Hochoetz Panorama Ride

This spectacular mountain bike ride is one of the classics at the start of the Ötztal Valley. It leads along both roads and trails, including a section of the legendary Ötztal Bike Marathon. There are cable cars available for those who want to shorten the ride. Highlights include fabulous views of the Stubai Alps from the highest point on the ride at the Neue Bielefelder Hütte. With 1,400 metres of climbing from start to finish and a high-speed descent, this is a route which demands both fitness and bike-handling skills.
Leaving from the car park in the centre of Oetz, take route 659 along the Kühtaier Straße road. In Ebenpuit, ride for 3.2 kilometres up to Ötzer Au at 1,000 metres above sea level. It is here that the main climb to Ochsengarten begins. Follow the road for 6 kilometres, past the Kühgartenwand. Immediately before you reach the bridge, just before entering Haiming, turn off right onto the steep gravel track. Ride up for a further 500 vertical metres via numerous switchback corners to the top station of the Acherkogelbahn cable car. Here you have the option of turning off left to the Balbachalm hut or, alternatively, continuing to the Bielefelder Hütte (just 600 metres from the top of the cable car). At 2,112 metres above sea level this hut marks the highest point on the ride. The descent is fast and technically challenging in places, leading down via the Acherbergalm hut and the settlements of Seite and Klingenburg back to Oetz.