Toprecommended route
Bike Route Gletscher Express (648)
Ötztal Verified partner
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Höchster Straßenpunkt Europas - SöldenPhoto: Jakob Falkner, Ötztal
Explanation
Starting with a view of the Freizeit Arena, you head right and follow the Ötztal Cycle Path 11 to the valley station of the Gaislachkogelbahn. Upon reaching the Gaislachkogelbahn, turn right to join the B186 main road and follow it until the turnoff to the glacier road. After two switchbacks on the glacier road, you reach the "Gaislach" junction. From here, follow the asphalt road, which later transitions into a forest path leading to "Gaislachalm."
From Gaislachalm, continue towards "Heidealm" via "Mittelstation" and then head towards the glacier road. Upon reaching the toll station, follow the road to its highest point: the Rettenbach Glacier at 2,800 meters. This is also the highest paved road in Europe!
The descent initially follows the same road back until, after about 2.5 km (at the Silo Stand), you take a left onto a road leading up to the Rotkogelhütte. From there, follow the now gravel-covered road downhill to the mountain station of the Giggijochbahn. To the left of the Giggijochbahn, a steep forest road descends into Hochsölden. Once in Hochsölden, follow the paved Hochsölden road, which eventually reconnects with the glacier road. Upon reaching the main road, turn left to return to the starting point at the Freizeit Arena.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
HühnersteignRettenbachalm
Rettenbach Market Restaurant
Rotkogelhütte
Selfservice Restaurant Giggijoch
Sonnblick
Eugen's Obstlerhütte
Tips and suggestions
You should still have some energy left for the descent as there is another strenuous climb - 150 altitude meters - up to Rotkogeljoch Hütte where the downhill trail to Sölden starts. Biking through the wide open slopes of Sölden's "Golden Gate" ski area is a true pleasure but requires excellent biking techniques due to very steep and demanding gravel paths. From Hochsölden you take the asphalt road leading down to Sölden's village center.Alternatively, also other single trails lead down to Sölden.
Leiterberg Trail (672) - Traien Trail (677) - Harise Trail (670)
More details about biking & cycling in Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Arriving by Train
Enjoy a comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. The public bus lines to all holiday resorts in the valley (direction Obergurgl) leave directly in front of the train station. The bus ride to Sölden takes about 1 – 1.5 hours.
All important details on bus timetables, direct connections and taxi services are available here.
Directions
WHERE IS SÖLDEN?
Sölden is located in the West of Austria, more exactly in the Province of TIROL. It nestles amidst the ÖTZTAL Valley, a south-facing side valley of the Inntal.
Best travel route from the West:
From Vorarlberg to Tirol via Arlberg Pass or through Arlberg Tunnel (S 16 Federal Road) - direction Landeck - change to A 12 Autobahn (direction Innsbruck) - exit: Ötztal after driving through Roppener Tunnel - on B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
From the North:
- Bad Tölz - Achen Pass - B 181 Federal Road - Jenbach - A 12 Autobahn towards Innsbruck (direction Bregenz) - exit: Ötztal - B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
- Pfronten - Reutte - Fernpass - Imst - A 12 Autobahn (direction Innsbruck) - exit: Ötztal after driving through Roppener Tunnel or on B 171 Federal Road to Ötztal (no Vignette toll-sticker required!) - B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Ehrwald - Lermoos - Fernpass - Imst - A 12 Autobahn (direction Innsbruck) – exit: Ötztal after driving through Roppener Tunnel or on B 171 Federal Road to Ötztal (no Vignette toll-sticker required!) - B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
- Garmisch Partenkirchen - Mittenwald - Scharnitz - Seefeld - Telfs - A 12 Autobahn (direction Bregenz) - exit: Ötztal or on B 171 Federal Road to Ötztal (no Vignette toll-sticker required!) - B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
From the East:
Munich or Salzburg - A 93 Autobahn to Kufstein - A 12 Autobahn (direction Bregenz) via Innsbruck – exit: Ötztal - B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
From the South:
From Bozen/Bolzano towards Brenner Pass (toll road) – on Brenner Autobahn via Schönberg toll station (direction Innsbruck) to Innsbruck - then change to A 12 Autobahn (direction Bregenz) – exit: Ötztal - B 186 Federal Road (35 km) to Sölden
Parking
There are ample parking areas and covered parking garages at the base stations of Gaislachkogl and Giggijoch Mountain Gondolas. Parking is free of charge between 8.00 am and 7.00 pm!
Night-time parking of motor cars is subject to a charge and allowed only in the parking garage next to Gaislachkogl Mountain Gondola:
More details on night-time parking
Coordinates
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
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