Racing Bike Tour: Pass Thurn, Gerlos Pass

This 170 km tour is a particularly challenging racing bike tour and a high level of physical condition is required.  Its total of 2000 metres of altitude is an unusually large factor for such an excursion.  All in all however, a fantastic route around the Kitzbühel Alps for both increasing stamina and enjoyment!  Beginning at the Tourist Information Office in Westendorf, we cycle along the main road to Brixen im Thale and then on to Kirchberg. Just before the Kitzbbühel Lebenberg tunnel we branch off to the right and cycle through the centre of Kitzbühel’s Altstadt (old town).  The main road takes us on to Aurach and Jochberg.  Slowly the road begins a small incline and soon we find ourselves on the wide road up to the Pass Thurn (1,273 m AMSL).  On a slightly longer downhill route, we cycle down to Mittersill in the province of Salzburg. Remaining on the level main road, continue in the direction of Bramberg and Neukirchen.  Shortly after passing Wald im Pinzgau we arrive at the little village of Krimml at the foot of the Krimml waterfalls from where the winding serpentine road to the Gerlos Pass begins.  Once at 1,507m AMSL, the 25 km long descent begins to Zell am Ziller, passing the Gerlos reservoir enroute.  On the relatively quiet old main road, cycle mostly on the flat through the Ziller valley to Strass im Zillertal from where the route continues on the main road to Rattenberg.  Pass the old town of Rattenberg, Austria’s smallest and oldest town, and continue on this road to Wörgl.  From there we claim the last kilometres through the Brixen valley, eventually arriving back in Westendorf via the Windau valley.