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Kuehtaisattel
The Kuehtaisattel is a large climb close to Innsbruck. It
starts in the lowest valley around, the Inntal, and reaches
above 2000 meters. Its parallel course to the Inn valley
means relatively little truck or non tourist traffic. But
the top is a heavily commercialized area with ski lifts and
hotels, and also water power generation facilities from two
reservoirs. All these things are also a cause for traffic.
Many cyclists use this road on weekends. Motorcycle traffic
is present, but its not quite the overwhelming mass as the
more touristy passes.
Approaches From West. Starting at the river Inn and its
magnificent bike path (Innradwanderweg), you make your way to
the town of Oetz. Despite of where some maps show the turnoff to
Kuhtaisattel, it is south (upvalley) of the town at a rondell.
(My Falk Altas shows the turnoff on the north side). The road
engages in several switchbacks and rises to great viewing point
of the Oetz and Inn valleys. During my summer ride over this
road, the clouds building over these valleys were the most
memorable view along the entire route. Then the road turns to
follow a mountain stream (Stockacher Bach) in the forest and the
views are lost. This climb continuous fairly steeply for quite a
while to a ski town. Exiting it, the road grade increases to 18
percent. Finally the treeline comes into sight, as well as a
damn of some sort. This turns out to be a water reservoir. Its
grassy shores are shared by free roaming cows, wandering
tourists, power lines, parking lots and power generation
equipment. Its one more short climb to the summit, where a whole
other village of multi star businesses lie in wait to do
business. Ski lifts abound, and looking up you can see a mighty
second damn, collecting more mountain water.
From East. (described downwards) The weather must be
harsher on this side. The trees start at a substantially lower
altitude. The road goes straight down the bottom of this stark
valley. There are hardly any curves and its not too steep to
just let the bike roll on its own. The road traverses two long
open gallery style tunnels. At the town of Sankt Sigmund in the
Sellraintal the ski lifts already seem a world away. This seems
like more like a hiking paradise, gathered around a picturesque
church. Even more promising are the views from the next town,
Marendabach, up the Luesenertal, at the end of which a
triangular horn waits for climbers. The road down the
Kuehtaisattel continues to descend, now through a narrow valley
with another short gallery tunnel, soom emerging in Kermaten,
near Zirl. You can pick up the bike path (Innradwanderweg) again
near the river. It is paved, except for a few, very short
sections. 
Tours
Dayrides. A loop ride with a few additional kms to
approach was: Roppen (near Oetz) - Oetz - Kuehtaisattel -
Kermaten - Zirl - returning to the starting point on the bike
path (Innradwanderweg) measured 62 miles with 5300ft of
climbing in 5:4 hours. (m3:9.7.5).
 pictures: pics 1 and 2 show the morning view up and down the
Oetz valley, promising afternoon storms; taken during the
initial climb on the western side. Pic 3 just east of the
summit. pic 4 shows the overdeveloped summit.
back to Cycling
Passes in Europe 
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