Penken: Mayrhofen's Home Mountain Above the Zillertal

Penken climbs 16.0 km (9.9 mi) from 645 m (2,117 ft) to 2,081 m (6,827 ft), gaining 1,447 m (4,746 ft) at an average grade of 9.0%.

There is very little rest on the way up. The steepest 100 yards (91 m) average 14.6%, the steepest half-kilometer 14.1%, the steepest kilometer 13.4%, and the steepest 5 km still average 11.5%. Even the steepest 10 km holds 9.6%.

The hardest stretch runs from roughly 7 km to 12 km (4.3 to 7.5 mi), which gains 546 m (1,791 ft) at 10.7%. After the gondola's upper station the closing 3.8 km (2.4 mi) to the Penkenjoch relax to about 7.8% on a gravel road, climbing about 296 m (971 ft).

Provisions: The mountain huts and restaurants near the ridge, including the Penkenjochhaus, Penkentenne and Christa's Schialm, make it easy to travel light on food. Carry your own water and snacks for the lower part of the climb.

Gear: A gravel or mountain bike with wide tires and low gearing is the right choice, since grades reach the mid-teens. The ridge is roughly 1,436 m (4,711 ft) above the start, so typically about 9 C (16 F) cooler, and a wind layer is worth packing. The gravel descent is fast, so wear a helmet and check your brakes before heading down.

Mayrhofen is the practical base for this climb and for the valley's other long rides. The 3S Penkenbahn carries riders and bikes from the village to about 1,790 m (5,873 ft) in roughly eight minutes, a handy option for a lazy descent or a bad-weather bailout. One rule to know: bikes are not allowed on the Ahornbahn or on Mount Ahorn.

Our Passo di Vizze (West) page covers the long valley ride south from the edge of Mayrhofen to the Schlegeis reservoir. Farther down the valley, the villages of Hippach, Zell am Ziller and Aschau each have steep climbs of their own. See other climbs nearby, or plan a multi-climb day, with our Routes in the Area tool.