When was the Pustertaler Hohenstrasse road built?
Austria, europe
32 km
1,441 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the Pustertal High Alpine Road in Tyrol, Austria, and the views are absolutely killer. Seriously, this road is a twisty-turny dream (or maybe a slightly-scary dream, depending on your comfort level!).
Built way back in 1923, this free-to-drive beauty snakes for 32 km (almost 20 miles!) between Leisach and Abfaltersbach. Imagine yourself winding through meadows, dense forests, and those ridiculously charming villages you see on postcards.
Now, be warned, this isn't a straight shot. We're talking countless curves and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 17%! You'll climb over 700 vertical meters, eventually topping out at 1,441m (that's over 4,700 feet!) above sea level. The best part? It's open year-round, so you can experience the Pustertal High Alpine Road in any season! Get ready for an unforgettable drive.
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 32 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,441 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardA brutal road to Col de Lauzun in the French Alps
馃嚝馃嚪 France
# Col de Lauzun Picture this: you're perched nearly 2,800 meters up in the French Alps, surrounded by the rugged Massif de la Vanoise range in the Auvergne-Rh么ne-Alpes region. Welcome to Col de Lauzun, one of France's most extreme mountain passes. This isn't your typical alpine drive. The 8-kilometer journey from Val Thorens ski resort to Cime de Caron follows an unpaved chairlift service road that's basically only passable if you're rolling in a serious 4x4. Think narrow, rocky terrain with steep ski-piste sections that'll test your nerves鈥攚e're talking gradients hitting 30% in places. The surface is slippery and unforgiving, with brutally rough sections that demand respect and skill. The reward? You'll be conquering one of France's highest accessible roads while traversing some genuinely stunning alpine scenery in the southeastern corner of the country. Just keep in mind this is a strictly seasonal adventure. From September through May, the pass is completely impassable, so save this one for the summer months if you're feeling adventurous enough to tackle it.
hardPsiloritis Mountain
馃嚞馃嚪 Greece
# Psiloritis Mountain: Crete's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Ready to tackle one of Crete's most thrilling mountain routes? Welcome to Psiloritis Mountain (also called Mount Ida), a beast of a peak towering at 1,570 meters (5,150 feet) in the Rethymno region. This isn't your typical Sunday drive鈥攊t's a serious adventure for experienced off-roaders only. The road up is pure unpaved chaos: gravel, rocks, and relentless bumps that'll test your vehicle and your nerves. A 4x4 is basically non-negotiable here. If mountain driving isn't your jam, honestly, skip it. Same goes if heights make you queasy鈥攖his trail climbs steeply with hairpin turns that seem to spiral endlessly toward the sky. Weather matters big time. Dry conditions are challenging enough, but throw rain into the mix and those muddy sections become genuinely treacherous. Time your visit wisely. Make it to the top though, and you're rewarded with mountain huts where you can catch your breath and take in some seriously epic views. It's the kind of drive that separates the casual travelers from the real adventurers鈥攁nd the accomplishment? Absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment.
hardErmita de Santa Lucia
馃嚜馃嚫 Spain
# Ermita de Santa Lucia: A Brutal Climb in Castell贸 Ready for a serious adrenaline rush? Head to Castell贸 in Spain's northern Valencian Community to tackle this beast of a climb. This 3.7km route winds up to the small Ermita de Santa Lucia church, sitting pretty at 312 meters (1,023 feet) above sea level in the Sierra de Irta mountain range. Here's the deal: this road is *no joke*. The asphalt is legit, but it's narrow and relentlessly steep. Sure, the average gradient hangs around 8.58%, but don't let that fool you鈥攖here are sections that'll make your palms sweat, with grades hitting 14-20%. The steepest? A jaw-dropping 25%. You'll understand why this route has earned its reputation as seriously brutal. The road isn't just a local favorite either. This climb has been featured in Spain's prestigious Vuelta bicycle race, so you know you're tackling something genuinely challenging. The scenery through the Sierra de Irta is stunning, though you might be too focused on conquering those hairpins to fully appreciate it. If you're hunting for an intense drive that'll test your skills and your car's brakes, this is your spot.
moderateColle di Perascritta
馃嚠馃嚬 Italy
# Colle di Perascritta Ready for an alpine adventure? Colle di Perascritta sits pretty at 2,154 meters (7,066 feet) in Piedmont, Italy, and it's absolutely worth the journey. The route up鈥攐fficially called Strada del Lago di Monastero, or Alpe Costapiana if you're feeling local鈥攊s a gravel road that doesn't pull any punches. Expect steep grades and surfaces that get sketchy when wet, so timing your visit for dry conditions is pretty important. Winter? Forget about it鈥攖his pass is completely inaccessible once the snow rolls in. But here's what makes the effort worthwhile: as you climb, you'll discover the stunning Lago di Monastero, a serene mountain lake near the summit that's the perfect reward for tackling those gnarly switchbacks. The scenery is legitimately gorgeous, with that classic high-alpine landscape that'll have you reaching for your camera constantly. What adds another layer of character to this drive is the presence of several war memorials scattered along the route鈥攓uiet reminders of the region's complex history. So grab a full tank of gas, check your tire tread, and head out on a clear day. This is the kind of road trip that sticks with you.