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
Related Roads in europe
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Playa de Cofete on Canary Islands
🇪🇸 Spain
# Playa de Cofete: Fuerteventura's Wild Coastal Adventure Picture this: you're standing at the edge of Spain's Canary Islands, about to tackle one of the most legendary drives on the archipelago. Welcome to Playa de Cofete, a breathtaking stretch of sandy perfection nestled on the western side of the Jandia peninsula in Fuerteventura. The 10.5 km unpaved road to get there? Yeah, it's absolutely mental—in the best way possible. Starting from the village of Morro Jable, this route climbs dramatically up to the Mirador de Cofete viewpoint, gaining 231 meters of elevation along the way. The track is properly narrow in spots, forcing single-file traffic and revealing some seriously gnarly cliff-side drops that'll make your knuckles white. You'll definitely want a sturdy jeep or four-wheel-drive vehicle for this one. But here's where it gets interesting. The road's got a wild backstory steeped in WWII history and conspiracy theories. Built back in the late 1930s during the Hitler and Franco era, this route was constructed to access a military zone that kept civilians out entirely. Dark rumors have swirled for decades—tales of a mysterious villa (Villa Winter) that allegedly served as a hideout where Nazi figures underwent plastic surgery before fleeing to South America, supposedly arriving by submarine under cover of darkness. True or not, the real magic here is the landscape itself. You're surrounded by dramatic terrain that eventually opens up to reveal Cofete beach—absolutely stunning and worth every bump in the road.
moderateCol de Bavella is one of the most scenic roads of Corsica
🇫🇷 France
# Col de Bavella: Corsica's Ultimate Mountain Drive Perched at 1,226 meters (4,022 feet) in Corsica's Alta Rocca range, Col de Bavella is hands-down one of the island's most spectacular mountain passes. The fully paved D268 winds its way up through some seriously dramatic scenery—think dramatic peaks, sweeping coastal views, and those classic Mediterranean landscapes that make you want to pull over every five minutes. Fair warning: this isn't a straightforward cruise. The road loops and twists with plenty of hairpin turns that'll keep you focused, but that's honestly part of the charm. The ascent from Zonza spans 8.9 km with 440 meters of elevation gain (averaging 4.9%, with some sections hitting 8.6%), then the full route stretches 38.4 km (23.86 miles) all the way to the coast. What makes it truly special is the scenery. Mountains tower above you as you wind down toward the Mediterranean, and there are several pull-off spots to soak it all in. Bonus: the road shadows the beautiful Solenzara river, where you'll find crystal-clear rock pools and canyons perfect for a refreshing swim—check out spots like Fiumicelle if you need a break from the driving. At the summit itself, you'll find bars, restaurants, and shops, plus a nice grassy area under pine trees if you're packing a picnic. Just know that it gets absolutely rammed with tourists during summer months and weekends—arrive early if you want to enjoy the peace. But come here, you absolutely should. It's one of those roads that reminds you why road trips exist.
extremeWhere is Los Pelaos - Repetidor Lújar?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventurers, buckle up, because Los Pelaos in Granada, Spain, is a wild ride! This mountain peak sits pretty high at 1,873m (that's 6,145ft!), offering unreal 360° views of the sea and the Alpujarras. The journey to the top? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking seriously steep sections, pushing gradients up to 17%! This old road, built back in the '60s to reach those comms towers (Repetidores de Lújar), is only 9.5 km (5.9 miles) long, starting from a mountain pass on the A-4131 Road, but packs in a hefty 734 meters of elevation gain. Expect a bumpy adventure! The asphalt is… well, let’s just say it's seen better days. Think potholes galore, stones scattered about, and grass doing its best to reclaim the road. It's more dirt track than highway in places! While you *might* be able to coax a car up, mountain biking (MTB) is the seriously recommended mode of transport. And those 13 hairpin turns? They're just the cherry on top of this challenging, character-filled climb. Trust me, you won't forget this one!
moderateA brutally steep classic climb to Planche des Belles Filles
🇫🇷 France
# Planche des Belles Filles Tucked away in the Vosges Mountains within France's Haute-Saône department, Planche des Belles Filles sits pretty at 1,148 meters (3,766 feet) above sea level. The name literally means "Beautiful Girls," though it actually comes from the local vegetation—so don't let the romantic-sounding title fool you! The climb up via D16-D16E is a beast. Starting from Plancher-les-Mines, you're looking at a 5.9 km (3.7 mi) assault on your legs with 503 meters (1,650 feet) of elevation gain. The average gradient hangs around 8.5%, but things get spicy near the top—we're talking a brutal 28% stretch that'll make your quads scream. This climb absolutely destroyed egos when Chris Froome first conquered it during the 2012 Tour de France, claiming his first stage victory in La Grande Boucle. What makes this road infamous isn't just the punishing gradient; it's the relentless, constantly changing steepness from bottom to finish. Unlike most French roads with their carefully engineered, predictable slopes, Planche des Belles Filles keeps you guessing with unforgiving elevation changes at every turn. The road itself is wide enough for two cars to pass comfortably, but that paved surface leads to a genuinely feared ski slope finale that's humbled countless cyclists. Fair warning: this climb isn't for the faint of heart. It's one of the most notorious and feared ascents in the entire Vosges range, and it shows absolutely zero mercy from start to finish.