Great Rides in Tirol

Kühtai has already achieved legendary status in Tirol's local road bike scene and features in many races such as the Tour of Austria. Every year it is also the first of four major climbs which make up the Ötztal Bike Marathon. The ride from Innsbruck to the Ötztal Valley, up to Kühtai and back down through the Sellraintal Valley to Innsbruck is an absolute classic. With 110km of riding and 1,720 vertical metres of ascent it is a challenging route which rewards riders with magnificent views of the Ötztal and Stubai Alps. There are plenty of quaint villages along the way where riders can stop off for a meal.

Add to travel guide The network of roads near the German region of Chiemgau is ideal for road bike riding with plenty of climbs, descents and flat valley sections. All in all, cyclists taking on the Chiemgau Ride must complete 126.5 kilometres in Germany's alpine foothills. Starting in Kufstein, the route leads via Aschau in the German region of Chiemgau to Siegsdorf and Ruhpolding. Despite its length, the ride has only 1,350 vertical metres of relatively easy climbing and plenty of places to stop off en route for a drink and a meal. Moreover, riders can look forward to plenty of highlights such as the castles in Kufstein and Aschau and the pretty lakes between Ruhpolding and Niederndorf.

This ride takes its inspiration from the Dolomites Cycling Tour, one of the most popular mass-participation events in Tirol, and comprises 122 kilometres, 3,760 vertical metres and three mountain passes. The first, albeit small, challenge of the day is the short and easy climb onto the Gailbergsattel. This is followed by a descent to Kötschach before it is time to take on the toughest and most technical climb of the ride up onto the Kartitscher Sattel. Although the gradient is never extremely steep, it is hard for riders to find a rythmn. The long climb to Kartitsch concludes with a descent all the way down into the Pustertal Valley, where a final section with gradients of up to 17% awaits. All that then remains is the descent back down into the pretty town of Lienz at the foot of the Dolomites.

No respite, no recovery. The road up onto the Kitzbühel Horn mountain is steep; incredibly steep. No other route in Tirol is revered more by road bike enthusiasts. It traditionally features as the main highlight of the queen's stage of the Tour of Austria and demands not only excellent fitness but a healthy portion of determination. The reward at the top is a fantastic view of the surroundings and a big bowl of pasta at the mountain restaurant!

Add to travel guide Nestling between the foothills of the Kitzbühel Alps and the eastern slopes of the Rofan Mountains, the Alpbachtal Seenland region offers a wide variety of different landscapes ideal for road bike riding. One of the most popular rides in the region is the "Giro Region 31". Starting from Rattenberg, which will host the start of races during the UCI Road World Championships in 2018, this challenging triple loop with plenty of climbing takes riders along some of the quietest and prettiest roads in Tirol. Each of the three loops which make up this ride has its own cultural and historical highlights. The first leads through the village of Alpbach, which has been named Austria's most picturesque village on several occasions. The second loop takes riders along the rushing Brandenberger Ache river into the Brandenbergtal Valley, one of the prettiest alpine valleys in the eastern part of Tirol. Last but by no means least, the third and final loop takes riders past the Reintaler Seen lakes - an ideal place to stop for a well-deserved rest. All in all riders must overcome 117 kilometres and 2,500 vertical metres of climbing. However, there is the option of riding just one or two of the three loops.

Long, steep and with stunning views of the Tux Alps and Zillertal Alps – the Zillertal High Road is located on the west side of Tirol’s well-known Zillertal Valley and is one of the region's greatest challenges for road bike enthusiasts. The climbs are long and steep, but sensational views and vantage points are the reward for this strenuous tour. Riders start in Hippach and finish the climb next to the Jausenstation Melchboden hut serving food and drink. The many great vantage points en route make this ride a special, if exhausting, experience.

Add to travel guide Long, steep and with stunning views of the Tux Alps and Zillertal Alps – the Zillertal High Road is located on the west side of Tirol’s well-known Zillertal Valley and is one of the region's greatest challenges for road bike enthusiasts. The climbs are long and steep, but sensational views and vantage points are the reward for this strenuous tour. Riders start in Hippach and finish the climb next to the Jausenstation Melchboden hut serving food and drink. The many great vantage points en route make this ride a special, if exhausting, experience.

Add to travel guide Innsbruck has hosted the Olympic Games not once but twice, so it is little wonder that "Olympia" can be found almost everywhere in the regional capital of Tirol. This circular ride around Innsbruck nicknamed "Olympia Express" is long, challenging and full of climbing. It takes riders through all the locations which hosted Olympic disciplines in 1976. However, it has also been designed in such a way that riders can shorten the ride and head straight back to Innsbruck at several points along the route. Most of the roads are quiet and offer a fantastic riding experience with great views.

The Ötztal Glacier Road is around 13.5 kilometres long and has an average gradient of 10.5%. It leads to the highest point in Austria accessible by road bike, at 2,830 metres above sea level. Built in 1972, the road is a challenge for even the fittest of riders and leads from the village of Sölden through the spectacular Rettenbachtal Valley up to the glacier ski resorts at the end of the Ötztal Valley. After 14.5 kilometres and after passing through the Rosi-Mittermeier-Tunnel, the highest tunnel in the Alps, riders reach the Rettenbachferner and Tiefenbachferner glaciers.

Add to travel guide Taking cyclists from the valley floor all the way to the edge of the glacier, the Kaunertal Glacier Road is a real highlight for road bike riders and one of the most spectacular climbs in the Alps. From the village of Prutz it winds its way up 29 corners and 1,900 vertical metres to an altitude of 2,750m metres. It has featured several times in the Tour of Austria and hosts the annual "Kaunertaler Gletscherkaiser" race to determine who is fastest rider from bottom to top.

Cross-border adventures through lush green meadows past enchanting castles, turquoise lakes and medieval villages – the Bannwaldsee Ride is a must for roadbike enthusiasts in Tirol. Winding its way through the Allgäu and Ammergau Alps, it starts in Tannheim and takes riders to Weißenbach am Lech before leading over the German border to Füssen, around the Bannwaldsee lake and through the Engetal Valley back to the starting point. It comprises around 95 kilometres of riding and more than 1,090 vertical metres of climbing, making it ideal for intermediate riders wishing to explore the pretty alpine foothills. Highlights en route include the Disney-like castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, the ancient town of Füssen and the ruins of Falkenstein castle.