
How long is the Goldeck Panorama Road?
Austria, europe
14.5 km
1,895 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Carinthia, Austria, and you stumble upon the Goldeck-Panoramastraße. This isn't just any road; it's a 14.5km (9-mile) ribbon of pure driving bliss that winds its way from Zlan up to Parkplatz Seetal, perched at a cool 1,895m (6,217ft).
Think incredible views of the Carinthian mountains and valleys – seriously, bring your camera! This paved road is generally open from May to October, but keep in mind those dates can shift. You'll want to hit it between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm to make the most of the daylight.
The drive itself? Super pleasant, with about 10 hairpin turns to keep things interesting and a max gradient of 10%. In about 15-25 minutes you'll be at the top. From the parking lot, you can see the Staff summit, the Gailtal Alps, and the Karawanken. Just remember, it can get chilly up there, so pack accordingly!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 14.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,895 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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