Driving the 5 stars road to Arlberg Pass in Austria
Austria, europe
13.2 km
1,804 m
hard
Year-round
# Arlberg Pass: Austria's Alpine Classic
Want to experience one of Austria's most iconic mountain passes? Head to Arlberg Pass, perched at 1,804 meters (5,918 feet) right where Vorarlberg and Tyrol meet in the western part of the country.
This scenic route has serious history—the original road was built way back in 1787 (it was called the "Josephinische Straße" back then), got paved in 1824, and now you can zip under the whole thing via the Arlberg Road Tunnel if you're in a rush. But trust us, you won't want to skip the actual pass.
The 13.2-kilometer (8.2-mile) stretch from Stuben am Arlberg to St. Anton am Arlberg is an absolute blast to drive. Federal Highway B 197 is completely paved and in excellent condition—wide enough to feel safe, with some thrilling hairpin turns especially on the western approach. Fair warning though: some sections hit a steep 13% gradient, so take it at your own pace. The western side is where things get really fun with those signature switchbacks.
What makes this pass special is that it's nestled in the northern Rhaetian Alps and stays open pretty much year-round. Plus, you get a handy café-bar and spacious parking lot right at the summit if you need a breather and want to soak in the views. Whether you're a road trip enthusiast or just love a good mountain drive, Arlberg Pass delivers the goods.
Where is it?
Driving the 5 stars road to Arlberg Pass in Austria is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.2631, 13.1985
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,804 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.2631, 13.1985
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