Gerlitzen Alpine Road is a sensational drive south of the Alps
Austria, europe
12 km
1,773 m
moderate
Year-round
# Gerlitzen Alpe Panoramastraße
Tucked along the northern shore of Lake Ossiach in Carinthia, Austria, the Gerlitzen Alpe Panoramastraße is a scenic toll road that's absolutely worth the drive. The name itself has a fiery backstory—it comes from the ancient Slavonic word "Gorelice" (goreti = to burn), a nod to the region's history with wildfires.
This 12km (7.45 miles) route starts near Bodensdorf, right by the lake, and climbs steadily upward to a panoramic car park perched at 1,773m (5,816ft) elevation. You'll gain a serious 1,258 meters of elevation along the way, which translates to an average gradient of about 10.48%—with some sections hitting a punchy 13%.
The road itself is fully paved (though it's seen better days) and pretty narrow at just 5 meters wide, but that's part of its charm. As you wind your way up, you're treated to gorgeous views of the Ossiacher Sea below and the stunning Carinthian landscape unfolding around you. The drive culminates near the Mountain Resort Feuerberg, where that panoramic car park offers some truly breathtaking vistas of central Carinthia.
It's the kind of road that justifies a leisurely afternoon—take your time, soak in the views, and enjoy one of Austria's most scenic drives.
Where is it?
Gerlitzen Alpine Road is a sensational drive south of the Alps is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.8528, 13.1382
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,773 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 47.8528, 13.1382
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