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
moderateTake the Scenic N339 and Discover Col de Zezere
🇵🇹 Portugal
Col de Zezere: Portugal's best-kept secret? Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the Castelo Branco district of Portugal lies a seriously awesome mountain pass: Col de Zezere. This fully paved road (N339) winds its way up to a lofty 1,615m (5,298ft), making it one of the highest drives in the country. Starting from Covilhã and stretching 36.3km (22.55 miles) to Sabugueiro, this route is all about the views. Seriously, prepare to stop at every lookout point because the scenery is breathtaking. Nestled in the Serra da Estrela mountains, it's steep in sections, with gradients hitting a punchy 16% in places — so keep those gears low! Generally open year-round, winter can bring closures due to snow and ice, so check the conditions before you go. But trust us, if you're after stunning vistas and a thrilling drive, Col de Zezere needs to be on your Portugal road trip itinerary.
moderateWhat’s at the Summit of Paljenik?
🌍 Bosnia
Alright adventure seekers, let's talk Paljenik! Nestled in Central Bosnia, this peak clocks in at a serious altitude. What's up top? Well, besides bragging rights, you'll find the Travnik radio prijemnik. Spooky fact: this whole area used to be a military communication hub, complete with underground bunkers back in the day! Now, the road... it's unpaved and, let's be real, pretty rough. Some folks seriously advise against off-roading here. Starting from the paved road near Dolac, you're looking at about 9 kilometers of challenging terrain. Over that distance, you'll climb quite a bit, gaining a lot of altitude. The average gradient is pretty steep, so be prepared! Oh, and a heads up: from October to June, this route is usually snowed in and totally impassable. So, plan your trip accordingly! Get ready for epic views and a true off-road experience on Paljenik!
hardHow to reach the summit of Monte Gran Costa?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Monte Gran Costa, a seriously epic peak in the Italian Alps. This isn't just any mountain; it's a historical hotspot right along the famous Assietta Ridge in Piedmont. To get here, you'll be cruising the Strada dell'Assietta (SP173), then peel off onto a short, unpaved military track that climbs to the top. At 2,615 meters (that's over 8,500 feet!), the views are absolutely insane. Seriously, you can see the Susa Valley on one side and the Chisone Valley on the other! Plus, you're surrounded by the Gran Bosco di Salbertrand Park – nature's eye candy. The summit itself is a flat plateau, perfect for chilling and soaking it all in after your drive. But, heads up, this isn't a Sunday drive. The road is gravel, rocky, and narrow in spots. You'll definitely want a vehicle with some decent ground clearance. And remember, it's a high-altitude adventure, so expect thin air and the chance of sudden weather changes. This place is only open during the summer, so plan accordingly. Oh, and history buffs, listen up! Monte Gran Costa was super strategic back in the late 1800s. You can explore the ruins of the Batteria del Gran Costa, a military fort, including what's left of a huge barracks that once housed tons of soldiers. It's pretty incredible to see these old stone structures still standing.
hardWhere is Jankov Kamen?
🌍 Serbia
Okay, adventure junkies, let's talk about Jankov Kamen in Serbia's Kopaonik Mountains! Picture this: you're inching your way up a steep, unpaved road, dry and rocky as can be. Seriously, 4x4 is a MUST. The view from the top? Unreal. The summit rocks a communications tower, but who cares when you're gazing out over what feels like the whole world? Just a heads up: winter here is no joke. We're talking crazy strong winds and snowdrifts that can bury your car. Seriously, snow can stick around in the shadows year-round. So aim for summer, late spring, or fall to make the most of it. And definitely check the weather forecast before you go—it can change in a heartbeat! The climb to the top is about 13km of pure adrenaline, with a serious elevation gain and an average gradient that'll test your driving skills. Get ready for a wild ride!