
Kuhtai Saddle is an absolute must for road lovers in Austria
Austria, europe
24.9 km
2,022 m
hard
Year-round
# Kühtai Saddle: Austria's Year-Round Alpine Adventure
Perched at 2,021m (6,633ft) in Tyrol's Austrian Alps, Kühtai Saddle is a playground for road enthusiasts who love dramatic mountain scenery. The pass has been welcoming travelers since 1628, and today it's one of Austria's most accessible high-altitude routes.
Spanning 24.9km (15.47 miles) between Oetz and Sankt Sigmund im Sellrain, Road L13 winds through some seriously impressive terrain. You'll navigate tight hairpin turns and steep climbs—some sections hit a jaw-dropping 17% gradient—making this a beloved challenge for road cyclists and drivers alike. The fully paved route runs west-east and stays open year-round thanks to the Kühtai ski resort nestled right in the saddle, though winter closures do happen occasionally.
One heads-up: the western side is off-limits to trucks, so you won't be dodging massive vehicles on that stretch. The combination of challenging curves, stunning alpine vistas, and that winter sports resort atmosphere makes Kühtai Saddle an absolute must-do for anyone exploring Tirol's mountain passes.
Where is it?
Kuhtai Saddle is an absolute must for road lovers in Austria is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.7401, 13.4197
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 24.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,022 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.7401, 13.4197
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