DREAMLIKE TOUR FROM THE VALLEY TO THE GLACIER

This trail is demanding, sometimes exhausting and very popular amongst insiders. From there you enjoy a fantastic and spectacular panoramic view. The Ötztal mountain bike trail has a total length of 80km, starts at an altitude of 700m at the entrance of the valley and finishes in the foothills of the Gurgl Ferner glacier at an altitude of 2,400m. Depending on your strength and fitness you can drop in and out anywhere.

Rental mountain bikes are available in all villages (rates range from EUR 17-22 per day - depending on category). Not only Alpinists in top form love this dreamlike tour. Also bikers that ride for their pleasure cycle along the trail along the Ötztal Ache river and enjoy the roaring of the whitewater and the view of the snow-covered summits of the Ramolkogel mountain (3,549m), the Hangerer mountain (3,020m) and the glacier tongue of the Gurgl Ferner.

Explorers are delighted at the new impressions they get of the Ötztal valley along the trail: idyllic villages, jade-colored mountain lakes incl. Piburger See lake that is surrounded and protected by high fir trees, the hamlet of Farst near the village of Umhausen that is located at dizzying heights in the mountains, Tirol's highest waterfall - the Stuibenfall, or the quaint Rofenhöfe farms near Vent.

On slightly ascending trails across lush Alpine meadows, protected by shady forests, expert mountain bikers get started for the steep part of the trail. Get off your bike, stop and recharge - numerous huts, guesthouses and snack stations are located along the trail.

km	Description
0 km/690 m START	Behind Café-Restaurant s'Platzl in Ötztal Bahnhof. First the trail leads along a forest path, then it continues on asphalted tracks. You turn right into a gravel road (easily accessible). Turn left and follow the trail between Ötztaler Ache brook and Brunau. Alternative start: ÖMV gas station at Ötztaler Höhe area
5 km/720 m	Short asphalt track followed by gravel trail - bending to the left and the right from the brook to the car park next to the bridge in Sautens. In summer you can make a stopover at the swimming pool.
7 km/750 m	Rising trail to Sautens, turn left at the intersection and follow the gently rolling asphalt path to Oetz.
10 km/770 m	Bending to the right next to the sports field of Oetz, you continue cycling on the rising gravel trail (forest path).
12 km/870 m	The trail climbs to the left until you reach Kohlstatt area.
12,5 km/900 m	Downhill ride (there is a gate!) to Habichen, then along the federal road towards the second bend where you turn into the inclining forest trail which leads to Tumpen on the right shore of a small brooklet.
15 km/930 m	Back to the federal road and the bridge crossing Ötztaler Ache brook. A wonderful trail through meadows continues southwards to the climbing garden at Engelswand face. A slightly rising and descending asphalt trail takes you back to the federal road.
20 km/940 m	Crossing the federal road and turning right after 50m (towards the sports field) you reach the old wooden bridge. Turn left after the bridge in direction Leiersbach (hamlet), following the rushing and refreshing waters of Ötztaler Ache brook; then straight ahead across the forest.
25 km/1.020 m	Continue pedaling on the main road until you get to the small chapel (situated behind the second bridge) where you turn left into the rising, stony trail.
27 km/1.100 m	A more challenging downhill awaits you here (there is another gate!), leading to the chapel next to the ARA Längenfeld (hamlet of Au). Follow the federal road in direction Längenfeld for a while, then turn right into the side road to Winklen and cycle along the asphalt path from Unterried-Oberried (hamlets) to Längenfeld.
35 km/1.170 m	At the height of the Pestkapelle chapel you reach a trail across meadows leading to Ötztaler Ache brook. Cycling along the right shore you head in direction Huben (numerous pasture gates!).
40 km/1.190 m	Another short track on asphalt and on gravel before you reach Huben. Cross the second bridge and turn into the gently rolling forest trail to Bruggen. Cross the federal road and continue along the gravel path to Aschbach.
45 km/1.260 m	Steeply climbing trail from Aschbach to Brand (Adlersruhe).
47 km/1.360 m	Follow the forest trail in direction Sölden.
49 km/1.300 m	From the sewage plant an asphalt road leads to Sölden.
54 km/1.340 m	Cycle through Sölden on the federal road, past the village center, until you reach the gas station. Turn right into the inclining path to the lake and then further to the glacier road.
55 km/1.470 m	Continue cycling along the glacier road up to the turnoff to Gaislachalm on the left.
60 km/1.830 m	A broad and rising forest trail takes you to Gaislachalm and in direction Silbertal.
61,5 km/1.950 m	This part of the trail is very difficult and extremely steep (you may carry the bike).
64,5 km/1.570 m	Downhill to Freistabl area. At the height of Bodenegg you cross Venter Ache brook and continue along the forest trail up to the fist sharp bend of the federal road near Zwieselstein. Follow the asphalt road until getting to the turnoff to Sahnestüberl mountain inn.
70 km/1.650 m	From Sahnestüberl inn a quite stony and strenuous uphill climb leads to the last sharp bend before you reach Obergurgl (hamlet of Pill).
73 km/1.800 m	Cycle along the federal road to Obergurgl.
75 km/1.920 m	In Obergurgl you take the mountain road up to Gaisberg area, past Nederhütte mountain inn to Schönwieshütte inn - extremely steep trail!
77,5 km/2.260 m	At Schönwieskopf peak you cycle first downhill and then slightly uphill, before you reach the final section which is again extremely rising - with only one short descent.
80 km/2.430 m	Welcome to Karlsruher Hütte mountain hut.