racing bike, Haiming, Ötztal, landscape, atmosphere, impressions, mountains, single person, summer racing bike, Haiming, Ötztal, landscape, atmosphere, impressions, mountains, single person, summer
Home / Events & leisure tips / Events / Ötztal Cycle Marathon / Race Track / Training tracks / Kühtei Rodeo

Kühtai Rodeo

Ready for the wild ride...

If you really want to put your stamina, level of training and mental strength to the test, there is only one option - apart from the tracks in Ötztal: the Kühtai Rodeo. On this challenging tour both humans and (wheeled) machines are put to the acid test. And those who master all these exhausting ups and downs are ready for the next challenge: the Ötztaler Cycle Marathon!

Route information

120 kilometers and 4300 altitude meters - the ultimate Kühtai Rodeo is considered a special test for highly ambitious mountain road cyclists. This truly "wild ride" comprises three ascents to Kühtai and three downhills. And there are also three different starting points: once you start in Kematen, once in Oetz and once in Haiming. The Kühtai Rodeo makes a truly hard challenge for sports aficionados but also promises a great sense of achievement to all those who conquer the mountain.

It is a considerable sporty challenge to reach Kühtai on a road bicycle from three different starting points - Kematen, Haiming and Oetz. No matter which starting point, Kühtai is one of the toughest mountain routes that can be conquered in the greater Innsbruck area. Starting from Kematen, the difference in altitude is 1393 meters on 23.93 kilometers. But that's still not enough for many ambitious mountain road cyclists: more and more sportspeople want to take part in the Kühtai Rodeo - where they reach Kühtai from all three starting points within a single day: 122 kilometers covering 4250 altitude meters. If you can do this, you are a real "Kühtai Cowboy" or "Kühtai Cowgirl". Those who have already reached Kühtai from the village of Kematen, follow the Rodeo route leading over "Sattele" area down to Haiming and from there uphill again to "Sattele". The second downhill stretch takes you to Oetz, then you return to Kühtai. The end of the challenge is signed by a speedy downhill track back to Kematen.

More details
Back to overview
Road Bike recommended route

Road cycling tour: Oetz - Kühtai - Sattele Loop

Road Bike · Ötztal
Logo Ötztal
Responsible for this content
 Ötztal Verified partner 
  • Kühtai
    Kühtai
    Photo: Dominic Kuen, Ötztal
Scenic Kühtai (2020 m) is no longer a blank slate in the road cycling scene. As a fixed program item of countless bicycle racers - such as the Tour of Austria - it is also the first major hurdle of the legendary, yearly held Ötztaler Cycle Marathon.
difficult
Distance 45.2 km
3:35 h
1,489 m
1,489 m
2,020 m
680 m
The Kühtai Saddle is the northernmost Alpine crossing besides Hahntennjoch. Compared to most other Alpine passes, the Kühtai Saddle can be bypassed quite easily, in this case through Inntal valley. Thanks to low traffic the Kühtai Saddle is very popular with road cyclists and sporty touring cyclists. At the heart of the Stubai Alps you cross Nedertal valley from the west, then the road continues into Sellraintal and towards Kematen. In clear skies you can even admire the peaks of Pirchkogel (2828 m) and Gaißkogel (2820 m). The Kühtai Saddle can be considered a small and therefore easy pass, but if you take a closer look at the facts and figures you will be surprised: High average gradients on the western side peppered with steep passages make this inconspicuous pass one of the most demanding Alpine crossings. You should pay attention to cows and their "remains" which are plentiful here - true to its name (cows = Kühe). 

Author’s recommendation

The northern ascent from Haiming via Haiminger Sattele (1690 m) to Ochsengarten is a special variant for mountain specialists.

What's more, a short detour to Finstertal water reservoir is an absolute must before you reach the highest point of the tour. Some 370 altitude meters await you on a 3.5 kilometer long stretch.

Profile picture of Dominic Kuen
Author
Dominic Kuen
Update: August 13, 2024
Difficulty
difficult
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
2,020 m
Lowest point
680 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 0.11%Road 99.88%
Asphalt
0.1 km
Road
45.2 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Kühtaier Dorfstadl

Safety information

National road traffic regulations apply. Generally valid and common rules of conduct.

Please note that there is an increased risk of accidents and injuries in road cycling sports. Despite accurate tour planning, there is always a basic risk. Appropriate tour preparation including endurance sports, suitable training programs and further education as well as personal circumspection considerably reduce accidents and risks.

Tips and suggestions

More details about biking & cycling in Ötztal: https://www.oetztal.com/biken 

Start

ÖTZTAL TOURISMUS - Information Oetz
Coordinates:
DD
47.203324, 10.896818
DMS
47°12'12.0"N 10°53'48.5"E
UTM
32T 643656 5229504
w3w 
///emailing.mouthpiece.rubble

Destination

ÖTZTAL TOURISMUS - Information Oetz

Turn-by-turn directions

After starting at the tourist information in Oetz you roll southwards to the roundabout. From here, the approximately 10 kilometer long climb begins via the hamlets of Ötzerau and Taxegg to Ochsengarten. This stretch is largely in the shade and promises tranquility and cool temperatures on hot summer days. Via the little used L237 federal road you wind your way uphill in several serpentines, conquering around 700 altitude meters. Once at the top, it gets a little flatter before the next strenuous climb follows.

The long and steep road, partly leading through a gallery, takes you towards Kühtai. In the steepest section, you have to overcome a gradient of up to 18 percent. Rhythmic and steady pedaling is absolutely required here on your climb through beautiful high Alpine landscapes. Passing the Längental water reservoir and Dortmunder Hütte, you finally reach the highest point of the tour (2020 m) at the edge of Kühtai. Known as a fairly quiet village in summer, Kühtai offers some places to stop for refreshments before you race down the same route towards Ochsengarten and the valley floor. If you make a right turn, you follow the short ascent (2.9 km and 150 altitude meters) to Haiminger Sattele (1690 m). Here you can also turn-off towards Gasthof Marlstein in the hamlet of the same name, a perfect rest stop place. On the downhill section to Haiming towards Inntal valley you should not underestimate the sometimes steep straights and hairpin bends. Once at the valley bottom, you turn left (westwards) and shortly after Ötztal-Bahnhof you leave the B171 federal road to the left and follow the B186 into the awe-inspiring Ötztal valley. On the wide, heavily travelled Ötztal Federal Road the route climbs slightly up to the starting point in Oetz.

Public transport

Enjoy a both comfortable and relaxing train ride to the train station in Ötztal Bahnhof. You get off the train in ÖTZTAL Bahnhof where you change to a public bus or local taxi. The current bus schedule can be found at: http://fahrplan.vvt.at

Directions

Oetz is located in the western part of Austria in the state TYROL, in a southern side valley of the Inn valley - the ÖTZTAL. For your arrival by car, you can plan the best route from your home town with the route planner online at https://www.google.at/maps

Parking

The following parking facilities are available in Oetz / Piburg:
  • Parking Acherkogelbahn - free for guests of the gondola lift, camping prohibited
  • Parking lot Raftingeinsteinstelle (at the end of Oetz on the right side) - free, but limited parking (alternatively Acherkogelbahn 150 m), camping prohibited
  • Oetz parking area (subject to a charge)
  • Parking at night during several days' tours: Central parking place Oetz, The ticket is available at the information office Oetz.
  • Parking Piburg at the Hotel Seerose, subject to charges.

Coordinates

DD
47.203324, 10.896818
DMS
47°12'12.0"N 10°53'48.5"E
UTM
32T 643656 5229504
w3w 
///emailing.mouthpiece.rubble
Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

Equipment

The personal cycling equipment must be safe, ready for use and correspond to the respective technical standard. Additionally, road cyclists are strongly recommended to find out more about the planned tours in specialist literature or on site. Complete road cycling equipment is recommended even for very experienced cyclists!

Special tip: Bicycle lighting is advisable for the partially sparsely illuminated tunnels.

Similar routes nearby

  • Rennradtour - Oetz - Kühtai - Finstertaler Stausee
  • Rennradtour - Oetz - Haimingerberg Runde
  • Rennradtour- Umhausen - rund um Niederthai
  • Rennradtour - Längenfeld - Gries/Winnebach
  • Rennradtour - Längenfelder Runde
 These suggestions were generated by our system
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
45.2 km
Duration
3:35 h
Ascent
1,489 m
Descent
1,489 m
Highest point
2,020 m
Lowest point
680 m
Out and back Scenic Refreshment stops available

Statistics

  • Content
  • Show images Hide images
Features
Maps and trails
  • 1 Waypoints
  • 1 Waypoints
  • Route
  • Gradient
Push the arrows to change the view
 km Distance
: h Duration
 m Ascent
 m Descent
 m Highest point
 m Lowest point