Climbing TIWAG, Austria by Bike - Cycling Data and Info

Austria TIWAG

35.3

PDI

7.3 mi

DISTANCE

4,014 ft

GAINED

ELEVATION GAINED

10.5 %

AVG. GRADE

AVG. GRADIENT

FULL CLIMB STATS

Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland

INTRO

TIWAG climbs 7.2 miles and 4,014 feet at a 10.5% average grade out of Silz, in Austria's Tirol region, finishing near 6,223 feet at a water treatment facility close to the treeline. The road - known locally in pieces as Oberer Mühlweg, Wolfsgruben, and the TIWAG-Werksstrasse - is a hydroelectric utility access road built and maintained by TIWAG (Tiroler Wasserkraft AG), Tirol's power company.

We climbed this one on a quiet weekday morning and had the road entirely to ourselves - no cars, no other cyclists, just forest, the occasional gap in the canopy with a view down the valley, and a grade that rarely eases up. It's paved for most of its length, with two short gravel stretches mixed in, and stays continuously steep rather than delivering big ramps broken up by flat recovery sections.

Worth knowing before you go: there's a sign at the base stating the road is prohibited to all traffic, cyclists included, since it technically belongs to TIWAG rather than the public road network. In practice, cyclists ride it regularly with no issue - we crossed paths with e-bikers on our own climb - but ride at your own discretion given that posted restriction. TIWAG has also been running a major, multi-year expansion of its Sellrain/Silz hydro scheme in the wider Kühtai area, so it's worth confirming locally that nothing has changed with access before you commit to the climb.

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

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This climb averages 10.5% over 7.2 miles, gaining 4,014 feet to a summit at 6,223 feet. It stays remarkably consistent throughout - the steepest full mile still averages 11.7%, the steepest quarter-mile 13.6%, and the steepest 100 yards 14.2% - with little of the up-and-down variation that lets you recover on many long climbs.

Roadway: Paved for most of its length across the Oberer Mühlweg, Wolfsgruben, and TIWAG-Werksstrasse sections, with two short gravel stretches mixed in along the way. Recent rider reports describe the pavement as reasonably good with occasional cracks and potholes - take care on the descent. The road ends at a TIWAG water treatment facility near the treeline.

Traffic: Very light to none. This is technically a private hydroelectric utility road - a sign at the base states it's prohibited to all traffic, cyclists included - but it's commonly ridden without issue; expect at most an occasional TIWAG service vehicle or fellow cyclist.

Parking: The south side of Silz village has public parking within easy reach of the climb's start, where Oberer Mühlweg leaves the village.

The grade rarely lets up - a compact setup (34-tooth chainring paired with a 30-32 tooth low cog) is a sensible baseline given how consistently steep this climb is, and the two short gravel stretches mean a bit of tire tread is welcome, though not strictly necessary. There are no shops or water sources anywhere on the route, so carry everything you'll need from Silz. A rear light is worth having for the shaded forest sections even in daytime.

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.

Silz sits in the Inntal, within easy reach of several other big Tirol climbs if you're basing a trip here - Kühtai, Hahntennjoch, and Timmelsjoch are all in the wider Imst district. Our Routes in the Area tool can show you what else is reachable from this climb's start before you plan the rest of your day.

Because this road is technically a restricted TIWAG works road rather than a public route, treat it with a bit more courtesy than a normal public climb - stay out of the way of any service vehicles you do encounter, and don't be surprised if access policy shifts given TIWAG's ongoing hydro construction work in the broader Kühtai area.