The Timmelsjoch/Passo del Rombo is a border pass between Austria and Italy. It is linking the Ötztal valley to the Passeier Valley. Traffic on this road linking Sankt Leonhard in Passerei/San Leonardo in Passiria on the Southeastern side to Sölden on the northwestern side is essentially made of tourism since the easiest and quickest link between Tyrol and South Tyrol is the nearby Brennerpass.

From the Italian side, I remember one of my hardest memories on the bike. The sun was hitting hard and the ramps seemed so steep that I thought it would never end. Out of the village, the road climbs slowly along the River, before starting the massive serpentines. You have to be ready to climb for 29 kilometers, with some kilometers exceeding 10% average. It’s a very unsteady climb, with a long flat section halfway. It is one of the longest climbs you can tackle in Europe, as it brings you up from 690m to almost 2 500m, meaning an elevation gain of almost 1 800m. Be sure to carry enough water in this climb if done in the summer heat, as there are just two refilling opportunities along.

The Austrian side is way easier since you start the actual climb at 1 357m and get to the top in a total of 23,8 kilometers, with an average gradient of 4,7%. The temperature on the Austrian side is also usually way more sustainable.