How long is the Schlegeis Alpenstrasse in Tyrol?
Austria, europe
13.3 km
1,000 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Austria, in the heart of Tyrol, and you're about to embark on an epic road trip. You're heading up the Schlegeis Alpenstrasse, a totally gorgeous mountain road that zigzags its way into some seriously breathtaking scenery.
This fully paved toll road stretches for about 13.3 km (8.26 miles), kicking off from the village of Ginzling, just south of Mayrhofen, and climbing all the way to the stunning Schlegeis reservoir. Keep in mind, it's usually open from mid-May to the end of October, depending on the weather.
Now, don't get too comfy, because this road keeps you on your toes! Expect lots of twists and turns, plus some pretty narrow sections that might make you sweat a little. There are sections where only one car can pass at a time, so traffic lights keep things flowing. You'll also navigate eight hairpin turns and pass through four tunnels carved right into the rock. The gradient hits a maximum of 12% in places.
Starting at 1,000 meters above sea level, you'll climb through those hairpin bends and natural rock tunnels (mind the 3.6-meter height restriction!) all the way to the parking areas at the Schlegeis Reservoir, sitting pretty at 1,806 meters. That's an elevation gain of 806 meters!
But trust me, every single meter is worth it. The views are absolutely incredible, and the drive is exhilarating. This road leads you on a spectacular journey through a high alpine landscape with incredible views of the Zillertal Alps. Keep an eye out for waterfalls and glimpses of the glacier as you wind your way through the tunnels!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,000 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
moderate2 roads in Ireland listed in Lonely Planet's Top 50 Epic Drives of the World
🌍 Ireland
Craving an epic Irish road trip? You're in luck! Two routes, the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route, serve up unforgettable scenery. First up, the Wild Atlantic Way. Clocking in at a massive 1,600 miles (2,600 km), it's the *longest* defined coastal drive *in the world*! This route hugs Ireland's entire west coast, from the Inishowen Peninsula down to Kinsale. Expect dramatic landscapes sculpted by centuries of Atlantic waves – think rugged cliffs, pristine beaches, charming villages, and maybe even a castle or two. For something a bit shorter, check out the Causeway Coastal Route in Northern Ireland. This 200-mile (321 km) beauty stretches from Belfast to Derry, offering similar Atlantic-carved views: think dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches! Plus, keep an eye out for whiskey distilleries and castles straight out of Game of Thrones. You could technically do it in a day, but trust me, spread it over two to soak it all in. A few tips for both routes: Road conditions are generally good, but Irish weather is famously unpredictable – sunshine one minute, thunderstorms the next! Drive at a reasonable speed, especially since you'll be sharing the road with pedestrians, farm animals, and wildlife. Be extra cautious if you're not used to driving on the left, too.
hardMount Skloka: an awe-inspiring paved road in Crete
🇬🇷 Greece
# Sklóka: A Thrilling Climb on Crete's Hidden Peak Ready for an adrenaline rush? Sklóka is a 443-meter (1,453ft) mountain peak perched on the northeast side of the Akrotiri peninsula, just off Crete's northwestern coast. This isn't your typical scenic drive—it's a white-knuckle adventure wrapped in stunning Mediterranean views. The road to the summit is paved, but don't let that fool you. It's narrow, wickedly steep, and definitely not for the faint of heart or inexperienced drivers. Towering rock formations box you in on all sides, and those hairpin turns? They're real. Twelve of them, to be exact. Oh, and there are some seriously gnarly dropoffs that'll make your palms sweat—so keep your eyes on the road and your hands firmly on the wheel. The 3.8-kilometer climb from Akropoli packs an elevation gain of 186 meters with an average gradient of 4.89%, but those numbers don't really capture how intense this drive feels. What you *will* get out of all that effort is absolutely jaw-dropping views over Souda Bay and the Chania-Ag. Marina area spreading out below you like a postcard come to life. At the summit, you'll find a few communication facilities, but the real reward? Those panoramic vistas that'll make every white-knuckle moment worth it.
moderateWhere are the Çatalca Tunnels?
🇹🇷 Turkey
Just outside of Istanbul, Turkey, you'll find the Çatalca Tunnels, a pair of totally cool highway tunnels that made history! Where? They're smack-dab in Istanbul Province, in a central spot within the Marmara Region, on the eastern side of Turkey. These tunnels are completely paved and part of the Otoyol 7 (O-7) motorway, also called the Northern Marmara Highway. One tunnel is 549 meters (1,801 ft) long, and the other is 511 meters (1,677 ft). The toll highway itself is a whopping 243 km long between the Kınalı and Akyazı junctions, boasting eight lanes and bypassing Istanbul to the north. These tunnels are famous because an Italian pilot named Dario Costa completed a crazy feat: flying an airplane through *two* tunnels! Nobody had *ever* done that before. This was a complicated challenge he dreamed of for years, but he totally nailed it. It took him just 43.44 seconds, hitting average speeds of 245 kph and a top speed of 303.08 km/h (188.07 mph) in the second tunnel. The flight was just 2.26 km, but it required insane precision, starting in one tunnel, going through a short stretch of open highway, and then diving into the second tunnel. Over a year of prep and 40+ people went into making this record-breaking flight a reality! The most critical moment? When Costa had to navigate the plane through a 360m gap between the tunnels, battling crosswinds. He totally crushed it and even did a loop afterwards!
moderateWhere is Puerto de Santa Ines?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, buckle up, road trippers, because Puerto de Santa Inés in Soria, Spain, is calling your name! This baby climbs to a cool 1,755 meters (5,757 feet) in the Iberian System, offering seriously stunning views from the Castile and León region. The SO-830 is your chariot on this adventure. It's paved, so no worries there, but be ready for some steep climbs – we're talking gradients up to 12%! The whole shebang stretches 27.5 kilometers (17 miles) from Montenegro de Cameros to Vinuesa, and trust me, you'll want to take your time to soak it all in. Heads up: you might encounter some winter closures, but mostly, this road is open year-round. Oh, and did I mention there's a ski resort at the top? Talk about a scenic pit stop! Get ready for breathtaking scenery and an unforgettable drive.