This ride takes its inspiration from the Dolomites Cycling Tour, one of the most popular mass-participation events in Tirol, and comprises 122 kilometres, 3,760 vertical metres and three mountain passes. The first, albeit small, challenge of the day is the short and easy climb onto the Gailbergsattel. This is followed by a descent to Kötschach before it is time to take on the toughest and most technical climb of the ride up onto the Kartitscher Sattel. Although the gradient is never extremely steep, it is hard for riders to find a rythmn. The long climb to Kartitsch concludes with a descent all the way down into the Pustertal Valley, where a final section with gradients of up to 17% awaits. All that then remains is the descent back down into the pretty town of Lienz at the foot of the Dolomites.
Roadbike Ride
"One of my favourite rides. After climbing the Gailbergsattel ridge and descending back down the other side it is time for the many ups and downs of the Lesachtal Valley all the way to the Kartitscher Sattel. The Lesachtal Valley is an untouched natural paradise. Take the chance to stop off and admire the views."
Starting point
Lienz
Finishing point
Lienz
Mountain chain
Carnic Alps
Length
122 km
Riding time
4 h 30 min
Features
- Circular route
- Handicap-accessible
- Route with e-bike charging station
Difficulty rating
difficult
Altitude
1,530m 620m
Elevation uphill 2,300m
Vertical metres downhill 2,300m
Fitness level
* These are approximate values and recommendations. Please take your personal fitness level, technical ability and the current weather conditions into account. Tirol Werbung cannot guarantee that the information provided is correct and accepts no liability.
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Trail description
Starting in Lienz, the first 20km are flat along the B100 to Oberdrauburg. It is there that the first climb of the day begins onto the Gailbergsattel at 981 metres above sea level. With a steady gradient of no more than 10%, the well-maintained road winds its way up into the mountains via ten switchback corners. With the first 350 vertical metres of the day completed, it is time for the 5km descent down to Kötschach. Here it is worth pulling on the brakes every now and then and stopping to enjoy the great views. Kötschach-Mauthen is on the border between Tirol and the neighbouring province of Carinthia, giving riders access to the pretty Lesachtal Valley.
Down in Kötschach-Mauthen it is time to take a deep breath and get ready for the 37km climb up to the Kartitscher Sattel along the Karnische Dolomitenstraße. It is hard to get into any kind of rhythmn on this road because it continually switches between climbs and short descents (19 in total), meaning that as well as the 820 vertical metres between top and bottom riders also have to climb a further 420 vertical metres which they lose through these descents. Highlights along the way are the Maria Luggau church of pilgrimage and the beautiful village of Obertilliach. The views south towards the snow-covered mountains are particularly impressive in autumn and spring.
Once riders have reached the top of the climb at 1,530m they can look forward to a fast descent via numerous switchback corners to the village of Tassenbach in the Pustertal Valley. Instead of taking the Drau Cycle Path (to the right), riders cross the river and follow the Drautal Bundesstraße main road to Abfaltersbach. Here riders leave the B100 and turn off onto the Pustertaler Höhenstraße road towards Anras. This is where the final climb of the day begins - 29.5km and 845 vertical metres. This section of the ride has been used twice by the organisers of the Giro d’Italia (1994 and 2007) and has punishing gradients of up to 17%.
With the day's climbing done, it is time to enjoy the flat final section winding its way along the south-facing side of the Hochpustertal Valley through many pretty villages all the way down via Bannberg to Leisach. From here it is just a question of completing the final few kilometres along the B100 back to the starting point in Lienz.
Tip! We recommend starting this ride as early as possible. Due to the large amount of climbing involved this ride should not be underestimated. The first climb onto the Gailbergsattel can also be quite busy with traffic later in the day.
