Bike Ride
Innsbruck - Stams

Route description for cyclists: Starting point is the "Hafen" building in the west of Innsbruck. Follow the Inn Cycle Path westwards towards Völs – straight ahead at km 4, on a firm gravel trail (4 km long) parallel to the autobahn. Recommended alternative: autobahn underpass on the left, towards the village centre of Völs – turn right at the church (km 4.8) – straight ahead to Kematen (attention: dangerous right-hand bend when you leave Völs at km 7.2) – keep to right at the church in Kematen (km 9) – short descent to the edge of Kematen – turn left, straight ahead for 1 km past the Ruetz bakery. Turn right at the road – short descent, turn left after the long bend (180-degree turn) into the cycle path towards Landeck – Pettnau. The cycle path continues along the southern bank of the Inn river as far as Rietz, with a short gravel section near Pettnau  – continue to Rietz, cross the road and continue parallel to the main all the way to the Stift Stams monastery.

The route back is the same. Alternatively, riders can turn right onto the main road in Telfs and take this road back to Innsbruck. After passing Zirl, take the exit to Innsbruck below the motorway, turn left after the right-hand bend and ride along parallel to the Martinswand rockface towards Kranebitten - Innsbruck. Switch onto the cycle path at the Gasthaus Kranbitten and ride past the airport back to the centre of Innsbruck.

Route description for handcyclists: Starting point is the "Hafen" building in the west of Innsbruck. Take the Inn Cycle Path heading west towards Landeck and follow the signs. There are a number of tight corners, but the tarmac is generally smooth. Every now an then there are some bumps caused by tree roots growing below the asphalt.

Handcyclists can avoid the gravel section from Völs to Kematen by turning up off the cycle path and then left. Turn right in front of the Elektrohaus Schuler building and follow the path to Kematen. In Kematen turn right towards the train station and the Bäckerei Ruetz bakery. Then head back towards the Inn river and back onto the Inn Cycle Path. Once on the cycle path, continue to follow the green signs for Landeck. The cycle path continues along the southern bank of the Inn river as far as Rietz, with a short gravel section near Pettnau. Continue to Rietz, cross the road and continue parallel to the main all the way to the Stift Stams monastery.

The route back is the same. Alternatively, riders can take the relatively quiet main road towards Telfs and stay on this road all the way back to Innsbruck. There is generally little traffic on this road as most drivers choose to take the motorway which runs parallel. Switch onto the cycle path at the Gasthaus Kranbitten and ride over the iron railway bridge next to tge Merkur supermarket to get back to the starting point at "Hafen" in the west of Innsbruck.

Important! The vast majority of this route is flat, with just a few short climbs where the cycle path crosses underneath the road. The main road option back to Innsbruck is also flat with a few gentle uphill sections near Zirl and in Kranebitten.

Handbike rating: This handbike ride from Innsbruck to Stams and back is long but offers excellent views of the surrounding landscape. The Stift Stams monastery at the half-way point is worth a visit. There are plenty of places to stop off for a drink and a snack along the way. The cycle path is well signposted throughout. Cyclists who wish to avoid the 3km of fine gravel from Völs to Kematen must leave the cycle path.