The sight of the glacier-covered mountain giants of the Tuxer Hauptkamm inevitably raises the question of how to continue along this steep valley head by mountain bike. Supposedly there is even a largely rideable crossing to South Tyrol. Hard to imagine. On the other hand, the elevation profile of the tour to the Tuxer Joch does not show any pushing or carrying sections. There's only one thing to do: pack enough drinks and bars and give it a go!
The tour starts in Vorderlanersbach and follows the main road for the first seven kilometres to Hintertux. There is no other continuous option. However, the gradient is pleasant and this section should be completed in half an hour.
Directly at the entrance to Hintertux, the gravel road branches off to the Bichlalm. Up to the Sommerberg, the route winds its way uphill on well-maintained paths and without excessive gradients. The so-called glacier bus stops here and takes skiers up to the 3,288 metre high "Gefrorene Wand". As Hintertux is open 365 days a year, skiers can also be found here in summer.
From the Sommerberg, the ascent becomes more and more jagged. In the upper section, just before the Tuxer Joch Haus, the path becomes particularly mercilessly steep. If you descend here and push a little, you have nothing to be ashamed of. This section is really only ridden by cross-country pros.
From the Tuxer Joch Haus you have a marvellous view of the Tux Glacier opposite. The contrast couldn't be greater: While the bikers are relaxing at the Tuxer Joch Haus, soaked in sweat and enjoying the summer temperatures, skiers are carving their edges into the snow on the other side of the glacier.
Now the path climbs only slightly to the highest point of the tour, the Tuxer Joch. Even a mountain bike would continue from up here. On the most challenging single trail down into the Schmirrntal valley to South Tyrol. Via the Brenner Pass, the Schlüsseljoch and Pfitscherjoch, you can ride a fantastic mini-transalp here, crossing the main Alpine ridge twice in two days (see info section).
Everyone else can have a snack up here or roll back down to the serviced Tuxer Joch Haus. You can easily spend a few hours here with a view of the glacier. After all, it's now only downhill on the familiar route from the ascent. It takes no more than three quarters of an hour. And the question of whether you can really get to the Tuxer Joch by bike has already been answered.
INFO
Location
Most people are probably more familiar with the Tux Valley from skiing on the Hintertux Glacier. Skiing is possible there all year round. In summer it is quiet here, hikers and bikers are among themselves and marvel at the few who are out and about with ski equipment at 25 degrees.
Accommodation
Tux-Finkenberg Tourist Office, Lanersbach 472, 6293 Tux,
Tel. 0043/5287/8506, www.tux.at.
Food + drink
Shortly before the Tuxer Joch at the Tuxer Joch Haus. But it's even more beautiful a little further up: With your own snack and a view of the Tuxer Hauptkamm, you would love to put down roots here.
Map
Kompass map "Zillertaler Alpen - Tuxer Alpen", sheet 37, scale 1:50 000. Mayr hiking, cycling, MTB and touring map 1:35 000, sheet 33, Zillertal Alps. Bike map of Zillertal Tourismus GmbH 1:40 000, sheet 2 Zell-Gerlos and Hinteres Zillertal (available from May 2007). Digital: Austrian Fly Map 4.0 of the Federal Office of Metrology and Surveying 1:50 000, www.bev.gv.at.
Start location
By car to Mayrhofen and then uphill into the Tux Valley to Vorderlanersbach. There are parking spaces on the left-hand side of the road in the town centre. The tour starts directly in the town centre on the main road by the Spar supermarket.
