Stage 1: Martina (Switzerland) / Pfunds (Austria) - Landeck
Distance: 46 kilometres; riding time: 3 hours 45 minutes
From the Swiss border, the Inn Cycle Path undulates through lush meadows close to the river. This first stage in Tirol shares its route with the Via Claudia Cycle Path and has plenty of highlights, not least the medieval Altfinstermünz Fortress in a gorge close to the Austrian-Swiss border. The fortress includes a museum, an impressive tower, a wooden bridge and a natural cave. It is just a short ride on to the village of Pfunds, where the cycle path leads directly through the "Turaloch" tower. The route continues to Tösens and then past an old Roman bridge which is believed to be the oldest bridge anywhere in Tirol. Shortly after the village of Prutz, the Upper Inn Valley swings left and continues for eight kilometres to the town of Landeck, where the first stage concludes.
Further highlights along the route: Siegmundsried Castle, Sauerbrunnquelle spring in Prutz, Archaeological Museum Fliess, Landeck Castle, Schorfenstein ruins in Stanz near Landeck.
Stage 2: Landeck - Telfs
Distance: 52.6 kilometres; riding time: 3 hours 45 minutes
From Landeck, the Inn Cycle Path continues to Perjen and Zams. In Zams there is the Zammer Lochputz, a gorge with Tirol's oldest hydroelectric power plant. Riders then head to Schönwies and on to Imst, where the next gorge awaits: the Rosengartenschlucht. Leaving Imst, there is a bit of up and down as the route follows the banks of the Inn river. Before reaching the Roppener Tunnel, the cycle path leads into the Imster Schlucht gorge. The next highlight is the Stams Abbey, one of Austria's most famous abbeys. From there it is just a short ride to the small town of Telfs at the foot of the mighty Mieming Mountains.
Further highlights along the route: Landeck Castle, Apple Mile in Haiming, Kronburg place of pilgrimage
Stage 3: Telfs - Innsbruck
Distance: 28.5 kilometres; riding time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Leaving from Telfs, cyclists continue along the Inn Cycle Path past Zirl (a village at the foot of the Martinswand, a mighty rockface popular with rock climbers) to Innsbruck, the regional capital of Tirol. The cultural highlights here are numerous: the Golden Roof, Ambras Castle, the Hofburg imperial palace, many museums, the cable cars up into the Nordkette Mountains, etc.
Further highlights along the route: Noaflhaus carnival and local history museum, Innsbruck oldtown, Bergisel ski jump to the south of Innsbruck, Ottoburg restaurant (Innsbruck)
Stage 4: Innsbruck - Strass
Distance: 52.5 kilometres; riding time: 3 hours
From Innsbruck, the route continues downstream on the left-hand side of the river to Hall in Tirol. We recommend stopping here to enjoy the beautiful medieval oldtown, the largest in Tirol. Riders cross over onto the other side of the Inn and head to Volders. The next section is characterised by vegetable fields and small towns such as Wattens and Schwaz before riders finally reach Strass at the start of the Zillertal Valley. Before you get there, why not stop in Schwaz, once a hub of silver mining in the Middle Ages, to see the mining museum?
Further highlights along the route: Swarovski Crystal Worlds in Wattens, Tratzberg Castle, Wolfsklamm gorge, Zillertalbahn railway line
Stage 5: Strass - Kufstein/Erl
Distance: 52 kilometres; riding time: 3 hours
From Strass the route traces the banks of the river to Brixlegg. From there, why not take a detour to Kramsach and the Tirol Farmstead Museum? Alternatively, continue to Rattenberg, Austria's smallest town. It has a beautiful town centre well worth a visit. The path then leads through Radfeld and on to Wörgl. In Kirchbichl the final push begins, flat all the way, through Kufstein and on to the village of Erl, famous for its eye-catching operahouse.
Further highlights along the route: Tirol Cemetery Museum in Kramsach, Kufstein Fortress
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