The Timmelsjoch connects the Ötztal valley in the Austrian state of Tyrol to the Passeier Valley in the Italian province of South Tyrol, as it bridges the saddle point between the Jochköpfl () and Wurmkogl () peaks to its northeast and southwest, respectively. The pass is sometimes called the secret passage because it is little-used compared to the much easier and lower Brenner Pass some to its east, and Reschen Pass some to its west.