Top 12 Scenic Alpine Roads in Austria
Austria, europe
48 km
2,000 m
hard
Year-round
# Austria's Best Mountain Roads: A Driver's Dream
Austria is seriously a playground for road trip enthusiasts. We're talking jaw-dropping Alpine scenery, nail-biting hairpin turns, narrow tunnels carved into mountainsides, and elevation gains that'll make your head spin. If you love twisty roads and stunning vistas, this country absolutely delivers.
Here are 12 incredible drives that'll have you planning your Austrian road trip ASAP:
**Salzburg to Carinthia** | 48km | Up to 2,504m | Built 1935
36 turns, 12 hairpins, 12% gradient. Open May-October. Toll required.
**Carinthia Route** | 16km | Up to 1,732m | Built 1965
116 turns with 7 hairpins packed into a short stretch. 10% gradient. Open year-round. Toll required.
**Salzburg Pass** | 12km | Up to 1,628m | Built 1962
8 hairpins, 9% gradient. Year-round access. Toll required.
**Carinthia Alpine** | 34km | Up to 2,042m | Built 1979
52 turns with stunning scenery. Open May-October. Toll required.
**Carinthia Loop** | 14km | Up to 1,895m
10 hairpins, 10% gradient. Seasonal (May-October). Toll required.
**Tyrol-Vorarlberg Route** | 22km | Up to 2,032m | Built 1961
34 hairpins, 12% gradient. June-October. Toll required.
**Tyrol Highpass** | 26km | Up to 2,750m | Built 1980
29 hairpins, 12% gradient. Open year-round. Toll required.
**Tyrol Challenge** | 12km | Up to 2,479m | Built 1959
60 turns, 30 hairpins, 13% gradient. Intense! June-October. Toll required.
**Historic Tyrol** | 13km | Up to 1,806m | Built 1907
8 hairpins, 12% gradient. Open May-October. Toll required.
**Tyrol Scenic** | 7km | Up to 1,920m
Year-round access. Toll required.
**Tyrol Valley Road** | 32km | Up to 1,441m | Built 1923
17% gradient. Open year-round. No toll!
**Tyrol Epic** | 48km | Up to 2,020m | Built 1963
A long, rewarding drive through incredible terrain. May-October. Toll required.
Ready to experience Alpine driving at its finest? These roads are calling your name.
Where is it?
Top 12 Scenic Alpine Roads in Austria is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 47.3373, 13.7945
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,000 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 47.3373, 13.7945
Related Roads in europe
extremeThe wild road to Testa Grigia in the Alps
🇮🇹 Italy
# Testa Grigia: Europe's Alpine Adventure Ready to test your mettle at 3,471 meters (11,387 feet)? Welcome to Testa Grigia, one of Europe's most thrilling high-altitude peaks straddling the Swiss-Italian border in the stunning Pennine Alps. You'll find yourself perched between Switzerland's Valais canton and Italy's Valle d'Aosta region, hovering majestically above the Theodul Pass. At the summit sits Rifugio Guide del Cervino, a cozy mountain refuge perfect for catching your breath—literally and figuratively. Here's the real deal: the road to the top is a chairlift access trail that's completely unpaved and seriously steep. We're talking 30% gradients on some stretches that'll make your palms sweat. The surface starts with loose stones and gets progressively rockier as you climb higher, adding to the challenge. This isn't a year-round playground. The road typically opens for just a short window during summer, peaking around late August. And mother nature doesn't make it easy—expect ferocious winds (they're basically a permanent fixture here), surprise snowfall even in summer, and bone-chilling temperatures in winter. If you're an adrenaline junkie seeking one of the continent's most extreme driving experiences, Testa Grigia is calling your name.
hardThe road to Heimischgarten in Valais isn’t an easy one
🇨🇠Switzerland
# Heimischgarten Pass: A Thrilling Alpine Adventure Ready for some serious mountain driving? Heimischgarten sits pretty at 2,770m (9,087ft) in Switzerland's Valais region, nestled in the Visp district near the Italian border. This isn't your average scenic drive—it's a legitimate high-altitude challenge that'll test both your vehicle and your nerve. The real prize? Once you conquer the pass, you're rewarded with access to Grüebusee, a stunning alpine lake perched even higher at 2,862m (9,389ft). But getting there is no walk in the park. Starting from Saas-Balen at the bridge over the Vispa, you're looking at 12.9 km (8 miles) of pure mountain warfare. Your elevation gain? A whopping 1,278m with an average gradient of 9.90%—and that climbs to a gut-wrenching 20% in the steepest sections. This is strictly 4x4 territory with high clearance a non-negotiable must. The unpaved road treats you to narrow passages, loose gravel, and teeth-rattling steep sections that demand respect and skill. And here's the kicker: Mother Nature keeps this alpine playground locked down from October through June, making the summer season your only window to attempt this beast. One of Switzerland's highest driveable roads? Absolutely. Not for the faint of heart? Definitely. But if you've got the guts and the right gear, Heimischgarten delivers an unforgettable alpine experience.
moderateWhat Road Has the Longest Straight Section in Spain?
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: cruising down the N-301 in Spain. You're somewhere between Minaya (Albacete) and El Provencio (Cuenca), and get ready, because you’re about to experience something wild. This legendary road boasts Spain's longest straight shot – a whopping 23.2 km (that's over 14 miles!) without a single bend. Seriously, it's straight as an arrow! This road isn't just about smooth sailing; it's packed with history too. Word has it that it was the very road a king used to sneak out of the Royal Palace of Madrid and hightail it into exile from the port of Cartagena. Now, if heights and thrills are more your thing, check out the JF-7038 up at Collado de los Cadavales. It's a whole different kind of road trip, full of breathtaking views and maybe a few white knuckles!
hardWhere is Col de Moissiere?
🇫🇷 France
Hey adventurers! Let me tell you about the Col de Moissière, a seriously stunning mountain pass nestled in the Hautes-Alpes department of France. We're talking Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, so you already know the scenery's gonna be epic. This baby climbs to 1,575m (that's 5,167ft!) in the Massif des Écrins, and the whole ride is paved – follow the D213T. Don't get too comfy though, it’s not all smooth sailing. Expect some bumpy, narrow sections and seriously steep inclines that top out around 14.6%! Clocking in at 18.6 km (11.55 miles) between Saint-Léger-les-Mélèzes and La Bâtie-Neuve, it’s perfect for a chill bike ride. Just be prepared for some huffing and puffing on those steeper bits! Trust me, though, the views are worth it.