Is Hochtor Tunnel paved?
Austria, europe
17.4 km
2,504 m
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, right on the border of Salzburg and Carinthia in Austria. You're surrounded by the majestic Hohe Tauern mountains, part of the main chain of the Central Eastern Alps. Suddenly, you plunge into the Hochtor Tunnel, which clocks in at 311 meters – the highest point on the whole road at a whopping 2,504 meters above sea level!
This tunnel is totally paved, so no need to worry about bumpy rides. The road up to it from Pockhorn is a 17.4 km climb with an average gradient of 8%, so expect some serious uphill action as you gain 1,400 meters in elevation. The tunnel was built back in the mid-1930s.
Keep in mind the Grossglockner High Alpine Road (and therefore the tunnel) is generally open from early May to the end of October. But, because you're way up in the mountains, always check conditions before you go – Mother Nature can be unpredictable at these heights!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 17.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,504 m
- Difficulty
- easy
Related Roads in europe
moderateHow to Get to Olerdola Castle by Car in the Penedes Wine Region?
🇪🇸 Spain
# Castell d'Olerdola: A Steep Climb Through History Ready for a scenic drive with some serious history vibes? Head to the Alt Penedès region in Catalonia, Spain, where you can tackle the winding road (BV-2443) up to Castell d'Olerdola, a medieval castle perched 314m above sea level. The ascent is no joke—we're talking about 1.9km of paved road that climbs 137m, with sections hitting 10% gradient. That's a solid 7.21% average gradient, so your car will definitely feel the burn. But here's the payoff: the road offers absolutely stunning views across the Penedes vineyards and stretches all the way to the sea. The landscape is so gorgeous that it's been used as a backdrop for TV commercials, including for the Seat Leon. Once you reach the summit, you'll find a spacious parking lot and the castle itself—which sits on an archaeological site that's basically a time capsule. We're talking Neolithic settlements, Iberian and Roman remains, and Early Medieval castle ruins all in one spot. The permanent exhibition tells the whole fascinating story of human habitation in this area. Starting from the C15 road and pushing north through the Garraf massif, this is a fully paved route that rewards drivers with incredible views and a heavy dose of Spanish heritage. Just be prepared for those steep pitches!
moderateThe road to Prato Piazza Pass isn’t an easy one
🇮🇹 Italy
# Passo Prato Piazza: A Mountain Pass Adventure in South Tyrol Nestled in the Casies/Gsies Valley in South Tyrol, Italy, Passo Prato Piazza (also known as Plätzwiesensattel) sits at a breezy 1,993 meters (6,538 feet) above sea level. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's a proper mountain challenge that'll test both your nerves and your vehicle. You've got two ways to tackle this beast, and they couldn't be more different. **From the north**, the road starts out friendly enough with smooth asphalt that transitions into a well-maintained forestry road. The early switchbacks are wide and forgiving, but don't get too comfortable—once you pass Ponticello at 1,491 meters, things get serious. The gradient kicks up to around 7%, and when you finally break out of the dense forest, you're hit with a brutal 13% stretch. The whole northside climb stretches 12 kilometers with 788 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6.6%), culminating in a short but sharp ramp right at the pass. **From the south**, the adventure gets grittier. Starting from Carbonin at 1,450 meters, this graveled strada sterrata is the road less traveled—you'll often share it with hikers on nice days. You'll cruise along packed gravel through the forest for a couple kilometers, then surprise! A beautiful asphalt section appears out of nowhere for about 1.5 kilometers. But don't celebrate too early—the final stretch up to the plateau is genuinely rough and unforgiving. This isn't a casual cruise. Come prepared and respect what this mountain demands.
hardThe road to Palies Sinies in Corfu is not for timid drivers
🇬🇷 Greece
# Palies Sinies: Corfu's Hidden Mountain Ghost Town Perched at 475 meters (1,558 feet) above sea level in the northeastern corner of Corfu, Palies Sinies is one of those wonderfully remote villages that feels genuinely lost to time. This abandoned settlement sits nestled in the foothills of Mount Pantokrator, and getting there is half the adventure—seriously, bring a 4x4. The route starts from the Mount Pantokrator road and stretches 3.7 km (2.29 miles) of pure unpaved terrain. You'll gain 288 meters of elevation along the way, with some sections hitting a brutal 25% gradient. The narrow dirt track has zero guard rails, so this isn't the drive for nervous drivers. But if you're up for the challenge? The payoff is incredible. The views during the climb are absolutely stunning, and once you arrive at the village, the sea views are jaw-dropping. It's easy to see why Palies Sinies was built up here in the first place—locals chose this hilltop location centuries ago specifically to escape the pirates who plagued Corfu's coastal areas back in the day. Dating back to at least the 14th century, the village was eventually abandoned in the 1960s. Today, crumbling houses, an old church, and other stone structures remain, creating an eerie but fascinating snapshot of rural life frozen in time. If you're exploring Corfu and want to find one of the island's true hidden gems, this is it.
hardWhere is Mendel Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: the Mendel Pass, way up in the Southern Rhaetian Alps! You're driving in northern Italy, right on the border of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol (that's Bolzano province to be exact). This paved road is the SS42, winding about long from to . It's a popular spot, with restaurants and sun decks dotting the landscape — a perfect place to chill. Apparently, back in the day, it was a hotspot for aristocrats, so you know it's got history. The drive itself? Stunning! Think great panoramic views, wide hairpins, and plenty of places to pull over and soak it all in. Just a heads-up: the cliffs above can be a bit unstable, especially during thaws in the . So, keep an eye out. Oh, and no trailers allowed on this one. Speaking of , the pass is usually , but winter can bring short-term closures. And, if you're planning a weekend trip, be prepared for company—it gets busy then! Weekdays are much calmer if you're looking for a more secluded drive.