ability levels.
 

Here in Haiming we are almost a self-sufficient village. There are 12 direct marketing farmers with farm shops selling fruit, vegetables, spirits, wine, honey and many more products directly. And in October, Tirol’s largest harvest market with suppliers from the whole province takes place here - comprising loads of fresh fruit, organic grain, sausage specialties and handcrafted items.

www.haiminger-markttage.at

For me, lake Piburger See is one of the most beautiful places in Ötztal. Even if it is only a little above Oetz, it lies in the forest hidden between the mountains. A really relaxing tour starts in Oetz and leads along the Ötztaler Ache mountain brook to Sautens, before the brief but challenging climb up to Seejöchl begins. I always leave the forest trail to Piburg, lock my bike and walk down to the lake. A beautiful path leads around the lake, directly along its banks. Everyone will find a favorite spot there. The rest of the bike tour back to Oetz is mostly downhill.
 

In the public swimming bath at lake Piburger See it's not only possible to dive into the water, but also to enjoy a good meal or rent a wooden rowing boat. Particularly at sunset it is incredibly gorgeous and peaceful there.

I exercise a lot on the road bike. In 2018 I won gold at the UCI Road Cycling World Championships in Innsbruck. For me this result was completely surprising, it was a very emotional experience. Only once before had I taken part in a road race competition. We have of course legendary pass roads up to the glaciers here in Ötztal, the Timmelsjoch or the Kühltai routes. A fantastic if less challenging route leads from Umhausen among other places to the vantage platform of Stuiben Falls. With a height of 159 meters it is the biggest waterfall in Tirol. From there a beautiful loop leads through green fields to the small mountain village of Niederthai and back again to Umhausen.
 

Martin Scheiber, one of our best trail runners in the valley, manages a shop called the "Ötztalerei" in Umhausen. In addition to a wide range of fine delights, he offers ice cream made from natural ingredients. Good traditional food can also be enjoyed at nearby Gasthof Andreas Hofer.

Thanks to the BIKE REPUBLIC SÖLDEN I have a dreamlike training area in the valley. My brother Lars and I are often there, together it is even more fun. Meanwhile there are 27 different downhill routes ranging from natural trails with roots and rocks to super smooth and flowing lines. I can either warm up leisurely or opt for technically more challenging lines - especially on the OLM VOLLE LINE dedicated to my personal motto (always at full speed). And I am really very proud of this line. However, it is by far the toughest route of the entire REPUBLIC. The Long Line Giggijoch is much more relaxing - but it is also much longer: From the start at 2666 m down to the valley, there are 1300 altitude meters on 16 kilometers in one go!
 

There is a hut almost along every trail – sometimes even two or three. And at the end of a day filled with cycling many stop by for a coffee or a tasty bowl at Bäckelar Wirt opposite the pump track.

After a day in the BIKE REPUBLIC, it is fantastic to ride along the Ötztal Cycle Trail through the whole valley back to Haiming. Riding out of the valley you travel from an altitude of 1390 meters down to 670 meters, therefore you basically roll back to Haiming. The cycle trail has been newly constructed and I have to say that even I discovered some new corners in the valley. Often you rides along the river shores, but once in a while you also change from one side of the valley to the other, for example if cycling towards the Engelswand rock face where the climbers tackle their routes. The forest section near Umhausen is really picturesque.
 

Of course, you can make stopovers wherever you want. We often stop at the Ötztal Bäck to get fresh bread or cake. I have also decided to stop by at the Ötztal Museums. They are very nicely located closer to Längenfeld and really describe the history of the valley in an understandable way. And since 2019 you can also admire an old bicycle which was freed from the glacier ice at 3000 meters above sea level. It's still a mystery how it ended there. Maybe it belonged to a soldier or smuggler - probably an exciting story not just for me.

… is a freelance journalist writing for several magazine like “BIKE” and “Bergwelten” (in German) – therefore she is a regular guest in Ötztal.

“Something I can tell you about Ötztal: it is 67 kilometers long, ascending from its entrance to the rear end with its majestic mountain peaks above 3000 meters altitude. And this valley will never stop surprising me with new and spectacular insights and outlooks.”