Ötztaler Radmarathon.
The Ötztaler Radmarathon runs as a closed loop out of Sölden, crossing four passes and climbing more than 7,600 metres over 227 kilometres. The stepped ascent to Kühtai in the opening 50 kilometres is only the prologue – ascent and descent balance out almost exactly across the loop, and it's two hard, late-arriving passes that decide the day. Also known as Oetztaler Radmarathon, Ötztal Radmarathon and Ötztaler.
Ötztaler Radmarathon 2027: Course, Elevation & Route Profile
The course starts and finishes in Sölden, looping through the Inn valley, the Wipptal and the Passeiertal. Out of the start, the road rises in four staggered ramps – the longest just over four kilometres – up to Kühtai by kilometre 47; with roughly a quarter of the route climbing and close to 30 percent descending, the profile is restless from the first hour.
A long, flat drag over the Brenner follows before kilometre 140 brings the Jaufenpass: a 15-kilometre uninterrupted climb, the first genuinely hard test of the day. After the descent into the Passeiertal, the closing climb to the Timmelsjoch begins around kilometre 185 – a gentler lower section first, then steep closing ramps up past 2,400 metres, just short of the highest point on the loop.
More than 16 percent of the entire route sits in especially steep climbing or descending sections, a higher share than comparable Alpine loops. A long descent from the pass returns riders to Sölden; over the full circuit, climbing and descending net out almost exactly, so nothing is given away at the end.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 33.5 | 4.1 km | 9 % | 26 % | +366 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 37.9 | 3.1 km | 7.4 % | 21.8 % | +229 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 41.9 | 2.3 km | 7.3 % | 21.2 % | +165 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 44.4 | 2.6 km | 6.7 % | 17.8 % | +173 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 140 | 15 km | 7.5 % | 29.5 % | +1,126 m | HC |
| km 185.1 | 2 km | 7.7 % | 23.5 % | +151 m | Cat. 4 |
| km 193.5 | 2.4 km | 8.8 % | 32.8 % | +206 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 197.6 | 4.3 km | 12 % | 80.1 % | +517 m | Cat. 2 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
How to pace Ötztaler Radmarathon.
Sit in early
The pacing trap sits in the first third: the four staggered ramps to Kühtai tempt riders to match moves in the bunch and burn matches early, even though the Jaufenpass and the Timmelsjoch – the passes that actually decide the race – are still to come. On the long, flat drag to the Brenner, sitting in and saving energy pays off far more than answering surges; no race is won there.
Ration your effort
The race-deciding section is the Jaufenpass at kilometre 140: 15 uninterrupted kilometres with no let-up, the first point after more than 100 kilometres that separates riders with reserves from those without. Push it too hard and there's nothing left for the Timmelsjoch.
Race the finale
The closing climb itself asks a second pacing question: its flatter lower section invites riders to lift the pace too early, before the steep final ramps above 2,400 metres actually arrive. Staying even there rather than attacking keeps the long descent back into Sölden under control.
Training plan for Ötztaler Radmarathon: 12-week build
Build endurance
For a competitive age-group rider, total time in the saddle runs from around nine to over twelve hours – with more than 7,600 metres of climbing over 227 kilometres, the Ötztaler Radmarathon sits among the longest single-day efforts on the calendar. The demand shifts through the day: the long, steady climbs to Kühtai and especially the uninterrupted 15-kilometre Jaufenpass call for sustained aerobic output with few changes of rhythm, while the steepest sections – over 16 percent of the route sits in this range – trigger short anaerobic surges.
Train the climbs
Long, technical descents add a further demand, testing concentration and descending skill rather than raw power after hours in the saddle. Two sections decide the race: the Jaufenpass at kilometre 140, which after more than 100 kilometres already separates riders with reserves from those without, and the closing Timmelsjoch climb from kilometre 185, which asks for another long, partly steep effort at the end of a full day before the final descent into Sölden.
Ride race-specific
Preparation should therefore favour long rides with climbing loaded into the back half, rather than front-loading the vertical. Targeted intervals on sustained 15- to 45-minute climbs build the specific fitness for Kühtai, the Jaufenpass and the Timmelsjoch, while descending under fatigue – for example at the end of a long ride – sharpens the technique needed for the second half of the day.
Arrive fresh
With summits above 2,400 metres and a late-August date that still brings summer heat to the lower valley sections, some deliberate heat exposure for the lower-altitude stretches is worth building in too.
Courses
Download the Ötztaler Radmarathon course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Let YOUB adapt your plan for Ötztaler Radmarathon dynamically
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Everything about Ötztaler Radmarathon.
How long is Ötztaler Radmarathon?
Ötztaler Radmarathon is 227 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
How much elevation gain does Ötztaler Radmarathon have?
Ötztaler Radmarathon has around 5,500 m of elevation gain over 227 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
What is the route profile of Ötztaler Radmarathon?
Ötztaler Radmarathon is classified as Mountainous, averaging 33.6 vertical metres per kilometre. 13% of the route is flat, 25% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 16% is steeper than 6%.
What climbs does Ötztaler Radmarathon have?
The hardest climb of Ötztaler Radmarathon starts at kilometre 140, runs for 15 km at an average of 7.5% and gains 1,126 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Is Ötztaler Radmarathon a loop course?
Yes, Ötztaler Radmarathon is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Is there a GPX file for the Ötztaler Radmarathon course?
Yes. The Ötztaler Radmarathon course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
How should I prepare for Ötztaler Radmarathon?
Preparation for Ötztaler Radmarathon should account for 227 km, 5,500 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
What pacing strategy works for Ötztaler Radmarathon?
The pacing strategy for Ötztaler Radmarathon should reflect 227 km, 5,500 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
When does Ötztaler Radmarathon 2027 take place?
Ötztaler Radmarathon 2027 takes place on August 29, 2027.
Where does Ötztaler Radmarathon 2027 take place?
Ötztaler Radmarathon 2027 takes place in Sölden, Austria.
How do I register for Ötztaler Radmarathon?
Registration runs through the organiser: oetztaler-radmarathon.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.
