Road bike tours around Innsbruck

Road cycling around Innsbruck has been booming since the 2018 UCI Cycling World Championships - and rightly so, as there are several roads and beautiful landscapes to discover not far from the city. The road bike is the perfect companion to get to know the region in a sporty way. In this article, I'll introduce you to a few of my favorite road bike tours.

Kühtai

This Kühtai is actually known as a ski resort. But as soon as the temperatures around Innsbruck crack the 20 degree mark, it is also a popular racing bike destination. The Kühtai can be reached from Innsbruck (35 km, 1,500 m elevation gain), from Haiming (24 km, 1,500 m elevation gain) or from Ötztal, Ötz (18 km, 1,200 m elevation gain).

A special challenge is the "Kühtai Rodeo" and is particularly recommended for trained racing cyclists. The Kühtai Rodeo all three climbs are tackled in one day. In other words: Innsbruck - Kühtai - Haiming - Kühtai - Ötz - Kühtai - Innsbruck. A truly wild ride!

The route of Tour of the Alps already leads through the ski area at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. In addition, the Kühtaier Bergkaiser a renowned cycling race with 1,400 meters of altitude difference.

Ellbögen circuit

Another road bike tour goes from Innsbruck to Vill, Igls, in the direction of Ellbögen, Pfonds and on the main road, where the Ötztal Cycle Marathon also takes place, back to Innsbruck (42 km, 650 m elevation gain). The "old Roman road" at Wipptal leads up to the Brenner Pass.

Before you reach Matrei, the route is hilly. A little tip: perfect for a challenging training session or a few mountain sprints with friends. In Matrei, turn off onto the main road and head towards Unterberg. The Brenner main road is part of the Ötztaler Radmarathon route (albeit in the opposite direction). From Unterberg, the route is then flat until it climbs slightly uphill to Mutters. From the traffic circle, you can roll out to the Innsbruck district of Wilten and round off the day with an Aperol Spritz at Café Le Murge on Wiltener Platztl.

If you haven't had enough of the Ellbögen tour, you can ride to the Italian border, have an espresso at the Brenner Pass and then head back home (80 km, 1100 m elevation gain).

Axamer Lizum

The quick after-work tour up the mountain that always works (15 km, 1000 m elevation gain). It is particularly popular because there is relatively little traffic and in summer you can still enjoy the sun later in the day.

From the start to the end at Axamer Lizum it is steeply uphill. This tour is clearly not for a leisurely after-work excursion, but rather to let off the energy that has built up during the day. Although the mountain road only has three hairpin bends, it is quite long with a total elevation gain of over 700 meters. But once you've arrived, you can let it roll downhill almost all the way to Innsbruck.

This is a sporting event for everyone Liz600. A road bike mountain race in the Axamer Lizumorganized by KISS and suitable for anyone who wants to get a taste of racing.

Lüsens

The Lüsenstal valley with the striking Lüsener Fernerkogel is a true local recreation area. In winter you can find cross-country skiers and ski tourers here, in summer racing cyclists and hikers come to marvel at the beautiful natural landscape.

The route from Innsbruck is 31 km and 1,100 m in altitude and is worth every turn of the pedals. First flat to Kematen, then slightly uphill to Sellrain and from Gries really steep to Lüsens. At the height of summer, this tour is very strenuous, but at the end you are rewarded with an incredible view.

Mieminger Plateau

My favorite racing bike tour and perfect for after work. The Mieminger Plateau, also known as the sunniest plateau in Tyrol, can be ridden in both summer and winter. First in the direction of Telfs, then past Mötz, there on the cycle path in summer and along the main road to Mieming in winter.

From the traffic circle, the route is almost flat as far as Affenhausen. However, I recommend a stop at Cafe Maurer Haselwanter, where you can enjoy hearty cakes, the best coffee and delicious desserts.

On the way back, you can really let it rip in the direction of Telfs, and from there you can roll home comfortably to Innsbruck on the cycle path. (80 km, 550 m elevation gain)

All photos: © Carina Profunser