Rettenbachferner Bike Climb - PJAMM Cycling

17.4
FIETS
8.2 mi
DISTANCE
4,702 ft
GAINED
10.9 %
AVG. GRADE

FULL CLIMB STATS

INTRO

This is an amazing climb that has many features to it - it is not just another pretty face! First, the Rettenbachferner is a Top 50 World Climb and simply a brute! At just over eight miles, it averages 10.7% average grade and has a 2.5 mile stretch averaging just over 12%!  It really tests us from start to finish and is well worth the trip to Solden just for the challenge of the climb itself.  We finish at an international ski resort just down the hill from Rettenbach Glacier. 
10.9% average grade.  52% of the climb is at 10-15% grade and 13% is at 15-20%.  The steepest 500 meters is 14.9% and steepest kilometer 13.7%.

See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the “Profile Tool” button.
Roadway:  Excellent.  The first six kilometers is on a public road with no striping or shoulder.  The next seven kilometers is on a magnificent toll road similarly with no stripe or shoulder. 

Toll:  There is a toll booth at kilometer six (MapStreet View).  No toll for cyclists as of 2017.  

Traffic:  Mild.

Parking:  Just up the road onto on Gletscherstrabe, 1 kilometer from the start (MapStreet View). 
Provisions: At the top is the Rettenbach Market Restaurant which has many and excellent reviews (Google Map + Reviews).  Check to ensure it will be open when you arrive: info@riml.com +43 664 2466243.

Weather:  You travel to the second highest paved road in Europe.  Consult the PJAMM "Full Forecast" feature for the time you expect to arrive at the finish to assess what clothing to bring on your ride.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Also consider riding another extraordinary bike climb while you are in the area: Timmelsjoch.

Use the “Routes in Area” button on the menu bar to see other bike climbs in this area. 

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CLIMB SUMMARY

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Cycling Rettenbachferner, the highest paved road in Europe.

This is an amazing climb that has many features to it -- Rettenbachferner is not just another pretty face!

First, the Rettenbachferner is a Top 50 World Climb and simply a brute.  At just over eight miles it averages a 10.7% grade, and has a 2.5 mile stretch averaging just over 12%!  It really tests us from start to finish and is well worth the trip to Solden just for the challenge of the climb itself.

Any time you have to pay a toll on a narrow remote road, you have a sense you will likely get your money’s worth.

   

Car 18 EU, Motorcycle 5.5, bus 5.5, cyclists 00.00.  Smiley Face Images - Public Domain Pictures - Page 1   

Another good indicator that you are in for an excellent climb is if the climb starts below either a World Cup Ski Jump (e.g., Nebelhorn), or Rettenbachferner:

Kilometer signs along the entire route.

Free range for cows on this climb.

“MYTHIC WORLD CUP OPENING SÖLDEN Since the 2000/2001 season, the yearly held men’s and women’s Alpine Ski World Opening has been taking place on Sölden’s Rettenbach Glacier. This ultimate World Cup season kick-off attracts thousands of visitors and sports fans to the valley”  (Solden.com - Your Skiing Glacier).

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View from road just above World Cup finish and ½ mile from top of climb.

Steepest Gradients by Distance:

This climb is fairly well known in Europe, having been included multiple times in both the Deutschland Tour, and the Tour de Suisse.

And, if the challenge of the climb and unique opportunity to ride to a World Cup finish isn’t enough to prompt a go at this exceptional climb, it happens to be one of the highest road in all of Europe![1]  It’s a bucket list climb in our opinion.  

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[1] Pico de Veleta in Spain is unquestionably higher than Rettenbachferer, which is second by a good margin.

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