A paved road to Flexen Pass in the Austrian Alps
Austria, europe
15.6 km
1,781 m
hard
Year-round
# Flexen Pass: A Historic Alpine Adventure
Ready for a thrilling mountain drive? Flexen Pass sits pretty at 1,781 meters (5,843 feet) high in Vorarlberg, Austria, and it's one seriously cool route with some serious history behind it.
This pass has been around for centuries, but the real story starts in 1895 when Johann Bertolini and his crew began carving out the modern road. After fourteen years of hard work, it finally opened to traffic in 1909. Since 1936, the Flexenstrasse has been keeping things moving year-round—yep, even when winter throws a tantrum.
The 15.6-kilometer (9.69-mile) route runs north-south from Warth down to Stuben am Arlberg, and it's completely paved as Road 198, also called the Lechtal Strasse. Fair warning though: this isn't a leisurely cruise. The road gets seriously steep, with grades hitting up to 10% on some sections that'll definitely test your nerves and your brakes.
Here's where it gets really interesting—about 300 meters before the summit, the road vanishes into the Flexengalerie, an absolutely ancient 1,550-meter-long avalanche tunnel that's basically held together with old oak wood beams. Inside, it's rough and tumble, with single-lane traffic managed by a traffic light system. It's genuinely wild.
The summit itself has a parking lot and the quirky Restaurant Flexenhäusl if you need a breather. Most drivers take 25 to 30 minutes to cover the whole pass. You can usually drive it year-round, though winter weather can kick in sudden closures. It's an unforgettable Alpine experience.
Where is it?
A paved road to Flexen Pass in the Austrian Alps is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.6256, 13.9294
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 15.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,781 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.6256, 13.9294
Related Roads in europe
moderateVehicle Identification: A Guide to UK License Plates and Regulations
🇬🇧 England
Okay, picture this: The Bealach na Bà, or the "Pass of the Cattle," is like Scotland's rebellious cousin to those tame tourist routes. Snaking its way through the Applecross peninsula in the Scottish Highlands, this single-track road stretches for about 11 miles. Get ready for a workout! You'll climb from sea level to a dizzying 2,054 feet! And trust me, you'll feel every foot of that climb. But hold on, it's not all stunning views. This road earns its reputation. We're talking hairpin turns that'll make you question your driving skills, gradients hitting a steep 20%, and sections so narrow you might have to fold in your mirrors. Weather can change in a heartbeat up here, so be prepared for anything – sun, rain, fog, all within the same hour. Not recommended for learner drivers or larger vehicles, especially motorhomes. But oh, the scenery! When the weather gods are smiling, you'll be treated to mind-blowing panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, Loch Kishorn, and the Isle of Skye. It's a photographer's dream and worth every white-knuckle moment. Just take it slow, keep your eyes on the road, and soak it all in!
extremePort d’Aula is one of the most beautiful roads of the Pyrenees
🇫🇷 France
# Port d'Aulà: A High-Alpine Adventure in the Pyrenees Perched at 2,265 meters (7,431 feet) in the heart of the Pyrenees, Port d'Aulà marks the border between France and Spain—connecting Ariège in southwestern France with Lleida in Catalonia. But this mountain pass is more than just a scenic viewpoint; it's a place steeped in history. During Spain's Civil War (1936-1939), desperate refugees fleeing Franco's regime scrambled across these peaks toward France, only to face grim conditions in overcrowded camps. Decades later, French Jews would reverse the journey, using this same route to escape the Nazis during World War II. The mountains have witnessed both hope and heartbreak. Today, the French side offers something truly special: the Route Forestiere du Port d'Aulà. Built in the 1970s and remaining unpaved, this road is a serious contender for one of the Pyrenees' most stunning drives. But don't mistake "beautiful" for "easy." Starting from Couflens, you're looking at a relentless 17.8-kilometer (11-mile) climb with nearly 1,600 meters of elevation gain. The road pitches up to a brutal 12.9% gradient with 43 hairpin turns that demand respect—it's so narrow that two cars simply can't pass. The final stretch? That's reserved for foot traffic and mountain bikers only. As you wind your way up, the Etang de Prat Matau and Etang d'Areau—pristine alpine lakes—will reward your effort with views that make every hairpin turn worthwhile. The Spanish side, by contrast, has no road to the summit at all, making the French approach the only way to reach this isolated high-altitude crossing.
extremeWhere is Los Machucos?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because Los Machucos in Cantabria, Spain is a LEG BURNER! This insane mountain pass climbs to 880m (2,887ft) and trust me, you'll feel every. single. meter. We're talking northern Spain, east of... well, you'll figure it out when you see it looming. The Vuelta a España bike race has tackled this beast, so you KNOW it's hardcore. The road *is* paved, mostly, but those super steep sections are concrete. Think grippy, but also relentlessly unforgiving. Built in the early 2000s, you can usually access it year-round, but watch out for winter closures. Those Cantabrian Mountains can get nasty! Clocking in at 14.1km (8.76 miles) between San Roque de Riomiera and Bustablado, it's a decent haul, but those gradients...whew! And the reward? Besides bragging rights? A giant metal cow sculpture called Monumento a la Vaca Pasiega! Perched high in the Cantabrian Mountains, it's the perfect quirky photo op after you’ve conquered this climb. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery as you grind your way up!
hardTimmelsjoch is the highest pass of the Ötztal Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Timmelsjoch Pass: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Ready for an epic high-altitude drive? Welcome to Timmelsjoch Pass (aka Passo del Rombo), sitting pretty at 2,479m (8,133ft) right on the Austria-Italy border. It's basically the less famous but equally stunning cousin of the legendary Stelvio Pass. This beauty connects Austria's Ötztal valley in Tyrol with Italy's Passeier Valley in South Tyrol, winding through the gorgeous Ötztal Alps. What's wild is that this road is one of the highest paved passes in the Alps, and it's been connecting these two regions since the late 1950s—talk about a major engineering feat! The project took just 17 months to complete (May 1955 to November 1959), and it opened to the public on July 7, 1959. Here's what you're getting into: the Timmelsjoch Hochalpenstrasse is a paved toll road stretching 34.6km (21.49 miles) from Obergurgl in Austria to Moos in Passeier in Italy. Sounds straightforward? Not quite. This road is seriously intense with 60 turns and 30 hairpin bends, plus gradients reaching up to 12.7%. Whether you're cruising in a convertible, tearing it up on a motorcycle, or tackling it by bike, expect an unforgettable ride and absolutely jaw-dropping Alpine scenery. The pass typically opens daily from 7:00 am to 8:00 pm between early June and late October—this thing gets absolutely hammered by snow (up to 10 meters!) and freezing winds for the rest of the year. Plan on spending about 90-100 minutes driving, though you'll definitely want to stop for those incredible views of glacier landscapes, crystal-clear alpine streams, and dramatic rock faces. All in all, this is one scenic, adrenaline-pumping mountain road you won't forget anytime soon.