Cycling Kaunertal Gletscher, Austria
Ride 38 kilometers gaining 1,955 meters to elevation 2,756 meters at 5% average grade.
This climb was introduced to us by Erwan Treguier who also contributed the photographs on this page.
This beautiful bike climb is in the Ötztal Alps of the Central Eastern Alps a stones throw from Austria’s southern border with Italy. Other top cycling climbs in the area are Rettenbahferner (World #23/Austria #3) and Timmelsjoch, AT. The ride is along Kaunertaler Gletscherstrabe (Kaunertal Glacier Road) which has been referred to as “one of the most beautiful high mountain roads in the Alps.” Wikipedia.
Many hairpins on the climb.
Toll road begins at kilometer 12.2 . . . but . . .
. . . no charge to cyclists as of August, 2019.
The climb begins in Tyrol municipality of Prutz (population 1,777, 2016) and follows a glacier valley to and finishes at the Kaunertal Glacier Ski Resort.
Photo: Kaunertal.com
For 5.7 kilometers from kilometer 20.5 to 26.2 we ride beside Gepatschspeicher Reservoir.
View from the southern tip of Gepatschspeicher Reservoir at kilometer 26.6
You’ll know who’s boss on this mountain . . .
Watch for marmots.
Kaunertal Glacier Road is the 5th highest paved road in the Alps. Dangerousroads.org
Warning: There are 2 tunnels on the ride of about 200 meters each - the tunnels are lit, but bring tail lights.
29 hairpins on this climb - this is the last marked kehre near the top of the climb.
Thank you to Erwan Treguier, Brittany, France for the photographs on this page.