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Timmelsjoch pass 2,509m



Studying the maps to find a nice route into Austria meant looking for squiggles because squiggles means hairpins.

Google maps wasn’t interested in the route I found on our detailed OsmAnd maps. We generally use Google maps as a check for traffic delays but it would not route us over the squiggles that I found.

Timmelsjoch pass appeared to fit the bill though. It’s another high pass (2,509m), on the Italy-Austria border and driving from the south it’s very steep.


This is clearly a less used pass. There were a few cars and bikers and one or two cyclists, impressing us as usual.






At the top it was cold and had snowed in the last few hours. Unlike the popular passes, there’s very little at the top. There is a small exhibition about the construction of the road in recent times but the pass has been a route through the Alps for centuries, linking the Passeiertal and Ötztal valleys.



There is one very nice small restaurant on the Austrian side of the top, with enticing apfel küchen and we were happy to have that with our coffees.


Eventually we descended to the toll booth and paid the expected €20 but did get the sticker. Then it was an interesting drive into the Gurgl villages, where Obergurgl particularly, is preparing for a round of the skiing World Cup in November.

Further on but a lot lower, is Sölden which appears to be hosting the same competition in October. Maybe they make a lot of their own snow.

So now we are in western Austria, the Tyrol and it’s just beautiful. The mountains around are up to about 3,000m and the weather is perfect.

We are back at Prutz and it’s time for a lung- stretching walk.


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Comments

Anonymous said…
Looks and sounds amazing! And the apple pie looks pretty good too.
27 September 2026 at 19:52
Fran said…
We skied in Obergurgl years ago . Stunning . Love the Tyrol . Your hairpin bravery is admirable !
27 September 2026 at 21:27
Phil said…
I've never been to Austria and now I definitely must!!
1 October 2026 at 13:23
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