35
PDI
6.1 mi
DISTANCE
3,670 ft
GAINED
11.6 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
Page Contributor(s): Ard Oostra, Montreux, Switzerland
INTRO
Hochstein is a 6.1-mile climb from the village of Thal, just west of Lienz in Austria's East Tyrol (Osttirol), gaining 3,670 feet at a steep 11.6% average grade to a finish near 6,477 feet at the Hochsteinhutte. The climb starts almost hidden - a small road branches off the Pustertaler Bundesstrasse (B100) right where it crosses the Pustertal railway line - before working its way up through around 20 hairpin turns to the hamlet of Bannberg and on to the hut at the top.
What stands out is how little the grade ever lets up - roughly nine of the hairpins in the upper section open onto views over the Lienzer Dolomiten, and the steepest pitches touch 17%. Above Bannberg the road joins the private Hochstein toll road for its final push to the hut; cyclists are typically waved through the toll barrier free of charge, the same as on Austria's other alpine toll roads. The reward is one of the better panoramas in the Lienz valley, looking out over the Dolomites, the Gailtal Alps, and the Carnic Alps on a clear day.
Lienz sits at the base of an unusually dense cluster of hard climbs. Hochstein has a second, gentler-graded approach from Leisach (Hochstein Parkplatz) sharing this same summit, and Zettersfeld climbs a separate mountain across the valley if you want to compare the two. This Thal-Romerweg side is the steeper, more direct way up, currently ranked 181st-hardest in our world database.
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Hochstein from Thal-Romerweg averages 11.6% over 6.1 miles and rarely eases up - outside route data puts the steepest pitches at 17% through the upper hairpins above Bannberg. The lower kilometers climbing out of Thal are demanding but slightly more forgiving; the grade tightens noticeably once the road merges with the private toll section above Bannberg for the final run to the Hochsteinhutte at 6,477 feet.
Roadway: The road is paved the entire way. It starts as a narrow, easy-to-miss side road off the B100 in Thal, then climbs through roughly 20 hairpin turns - nine of them with open Dolomite views - up to Bannberg, where it joins the private Hochstein toll road for a narrower, well-maintained final section to the hut.
Traffic: Traffic is light throughout. The lower B100-adjacent section sees some local traffic, but the toll barrier above Bannberg filters out most casual car traffic on the upper mountain - cyclists are typically waved through for free, as is standard on Austria's alpine toll roads. The toll road is open seasonally, roughly May through October; outside that window the gate is closed.
Parking: Thal and nearby Lienz both have street parking near the base of the climb. Lienz, a few kilometers away, is the more practical option if you want restaurants and services before or after the ride - it's also the base for reaching the alternate Hochstein Parkplatz approach from Leisach and the Zettersfeld climb across the valley.
A standard road bike is fine - the road is paved the entire way, including the toll section above Bannberg. Sustained double-digit grades and pitches up to 17% make a wide-range cassette worth having. There's nothing in the way of services once you leave Thal, so carry water and food for the full climb, and pack a layer for the finish near 6,500 feet, which is noticeably cooler and windier than the valley floor.
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.
Lienz is the closest full-service base, with hotels, restaurants, and easy access to several other hard climbs in the East Tyrol/Lienz Dolomites area, including the alternate Hochstein approach from Leisach and Zettersfeld across the valley - see our Routes in the Area tool for the full list of what's climbable nearby. The toll road above Bannberg is open roughly May through October, so plan a visit inside that window. Innsbruck is the nearest major airport, a little over two hours away by car.
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