Bicycle Touring
Two wheels for your love of traveling
The saddlebags are packed, maybe “just” the daypack, the main thing is that your bike gets a run. And where could you better go out for a ride than in the heart of Tirol, right through picture-book Ötztal? The 50 km long Ötztal Cycle Trail is directly connected to the popular Inn cycle path and is a real gem for bicycle touring. Find out for yourself!
Bicycle touring in Ötztal
Where the Ötztaler Ache flows into the Inn, the Ötztal Cycle Trail crosses the Inn cycle path, one of Europe’s longest and most popular cycle paths. At this point you can either continue your journey east or west along the Inn or you can choose the Ötztal option, which we strongly recommend if you want to experience something extraordinary in terms of landscape and culture.
Starting in Haiming at 670 m, the Ötztal Cycle Trail runs along the valley floor over several terraces up to Sölden at 1,377 m. At the same time, it takes you over 50 km through an incredible 5 climate zones – from the sunny, dry climate at the valley entrance via the wide open plains of Umhausen and Längenfeld to the end of the route in Sölden, surrounded by mighty 3,000 meter high peaks.
Of course, you can also explore the Ötztal Cycle Trail the other way, combining it with stages of the Inn cycle path or continuing your excursion via Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road to Italy. Your options for bicycle touring in Ötztal are actually limitless.
Mobility in the valley
Our valley-wide bus service takes you and your bike to 15 stops free of charge (with a valid bus ticket or Summer Card).
Frequently asked questions
For a cycling holiday or a bike tour lasting several days or even several weeks, you need an abundance of equipment and clothing. Even if the complete packing list strongly depends on the duration of the cycle tour and the climatic conditions, the following list provides a rough overview:
- Storage: backpack, additional saddlebags at the front and the back, bag for handlebar or bicycle frame
- Clothing: bicycle helmet, cycling clothes, rain jacket & pants, functional underwear, set of extra clothing, gloves, etc.
- Care & hygiene utensils
- Sun protection & first-aid kit
- Orientation and navigation devices
- Spare parts such as bicycle tubes or spokes
- Repair tools
Ultimately, you need the right destination for your cycling holiday. Tirol's Ötztal, the unrivaled "nation on two wheels", with its valley-wide Cycle Trail that connects directly to the Inn cycle path could be such a top spot. HERE you can find out more about cycling and bike trekking in Ötztal.
The destination for a cycling holiday together with your offspring should have the right bike infrastructure, safe cycle trails and a variety of worthwhile excursion sites along the route.
All this and a lot more is waiting for enthusiastic cycling families in Ötztal, the unparalleled "nation on two wheels" in Tirol's the longest side valley. In our varied Bike Spots, including Pump Tracks or MTB Playground, the little ones can playfully improve their cycling technique even on a balance bike. The valley-wide Cycle Trail is ideal for a cycling excursion with all the family, as it leads safely through the valley away from the main traffic route. It is worth stopping along the route as fabulous cycling destinations can be found on the 50 km long trail. HERE you will find out all about cycling with kids in Ötztal.
In general, the motto on a bike and cycle tour is: as much weight as necessary, as little as possible. A minimalist approach to packing also means that you move forward faster. You can save quite a bit of weight, especially when it comes to clothing. Apart from this rough and ready rule, an additional luggage weight of around 15 to 20 kilograms is a good guideline. Around 10 kilograms should be put on the rear pannier(s) and around 5 kilograms on the handlebar bag. Tirol's Ötztal, the unrivaled "nation on two wheels", is home to the valley-wide Cycle Trail that branches off from the Inn cycle path, a very popular destination among cyclists and trekking bikers. HERE you can find out everything about cycling holidays in Tirol's longest side valley.
Scenic Ötztal could be a worthwhile destination for cycling holidays in central Europe. The valley-wide Cycle Trail branches off from the popular Inn cycle path and leads safely across 5 valley terraces on approx. 50 kilometers into the breathtaking mountain world of the Ötztal Alps. It is really worth stopping every now and then as to the left and right of the cycle trail you will find exciting bike excursion destinations and practice areas such as Tirol's first E-bike Park. HERE you can find out all details about cycling holidays in Tirol's longest side valley.