
Where is Arlberg Pass?
Austria, europe
13.2 km
1,804 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, road trip lovers! We're heading to Austria for a spin on the legendary Arlberg Pass!
This high-altitude beauty sits way up at 1,804 meters (that's nearly 6,000 feet!). You'll find it nestled between Vorarlberg and Tyrol, right in western Austria.
The original road dates way back to 1787, spruced up with a surface in 1824! Don't worry, though, it's totally paved these days – Federal Highway B 197 to be exact. Expect a smooth ride with plenty of moderate curves and some seriously fun hairpin turns as you climb the western side. Be warned, some sections are pretty steep, with gradients hitting up to 13%!
The pass itself stretches for about 13.2 kilometers (around 8.2 miles) between Stuben am Arlberg and St. Anton am Arlberg. At the summit, you’ll find a café-bar and a large parking lot, perfect for soaking in the views.
Perched high in the Rhaetian Alps, this road is generally open year-round, so you can experience its beauty no matter the season!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,804 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Route de Presles?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits on the Route de Presles! This isn't just a road; it's a wild ride through the heart of the French Alps in the Isère department. This 8.9 km (5.53 miles) strip of pavement connects Pont-en-Royans to Presles, running south to north, and it's got "balcony road" written all over it. Think open tunnels and sections carved straight into the rock face. Prepare for narrow lanes, blind corners and possible rockfalls. Seriously, keep your horn handy for those tight spots (and slow down, obviously!). This route is popular with cyclists and pedestrians so keep your eyes peeled. Speaking of being prepared, this road sometimes closes for maintenance due to landslides, so check conditions before you go. And while you're cruising, watch for any rocks that have made their way onto the road. The best time to experience this beauty is May to September. The Route de Presles winds its way up along the edge of the Cirque de Choranche. The views? Unbelievable! You'll be driving through a mix of pine, boxwood, and oak trees, with a hint of Mediterranean aroma thanks to the cliffs creating a microclimate. The road snakes through hairpin bends, climbing above the Gorges de la Bourne with views of the Hauts Plateaux du Vercors. Make sure you stop at the belvedere of Col de Toutes Aures for a panoramic view across the south Vercors and the Isère plain.
moderateIs Road 550 in Iceland paved?
🇮🇸 Iceland
Okay, picture this: you're in Western Iceland, ready for a wild ride! Road 550, or Kaldadalsvegur as the locals call it, is calling your name. This isn't your typical Sunday drive – think rugged landscapes and views that'll make your jaw drop! While you don't *legally* need a 4x4, trust me, you'll WANT one. We're talking unpaved roads, potholes, and stones galore – but no tricky river crossings! This former F-road is pretty flat, so no crazy steep climbs. Fun fact: this road's an OG! Built back in the 1830s as a horse trail, connecting settlements. Now, it's a 40km (25 mile) shot from Thingvellir to Húsafell, the shortest of the highland routes, earning it the nickname "highlands for beginners." Give yourself 2-3 hours to cruise this baby without stops. Seriously though, check the weather before you go – rain can make things interesting! Many rental companies frown upon taking their 2WDs on this route, for good reason. Prepare for a Mars-like experience in Kaldidalur, surrounded by stunning, rugged terrain. This is one of Iceland's highest roads, reaching 720m (2,362ft)! Keep in mind, it's usually only open for a few months of the year, roughly June through September, depending on the snow. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
hardWhere are Gorges de la Blanche?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: the Gorges de la Blanche in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region of France. This isn't just a road, it's a balcony seat to some serious natural drama! Think a canyon carved by the Blanche river, making for a truly unforgettable drive. You'll find this gem nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. The road, known as D900C, winds its way alongside the river, taking you on a 14.9 km (9.25 miles) adventure from Espinasses to Selonnet. Now, let's be real, this road has character. It's paved, sure, but the surface has seen better days. Keep an eye out for rockfalls – nature's little surprises! And speaking of surprises, there are some seriously tight spots, so maybe not the best pick if you get queasy easily. Some parts are only 3.8m high and 9m wide! Expect tunnels, towering cliffs, and quirky roadside pillars. The road is narrow, and you may need to take turns with oncoming traffic. If you’re up for it, you can head up to the Col de l’Hysope via a narrow road, or take a gravel road up to Col de Cibieres in the Alps. It's all part of the adventure!
extremeDriving the steep road to Grosser Speikkogel in the Lavanttal Alps
🇦🇹 Austria
# Grosser Speikkogel: Austria's Secret Summit Road Nestled in the far eastern reaches of Carinthia, right on the border with Styria, sits Grosser Speikkogel—a commanding 2,130m peak that's been turning heads since Roman times. Back then, it held serious military importance, and honestly, it still does today. The paved road climbing up from Parkplatz Koralpe is a relatively short but seriously intense 4.3 km affair. What it lacks in distance, it makes up for in attitude—we're talking steep gradients that max out at a lung-busting 20.4%, with an average gradient of 11.16% and a total elevation gain of 480 meters. The final kilometers? They're the real deal, ramping up the challenge when your legs are already feeling it. Built back in 1976, this route isn't exactly open to everyone. It's closed to the general public, which actually adds to its mystique. But if you could drive it, you'd be heading toward some seriously impressive infrastructure—the summit is crowned with radio and TV facilities, plus two massive radar domes belonging to the Austrian Army. These are part of their "Goldhood" air traffic surveillance system, keeping watch over the skies from one of the region's most strategic vantage points. It's the kind of road that tells a story—from ancient military outposts to modern defense systems—all wrapped up in 4.3 kilometers of Austrian Alpine drama.