The Timmelsjoch (Italian Passo del Rombo) is a 2,509 m s.l.m. high border pass between Ötztal Alps and Stubai Alpswho that Ötztal in Tyrol
with the Passeier Valley in South-Tirol
connects and is particularly important as an excursion route for cars and motorcycles. The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, which is usually open from mid-June to mid-October, leads over the yoke. The actual height of the Timmelsjoch, which is probably only 2474 m s.l.m. lies.
background
The Timmelsjoch was first mentioned in a document in 1241 as "Thymels", and in 1320 a mule track was laid over the pass. The first settlers broke out much earlier Passeier over the Timmelsjoch into the interior Ötztal in front; the merchant families Fugger and Welser use the pass as a trade route. A road across the Timmel, decided by the Tyrolean state parliament in 1897, was not realized due to the preference of other projects.
From 1933, under Benito Mussolini, a military road became the southern ramp of Passeier built up to two kilometers from the yoke, which in the event of war was used for an offensive against Austria should be used. The erection of a road from the Ötztal via the north ramp only took place between 1955 and 1959. On September 15, 1968, the road connection in both directions was officially released and has been since then Of Austria highest road border crossing.
The name Timmelsjoch, more precisely the word Timmel goes to that on the old Romansh word tömbl back, which marked a small hill. However, this does not mean the pass itself, but the round rubble bumps formed by the glacier, which can still be found today along the entire Timmelsjochweg. The Italian name Passo del Rombo is more recent and can be translated as "pass of roar, thunder".
getting there
By car
From Austria (Tyrol)
Of the 
123 Ötztal the Inntal Autobahn
via the well-developed Ötztalstraße B 186 das Ötztal up over Sautens, Oetz, Tumpen, Umhausen, Längenfeld and Soelden to the junction after Obergurgl. The route continues on the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road, which is usually open from mid-June to mid-October from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., past the toll booth to Timmelsjoch. The toll for the Italian side is paid together with the toll for the Austrian side. The length of the route from Inn Valley is simply about 60 kilometers, the travel time in normal traffic is just under an hour at around 50 minutes.
From Italy (South Tyrol)
Of Meran (Italian Merano, Ladin Maran) or Sterzing (Italian Vipiteno) - Jaufenpass (2094 m s.l.m.) - via Strada Statale 44 del Passo di Giovo 
to St. Leonhard in Passeier. Continue on the 
, a narrow asphalt road with tight serpentines and partly unlit tunnels, to the Timmelsjoch. Those who only drive the Italian side of the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road do not have to pay a toll. The length of the route St. Leonhard in Passeier, Town center, is just about 30 kilometers, the travel time with normal traffic is about half an hour.
By bus and train
Since 2012, the Timmelbus four times a day from Obergurgl over the Timmelsjoch to Passeier. The timetable for this cross-border connection (line 242; own tariffs) can be found at www.passeier.it and www.sii.bz.it. This offer is reinforced by additional trips on the Austrian Side between Obergurgl and the Timmelsjoch on line 4194 (timetable under www.vvt.at). The buses have connections in Obergurgl from and to Imst and in Moos in Passeier from and to Pfelders, as St. Leonhard in Passeier.
By bicycle
If you want to cross the Timmelsjoch by bike, you should arrive from the Ötztal out about that Ötztal mountain bike trail recommended. From Ötztal train station im Inn Valley leads this away from the traffic Soelden to Karlsruher Hut above Obergurgl and can also be used on a trekking bike suitable for mountain use. At the latest from Untergurgl But then you have to finally switch to the heavily trafficked high alpine road. The pass road itself should only be from Austria to Italy be driven on, see also the section Route information.
On foot
Several hiking trails run over the Timmelsjoch, including the European long-distance footpath E5. This leads from Zwieselstein over the Urweg Timmelstal, an old smuggler path and pass path, through the Timmelstal up to the Timmelsjoch and through the Passeier Timmelstal past the Gasthof Hochfirst and over Rabenstein (Italian Corvara) to Moos in Passeier (Italian Moso in Passiria). The walking time between Zwieselstein and Moos is between five and six hours.
Route information
Opening times & tolls
The toll road is usually from the beginning of June to the end of October 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. open to passenger traffic. The Austrian side is freely accessible for all vehicles. On the Italian side, the restrictions listed below apply to car, truck and bus operations.
The road is toll:
- Motorcycle: one way: 15 €; Return ticket: € 21
- Car one way: 17 €; Return ticket: € 24 (data as of 2020)
The southern, Italian side of the street is freely passable. Who has to turn on the pass pay nothing. The toll station is located between Hochgurgl and the top of the pass on Austrian territory. Incidentally, anyone who drives over the Timmelsjoch automatically pays for the Italian road section.
In the street
The narrow Italian southern driveway is accessible for cars, mobile homes, minibuses and trucks up to a total weight of max. 8.0 t, a width of max. 2.55 meters and a height of max. 4.00 meters. Buses, trucks> 8.0 t and any vehicles with trailers (including camper combinations) are not allowed to drive on this side.
motorcycle
The Austrian side is very well developed and in very good condition. The Italian side is much narrower, more confusing and bumpy. It also has unlit tunnels and a large number of switchbacks and hairpin bends.
By bicycle
The Timmelsjoch is a sporting challenge for cyclists because of its long, continuous incline Popular with road cyclists. With almost 1800 meters of altitude, spread over a distance of approx. 30 km from St. Leonhard to the top of the pass, the ascent is considered to be one of the largest continuous inclines in the Alps.
For touring cyclists who are mostly looking for safe routes away from traffic, the pass road is due to the heavy traffic actually not recommended. For cyclists who have the Alps want is the one to the west Reschenpass (almost 1000 m lower) the better alternative.
If you still want to drive over the Timmelsjoch, you should choose the north-south direction, as the road from the Austrian Page is significantly better developed than in Italy. The slopes on the north ramp are also in Ötztal more evenly distributed. From the south the road is very narrow and has several (sometimes longer) unlit tunnels.
- additional Information: Ötztal mountain bike trail - interesting for the approach from the north. Some of the route is also suitable for touring bikes, see the Wikivoyage article for more information.
The crossing of the Timmelsjoch is part of the Ötztal Cycle Marathon, which takes place annually in August.
In this competition, the Timmelsjoch, the last ascent, presents a particular difficulty, after the field of participants, which mostly consists of amateurs, had previously been Soelden above Kühtai, innsbruck, Brenner Pass and Jaufenpass has driven.
Over the pass
_Schmuggler.jpg/250px-Denkmal_Timmelsjoch_(Tirol)_Schmuggler.jpg)
Coming in front of the toll station from Sölden, the "Timmelsjoch Experience". Five stops at which architectural sculptures inform travelers about nature, history, culture, society and the economy of the region.
- 1 web, Hochgurgl. A footbridge that opens up completely new views provides information about the landscape and its peculiarities.
- 2 Smuggler, Timmelsbach Bridge. A cube that provides information about the world of smuggling over the Timmelsjoch.
- 3 Pass Museum, Timmelsjoch. An "ice cave" that pays tribute to the pioneers of the high alpine road inside.
- 4 Telescope, Disk head. A telescope that focuses the view of Granatkogel (3,304 m) and Hohen First (3,403 m).
- 5 garnet, Moss in Passeier. Two grenades, the geological rock formations of the Passeiers modeled on them, serve as a showroom and viewing platform.
security
For information on safety, see the route information a section above. In general, you should adapt your speed to the local conditions on the Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road and not overestimate your ability (especially for motorcyclists), and drive considerately and with foresight. Due to the better development standard of the Austrian part compared to the Italian part, the former can also be described as safer for drivers of the pass road.
trips
Jaufenpass
In connection with Timmelsjoch, Jaufenpass and Brenner Pass (Bundesstraße) results in an interesting excursion trip over three different ones Alpine passes, which is also part of the Ötztal Cycle Marathon. From Timmelsjoch (2,509 m s.l.m.) you drive on the down to St. Leonhard in Passeier (676 m s.l.m.) and follows the winding Strada Statale 44 del Passo di Giovo with 20 turns over the Jaufenpass (2094 m s.l.m.) until after Sterzing (Italian Vipiteno; 949 m s.l.m.). Continue either via the toll Brenner motorway (Autostrada A22) or the toll-free SS 12 dell’Abetone e del Brennero (Brennerstaatsstraße) 
until burner (Italian Passo del Brennero or short Brennero; 1370 m above sea level A.).
Meran / Merano
If you follow the Timmelsjoch Passeier Valley further and further down, the landscape changes suddenly with different geological, climatic and vegetation zones. While the Hinterpasseier between Timmelsjoch and St. Leonhard is natural and has an alpine climate, which means that there is still snow at high altitudes until late spring, the Vorderpasseier is gone St. Leonhard characterized by vines, orchards, pastures and Mediterranean vegetation. At the end of Passeiertals at Meran (Italian Merano, Ladin Maran) the Passer (Italian Passirio) into the Adige (Italian Adige).
