By Bike

Day 25 (28th August).

The Kaunertaler Glacier Road is renowned for its stunning alpine scenery and is often described as one of the most beautiful roads in the Alps.

The climb by bike is in a series of steps for the first 30km, then rises from just below the tree-line at a steady 10-12% incline for the remaining 8km.

Above the tree-line I encountered a few cute marmots and lots of cattle, including this bull who decided the moment to cross the road to get to a freshly laid salt lick, was precisely the time I arrived on my bike! The bull, of course, had right of way.

The Kaunertal Glacier is also renowned as having one of the most reliable and lengthiest ski seasons in the Alps. Summer skiing used to be possible at this altitude. No longer.

Since the 1980s, when the area was developed for skiing, the glacier has been shrinking considerably. The rate of melting is also accelerating, with the glacier now described as a “glacier corpse” in summer.

Melting permafrost and unstable slopes are also threatening roads, settlements and reservoirs in the valley below. Based on current trends, it is expected the glacier will completely disappear within 40 years.

A glorious descent until, 16km from camp, pssssssst, ker-klunk, ker-klunk, my first puncture!

According to Garmin