When was the road to Sölk Pass built?
Austria, europe
39.6 km
1,793 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Austrian state of Styria, hitting up the Sölk Pass. This road, L704 (aka Erzherzog-Johann-Straße), clocks in at about 40 kilometers, snaking its way between Schöder and Stein an der Enns.
You're climbing to almost 1,800 meters (5,882 feet) above sea level, so be prepared for some serious views. The road's been around in some form since, like, the Bronze Age, but it's been fully paved since '86.
Now, heads up: this isn't a Sunday drive. Expect plenty of curves, some spots get pretty narrow, and hairpin turns are definitely part of the fun. Some sections get super steep, pushing a 15% gradient. Watch out for frost damage in the summer, too. Big rigs, take note: buses over 12 meters and 16 tonnes aren't allowed.
The Sölk Pass usually shuts down for the winter, opening back up around May. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to an hour and a half to enjoy the drive. At the top, check out the Sölkpass Kapelle. The mountain views are absolutely stunning, making the whole trip totally worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 39.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,793 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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