Travel Guide to Alpspitze

Travel Guide to Alpspitze

Germany, europe

Length

14 km

Elevation

2,091 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alpspitze is a stunning high-altitude peak sitting pretty at 2,091m (6,860ft) in Bavaria, Germany—and it's seriously one of the highest drives in the country. The real showstopper? The AlpspiX Viewing Platform at the summit (also called Osterfelderkopf), where two incredible curved metal walkways jut out 13 meters over the cliff, crossing each other in an X-shape. It's absolutely wild. The views are breathtaking, though fair warning: it gets seriously windy and cold up there. But the payoff is huge—there are restaurants and shops to grab a bite, plenty of space to wander around, and Instagram-worthy photo spots everywhere.

Perched in southern Bavaria near the Austrian border, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. The road to the summit is completely unpaved with some seriously narrow, steep sections that'll get your heart racing. Winter? Forget about it—it's basically impassable then. The whole route is 14 km (8.69 miles) starting from Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a popular ski resort town.

Nestled in the dramatic Wetterstein mountain range, this legendary route has an interesting history. The trail got shut down back in 2016 for construction work, and here's the thing—motor vehicles aren't allowed on the road anymore. So while you can't drive it these days, the hike up is an unforgettable adventure for those looking to experience one of Germany's most incredible alpine destinations.

Where is it?

Travel Guide to Alpspitze is located in Germany (europe). Coordinates: 51.9496, 10.5112

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Germany
Continent
europe
Length
14 km
Max Elevation
2,091 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
51.9496, 10.5112

Related Roads in europe

Where is Portillo de Lunada?hard

Where is Portillo de Lunada?

🇪🇸 Spain

Okay, road trip enthusiasts, buckle up! We're heading to Portillo de Lunada, nestled high in the Cordillera Cantábrica, right on the border where Cantabria kisses Castile and León in northern Spain. This ancient pass, used since Roman times, climbs from Espinosa de los Monteros up to San Roque de Riomiera through the stunning Collados del Asón Natural Park. Clocking in at just under 20 miles, this route isn't for the faint of heart. While usually open year-round, winter can bring closures, so check ahead. Expect a maximum gradient of 12% on paved sections that wind their way to the top. Be warned though, this beauty comes with a bite! Keep an eye out for potential rockslides. The views? Totally worth it. But keep your wits about you – this isn't a Sunday drive.

A Narrow Paved Road to Lago del Sambuco in Ticinohard

A Narrow Paved Road to Lago del Sambuco in Ticino

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Lago del Sambuco: A Heart-Pounding Alpine Adventure Tucked away in Switzerland's Leventina district in the canton of Ticino, Lago del Sambuco sits pretty at 1,435 meters (4,708 feet) above sea level. This stunning high-mountain reservoir is a bucket-list destination for thrill-seeking drivers. The 13.8-kilometer (8.57-mile) route from Lavizzara is fully paved, which is great—but don't let that fool you. This isn't your typical leisurely alpine drive. You're looking at a 716-meter elevation gain with an average gradient of 5.18%, with some sections hitting a punishing 10%. The road winds through a dramatic series of 12 hairpin turns as it climbs, and honestly, they're as nail-biting as they come. The real white-knuckle moment? That's the 3-kilometer stretch hugging the eastern shore of the lake. The narrow passage here is legitimately terrifying—it's enough to make you grateful for modern safety barriers. Before those were installed, this section must have been absolutely hair-raising. Once you conquer the lake section, the road continues onward to Lago del Naret if you're brave enough for more. This isn't just a drive; it's an adrenaline-pumping experience through some of Switzerland's most spectacular—and demanding—mountain scenery.

Faro do Monte Farohard

Faro do Monte Faro

🇪🇸 Spain

# Monte Faro Lighthouse Road: A Wild Galician Adventure Picture this: you're behind the wheel of a 4x4, grinding your way up a rugged coastal track toward one of Spain's most dramatic lighthouses. Welcome to the Monte Faro road on the Cíes Islands, an archipelago hanging off the coast of Pontevedra in Galicia. Fair warning—this isn't your typical scenic drive. The road is exclusively for 4x4 vehicles, closed to regular cars, and for good reason. You'll be tackling 10 seriously steep hairpin turns while the Atlantic Ocean crashes directly below you. It's intense, it's thrilling, and it's absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment. Built between 1851 and 1853, this 178-meter-high lighthouse sits at the crown of the islands within Atlantic Islands National Park. But here's the thing: weather here is no joke. Strong winds are basically permanent, and you might encounter rain, electrical storms, and sudden weather shifts without warning. Come prepared and bring a camera—seriously, you'll want to capture everything. The payoff? Unreal. The views are genuinely spectacular, with the lighthouse perched dramatically against the coastline. Once you reach the top, you've got a panoramic viewpoint that showcases the entire archipelago: all three islands, their jaw-dropping cliffs, pristine beaches, and the whole Vigo estuary spreading out below you. This is the kind of drive that reminds you why you fell in love with road tripping in the first place.

38 hairpin turns to Col de la Croix de Coeur in Switzerlandhard

38 hairpin turns to Col de la Croix de Coeur in Switzerland

🇨🇭 Switzerland

# Col de la Croix de Coeur Buckle up for one seriously epic ride! This high mountain pass sits at 2,178m (7,145ft) in Switzerland's Valais region, straddling the line between the Entremont and Martigny districts in the southwestern corner of the country. The Route de la Croix-de-Coeur stretches 43 km (26 miles) from Sembrancher up to Riddes, and let me tell you—it doesn't pull any punches. You're looking at a mix of paved and unpaved terrain, with that final stretch rolling along a gravel track that'll keep you on your toes. The gradient ramps up to a gnarly 12% in places, and you'll navigate five tunnels and a whopping 38 hairpin turns. Fair warning: most of them aren't protected by guardrails, so confidence and steady hands are essential. The payoff? Absolutely stunning panoramas. From the summit, you'll catch incredible views of the Combins and Mont Blanc to the south, while the Bernese Alps dominate the northern horizon. There's even a little restaurant up top (Restaurant La Croix-de-Coeur) where you can celebrate your conquest with a well-deserved meal, plus a parking area to catch your breath and snap some photos. This isn't a casual Sunday drive—it's a thrilling mountain challenge that rewards the brave with unforgettable scenery.