Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch
Up Tyrol’s longest side valley past its highest waterfall to Sölden’s glacier road and the high pass on the Italian border.
- Distance
- 115 km (71 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 35 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Austria
- Updated
- July 29, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 115 km (71 mi) with 8 stops, from Innsbruck to Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road. About 1 h 35 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Austria
Route description
From Innsbruck, head west along the Inn valley and stop at Stams Abbey, whose twin towers are visible from the road. Turn south at Ötztal station onto the B186, which climbs through the valley for about 65 km to its end.
At Umhausen, walk up beside the Stuibenfall, Tyrol’s highest waterfall, on steel stairways and a suspension bridge. Längenfeld further up has a large thermal spa, a welcome stop after a day of walking.
Sölden is the main resort of the valley. The Ötztal Glacier Road, a toll road, climbs to the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers at about 2,800 m, among the highest roads in the Alps. Obergurgl, near the head of the valley, is one of Austria’s highest villages.
From Untergurgl the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road climbs to the 2,474 m pass on the Italian border, where a museum pavilion explains its history; from here you can continue down to Merano. The pass is usually open from late May or June to October, closed at night, and not open to trailers.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Innsbruck
Austria - 240 km
Stams Abbey
HistoryStams, AustriaA Cistercian abbey with twin onion-domed towers on the floor of the Inn valley, founded in 1273. The Baroque church with its Tree of Life altar is open to visitors.
- 321 km
Stuibenfall
NatureUmhausen, AustriaTyrol’s highest waterfall drops 159 m in the Ötztal, with steel stairways and a suspension bridge in the spray. Allow two hours from the car park in Umhausen.
- 49 km
Längenfeld
Austria - 515 km
Sölden
Austria - 69 km
Ötztal Glacier Road
ViewsSölden, AustriaA toll road climbing to about 2,800 m beside the Rettenbach and Tiefenbach glaciers, among the highest points in the Alps you can reach by car. Snow is possible even in summer.
- 713 km
Obergurgl
Austria - 88 km
Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road
ViewsObergurgl, AustriaA 2,474 m pass on the Austrian-Italian border, with small open-air museum pavilions along the way. The toll road closes in winter and at night, and trailers are banned.
Suggested stages and overnight stops
3 days, split by driving time. Campsites from OpenStreetMap: check opening dates before you go.
- Day 1: Innsbruck → Stams Abbey · 40 km · 0 h 33 minOvernight nearby, for example: Gerhardhof Camping (6 km); Alpencamp Marienberg (13 km).
- Day 2: Stams Abbey → Längenfeld · 29 km · 0 h 24 minOn the way: Stuibenfall.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Ötztal Längenfeld (< 1 km); Ötztal Camping Umhausen (7 km).
- Day 3: Längenfeld → Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road · 46 km · 0 h 38 minOn the way: Sölden, Ötztal Glacier Road, Obergurgl.Overnight nearby, for example: Camping Bergkristall (12 km); Camping Zögghof (15 km).
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Cold, short days in December–March. Mountain passes on this route are usually open June–October. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early.
Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons
Practical notes for the road
- Austria: Vignette needed for motorways. Vehicles over 3.5 t need a GO-Box for distance-based tolls. Motorway limit for cars: 130 km/h.
- Timmelsjoch (2,474 m). Usually open June–October; outside that window the road can be closed by snow. Alternative: Use the Brenner route.
Road rules and fees change. Check official sources before you travel.
FAQs
How long is Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch?
3-day road trip of about 115 km (71 mi) with 8 stops, from Innsbruck to Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road. About 1 h 35 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch?
We suggest 3 days: about 1 h 35 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch start and end?
It starts in Innsbruck and ends in Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road.
Which countries does Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch pass through?
Austria.
Where can you camp along Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch?
OpenStreetMap lists 38 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Schwimmbad-Camping Hall, Campingplatz Judenstein and Sonnencamping Stubai.
When is the best time for Ötztal and the Timmelsjoch?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Cold, short days in December–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
