Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road
The gateway to the south
The highest pass crossing in the Eastern Alps at 2,474 m. Timmelsjoch has been an important connection between north and south since the Stone Age and guides drivers and motorcyclists from Obergurgl to the South Tyrolean Passeier Valley. The Timmelsjoch not only offers you a spectacular ride, but also 6 experience stations that bring you closer to the history and sights of the pass.
2,509 m
July 17, 1959
incline
Tariffs & Tolls
Since the High Alpine Road is a private road and snow clearance and maintenance are particularly complex, use by car, motorcycle, etc. is subject to a charge. For Timmelsjoch lovers it's advisable to get the season ticket and cross backwards and forwards as many times as you wish.
Price: from € 19,-
You can find all tariffs and detailed information about the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road at www.timmelsjoch.com.
The Timmelsjoch Experience
At the toll station in the Top Mountain Crosspoint, the first viewpoint sets the mood for the journey. You will find out about the landscape and its peculiarities such as the Obergurgl pine forests, glaciers and the history of the settlement.
The walk-in cube takes you into the adventurous tradition of smuggling across the Timmelsjoch. This attraction can be found at the intersection of the road from Zwieselstein to Moos in Passeier.
This former barracks from the 1930s has been converted into a museum. Previously unpublished images of road construction and authentic contemporary witness interviews are shown. The exhibition is a monument to the road construction workers.
The Pass Museum sums up the cross-border character of the Timmelsjoch experience. Inside, travelers can learn more about the history of the Timmelsjoch and the High Alpine Road.
A wonderful 180° panorama of the Texelgruppe Nature Park opens up beneath the Scheibkopf mountain. The oversized telescope focuses on the Granatkogel (3,304 m) and Hohen First (3,403 m), which protrude prominently from the glacier ice.
Having arrived in the south: on the rocky slope near Stuls, guests can enjoy the spectacular view of Moos and the rear Passeier Valley. Two garnets, modeled on the rock formations of the Passeier, serve as a showroom and viewing platform.
Live information
The history of the Timmelsjoch
Stone Age shepherds may have used the crossing. In the Middle Ages and early modern times, it was the Ötztal traders with Kraxen who brought their bartered goods over the pass to South Tyrol. After centuries in which the Timmelsjoch could only be crossed by arduous walks, construction work on a road connection began in autumn 1955. The road was completed within four years, with a construction period of 17 months. It was later connected to South Tyrol. After nine more years, the north-south connection was opened to traffic.
Opening hours
- Monday
- 07:00 - 20:00
- Tuesday
- 07:00 - 20:00
- Wednesday
- 07:00 - 20:00
- Thursday
- 07:00 - 20:00
- Friday
- 07:00 - 20:00
- Saturday
- 07:00 - 20:00
- Sunday
- 07:00 - 20:00
As of 01.11. winter tires are mandatory in Austria.
Valley mobility
With public transport, conveniently & sustainably through the entire valley.
Frequently asked questions
The high Alpine road is only passable in the summer months, usually between the end of May and late October. The reason for the long winter break is the inclement weather condition in the high mountains with snow depths of up to 10 meters. In addition to the winter break, the toll road is also closed in summer between 8.00 pm and 7.00 am. You can find the current opening times at www.timmelsjoch.com.
Cyclists can tackle the pass road during regular opening times by day. Using the road is at your own risk! However, well-functioning bicycle lights and complete cycling equipment are essential. The weather report and the route must be carefully checked already in advance. Cyclists can use the toll road free of charge on a separate passage at the toll station in Gurgl.
Special tip: A cycling tour shortly after the season opening in late May, when walls of snow up to 5 m high are still flanking the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, makes a very special experience!
2509 m high Timmelsjoch connects Ötztal (Tirol) with Passeier (South Tyrol) and separates the Ötztal Alps from the Stubai Alps. From the village of Gurgl, the last hamlet in Ötztal, the riding time to the highest point at Timmelsjoch Pass is around 30 minutes. The border between Italy and Austria runs right at the height of Timmelsjoch. Its crest is also part of the European watershed and the only passable route on the main Alpine ridge between Reschen Pass and Brenner Pass.
During opening times, the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road can be used on the Austrian side up to the top of the pass without restrictions (max. vehicle height: 4 meters). On the Italian side, special regulations apply due to the extremely steep and narrow road conditions and the bridge constructions (cars and motorcycles are allowed; mobile homes and trucks up to a total weight of 8 t, max. 2.55 m wide and max. 4 m high; buses up to max. 10 m total length and max. 8 t total weight).
The website www.timmelsjoch.com provides more details about winter closure or closing due to unforeseeable events.
The 60 km long journey from Obergurgl along the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Toll Road to the thermal town of Merano only takes about 1.5 hours - ideal for a wonderful day trip from the high mountains down to South Tyrol’s vineyards, where the climate already enchants with a bit of Mediterranean flair. Special tip: It is recommendable to plan some extra time for a visit to the Timmelsjoch Drive including 6 stations along the route, accessible free of charge.