Mountain bikes

Cycling galore for all you pedal-pushing enthusiasts.

The Ötz Valley is just the place for bikers. Ascents are partly rewarded by relaxing flatter stretches. But then you are beguiled by the fantastic nature, the distant views and the unbelievable silence. You can even reach Hochoetz with your mountain bike. You can cycle directly from Oetz up a forest trail to the panoramic restaurant. This will give you a real taster for what is awaiting you on the Alp. Lush trails take you past rocky gorges with fabulous panoramic views, and there are mule tracks and incomparable routes to huts and alps. Try the dizzy descents and work up a sweat as you toil uphill. If you prefer something gentler, take your bike and go up with the cable car to the bikers‘ paradise. Whatever you do, the fun of cycling awaits you either against the backdrop of the dreamy and most beautiful alps or down into the Neder Valley and on beyond Kühtai into the Stubai Valley. Or go over the Achberg down to Oetz. You’ll see: in the Hochoetz alpine region, the mountain biker’s puff gives out more quickly than the paths!

But before you set off, please bear the following points in mind:

Preparation:
What is your destination, how long will it take and how does the weather look? Take as your standard kit sufficient liquid, a change of clothing and the obligatory rainwear. A mobile phone has already been a great help to many.

Mountain bike rules:
1. I always cycle at a speed I can control and keep an eye open, especially on bends, as I need to watch out for obstacles (rocks, branches, temporarily stored wood, grazing cattle, cattle grids, gates, tractors and forest machinery, the vehicles of other authorised users)!

2 I stop when the way is barred for tree felling work and accept that that forest trails are primarily are workplaces for the forester!

3. I show consideration to walkers and pedestrians, and only overtake them at walking pace!

4. I show consideration for nature, do not leave the waymarked MTB route and do not cycle away from the public path!

5. I show consideration for the inhabitants of the forest and make no noise!

6. I take into account the degree of difficulty of the section concerned and make a careful evaluation of my experience and ability as a biker!

7. I close all the field gates!

8. I leave no litter!

9. I protect my head with a helmet and check my equipment for starting out on any bike tour (brakes, bell, lights)!

Mountain bike tours in the Hochoetz alpine region – a small selection and brief description:

Oetz-Ochsengarten-Hochoetz-Acherberg Alp and back. 1,200m difference in altitude. 25 km. 3 hours. Difficult. From Oetz (820 m) cycle along the road towards Kühtai until you arrive in the hamlet of Ochsengarten (1,507 m). Just before the bridge, turn right onto the forest trail. The forest trail takes you round several bends – it’s already worth the effort for the views alone – to Hochoetz (2,020 m.). There you are spoilt for choice – which alp you go to first, the Balbach Alp or the Kühtaile Alp. Then on to the mountain restaurant or perhaps as far as the Acherberg Alp. Please remember that you have to come back again. The wind can be chilly going downhill even in summer.

If you run into any kind of difficulty the Acherkogelbahn- our eight place cable car, will take you back to Oetz.

You can obtain further tours from the Oetz Tourist Board. You use them at your own risk!