Five Fingers road cycling tour from Innsbruck

Five Fingers heading south

The southernmost road bike tour in Tyrol starts directly in Innsbruck. From here it leads on towards Brenner, to Italy, and yet you remain in the middle of the Tyrolean mountains. It is particularly recommended in autumn, as there is little traffic on the roads and nature reflects the most beautiful autumn colors.

The name "Five Fingers" is no coincidence: there are exactly five valleys between Innsbruck and the Brenner Pass - the Navistal, Gschnitztal, Schmirntal, Valsertal and Obernbergtal. Together they form the Five Fingers. The special thing about the tour: if you want, you can ride all five valleys in one day. But you can just as easily explore a different valley every weekend.

One-day tour details: approx. 150 km and 2,800 meters in altitude
Here you can find the GPX file for the one-day tour.

The route

Obernbergtal

The start and finish point is Innsbruck. From there, the route goes beyond Bergisel, continuing along the old Brenner main road, past the imposing Europabrücke bridge and into the Wipptal valley.

Depending on how you want to ride the tour, it is advisable to ride the rearmost valley (Obernbergtal) or the foremost valley (Navistal) first and then ride through the valleys one after the other. I decided to ride the Obernbergtal first. The 7.2 kilometers and 270 vertical meters are an absolute delight - the peaks rise up to the left and right as you cycle alongside the Obernberger Seebach.

Vals Valley

The Valsertal is by far the quietest valley on the entire tour. The route measures around eight kilometers and 230 meters in altitude - steep at the beginning, then increasingly gentle - and leads in a south-easterly direction. The valley is also known as the starting point for tours to the famous Olperer (3,476 m). An impressive view opens up at the end of the valley: the glaciers to the left and another valley to the right. It's hard to believe that just behind these mountains is Hintertux.

Schmirntal

From Valsertal, you do not return to the main road to head for the next valley, but turn off into Schmirntal beforehand. At eleven kilometers and 520 meters in altitude, it is the second longest of all five valleys. The road is very steep at the beginning, but as soon as the first part is over, it becomes increasingly hilly until the end of the valley.

A little tip: From here there is a wonderful mountain bike tour over the Tuxer Joch into the Zillertal. A "must-do" MTB tour for experienced mountain bikers and beginners alike.

Gschnitz Valley

After a short break, we continue into the Gschnitztal valley, which is well known among hikers and mountaineers. Many start their tours up the Habicht here, past the Innsbrucker Hütte - where the best Kaiserschmarrn in Tyrol is said to be served.

Like the other valleys, the Gschnitztal begins with a steep passage that then gradually flattens out. At 14.1 kilometers and 215 vertical meters, it is the longest of the five valleys. Towards the end, the terrain becomes slightly hilly and the view is always directed towards the mighty peaks. High mountains tower to the left and right - an exceptionally beautiful valley.

Navistal

The last valley of the one-day tour is Navistal. The route is just under ten kilometers long and steeply uphill with an elevation gain of around 470 meters before gradually flattening out. At the end of the valley, you have the option of riding a small loop so that you don't have to cycle back the same way. The descent is a dream - and the end of the tour is already within reach.

Finish in the direction of Innsbruck

With a view of the opposite Nordkettte (and mostly with a tailwind), you then ride from Wipptal back towards Innsbruck. Here you can really push the pedals once more and pick up speed.

The Five Fingers Tour in pictures

The Five Fingers road bike tour is particularly beautiful in autumn because the roads in the valleys are quieter and the landscape is at its most beautiful. It is challenging if you do it in one day, but can also be ridden as a leisure tour over several days.

Here you can find my Strava route (note: start from Axams instead of Innsbruck).