- Ascent
- 1945 hm
- Distance Ascent
- 38.4 km
- max. gradient
- 14 %
- ø gradient
- 5.1 %
The Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße from Prutz is an HC climb of 38.4 km with 1,945 m of elevation gain at an average of 5.1 %, peaking at 14 %. The road runs through the Kaunertal past the Gepatsch reservoir up to 2,750 m, and the way back is the same road. After a long valley section, the last ten kilometres average around 8 %.
No Eastern Alps climb in our list is longer or has more climbing than the Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße. From Prutz it is 38.4 kilometres and 1,945 metres of climbing up to 2,750 metres. The 5.1 % average hides a lot: long flat valley sections alternate with steep blocks. The real climb only starts in the last third.
The Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße at a glance
The key figures from Prutz: category HC, 38.4 km, 1,945 m of climbing, 5.1 % on average and 14 % at its steepest. The road leaves the Inn valley at Prutz, runs through the Kaunertal past the Gepatsch reservoir and climbs up to the glacier at 2,750 m. Start and finish are both in Prutz, so the way back is the same road. In our list the Kaunertal belongs to the Eastern Alps region.
The climb from Prutz
The first 27 kilometres or so are a long valley approach with a changing rhythm. Moderate pieces of 3 to 7 % alternate with almost flat stretches, and after around 20 kilometres comes a short steep block of three kilometres at 7 to 9 %. Right after it the road runs almost level for about five kilometres. Anyone who treats this section as a long warm up is doing it right.
The last eleven kilometres or so are the actual climb and average around 8 %. Two kilometres here go above 10 %, with only a short dip in between. The steepest kilometres come in the upper part, where the altitude is already above 2,000 metres. Only the very end eases off slightly before the top.
How it compares to our 100 climbs
The Kaunertal is one of the giants in the list: only four climbs have more elevation gain, only four are longer, and only five finish higher. In the Eastern Alps it is number one for both length and elevation gain. Its 5.1 % average, on the other hand, is one of the lowest, 88 climbs are steeper. Almost a twin is the Col de la Bonette, with 38.6 km and 1,911 m of climbing at 5 %.
Practical tips
On the Kaunertal pacing and supplies matter more than gearing: plan food and drink for several hours. A compact gearing with a large sprocket helps on the steep final section. At 2,750 m it is cold even in summer, so warm layers for the top and the long descent are essential. The way back to Prutz is the same road, and the flat valley sections make the descent longer than you might expect.
