Where is Bergstation Schaufeljoch?
Austria, europe
7.6 km
1,150 m
extreme
Year-round
Bergstation Schaufeljoch
high mountain cable car station
above sea level, located in the
Austrian state of Tyrol
highest roads in Europe
Where is Bergstation Schaufeljoch?
The cable car station is located in the
western part of Austria
. At the exit from the station (not always open) is the
"Top of Tyrol" viewing platform
, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of
Stubai Alps and the Dolomites
Is the road to Bergstation Schaufeljoch unpaved?
Stubai Glacier ski area
, the road to the summit is
service road for maintaining the chairlift
closed to private vehicles
When is the road to Bergstation Schaufeljoch open?
completely impassable in winter
very demanding challenge
extremely steep climb
How long is the road to Bergstation Schaufeljoch?
Starting from Mutterbergalm
7.6 km (4.72 miles) long
. Over this distance, the
elevation gain is 1,150m (3,773ft)
average gradient of 15.13%
. However, the route includes
alternating flat sections
extremely steep ramps exceeding 20%
An iconic paved road to Furkajoch in the Austrian Alps
Vizze Pass: An Awe-Inspiring Route in the Zillertal Alps
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our
to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click
to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 7.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,150 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in europe
moderateCrossing the wooden Laghi di Cedec Bridge
🇮🇹 Italy
# Laghi di Cedèc Bridge: A High-Alpine Adventure Perched at a breathtaking 2,743 meters (8,999 feet) in Sondrio province in northern Italy, the Laghi di Cedèc bridge is seriously one of the most jaw-dropping bridges you'll ever lay eyes on. Nestled within the stunning Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio, this charming wooden crossing spans just 2 meters over a rushing glacial river as you make your way toward the pristine lake beyond. Fair warning though: this isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this route, and Mother Nature here is no joke. Wind is basically a constant companion at this elevation—we're talking serious gusts that whip through all year long. Even during the summer months, you might wake up to fresh snowfall, which should tell you something about the unpredictable weather patterns up here. Winter? Absolutely brutal. Temperatures drop dramatically, and the road becomes completely impassable for most of the year—typically closed from October through June depending on conditions. But when the brief summer window opens up? It's absolutely worth the effort. This is high-alpine exploring at its finest, combining world-class scenery with genuine adventure.
hardA paved road to Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de la Salette
🇫🇷 France
# Notre Dame de la Salette Sanctuary: A Scenic Alpine Drive Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, the Notre Dame de la Salette Sanctuary sits pretty at 1,787 meters (5,862 feet) above sea level. Getting there? A breeze, really—the D212C is a smooth, well-maintained asphalt road that winds its way up with plenty of satisfying curves without ever feeling too demanding. It's wide, not overly steep, and blessedly free of the bumper-to-bumper crowds you'd find on busier Alpine routes. As you climb, you'll pass a poignant memorial and cemetery just a few kilometers up the road—it honors the 51 people who tragically lost their lives when an airplane crashed into the nearby Grande Tête de l'Obiou peak back in 1950. The site is beautifully maintained and worth a respectful pause. Once you reach the summit, you'll find everything you need to make a day of it: a welcoming hotel, a solid restaurant, boutique shops, and a bookstore. Whether you're stopping for a quick bite or planning to linger and soak in the mountain atmosphere, the sanctuary has you covered. It's a rewarding drive with some genuine Alpine charm.
hardThe abandoned Tunnel du Mortier in France
🇫🇷 France
# Tunnel du Mortier: France's Haunting Mountain Passage Tucked away in the Isère department of southeastern France, the Tunnel du Mortier sits at a dramatic 1,370 meters (4,494 feet) in the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This quirky piece of mountain infrastructure has quite the backstory. Originally built back in 1911, the tunnel got a major makeover in 1968 for the Grenoble Winter Olympics. A plaque at the north entrance commemorates the upgrade, which was officially inaugurated on September 30th by Louis Verger. But here's where things get interesting: the road didn't last much longer. In April 1992, a massive rockfall—roughly 20,000 cubic meters of rock—came crashing down just below the summit of the Buffe, destroying the access road and making the whole situation dangerously unstable. The kicker? This happened just a kilometer from another epic collapse in 1971 (50,000 cubic meters). Given the road's limited importance and the ongoing threat of more slides, authorities threw in the towel and closed it for good. These days, the two-lane tunnel (all 500 meters of it) sees hikers and mountain bikers instead of cars. The first 100 meters are straightforward, but the middle section gets seriously dark—bring a light. The smooth interior is blessedly obstacle-free, though you'll spot a few rocks toward the Isère end where daylight returns. The approach road, D218, is paved but narrow with brutal gradients hitting 12% on some sections. The southeastern side is still drivable up to the tunnel, but the northwestern side has completely collapsed. Beyond the tunnel, a massive rockslide blocks any further progress, though adventurous souls with proper caution can cross it to descend into the Vercors. A forest track was briefly developed in 2017, but a landslide during winter 2021-2022 shut that down too. Mother Nature clearly has the final say here.
hardDriving the international Pavlic Pass
🇦🇹 Austria
# Pavlič Pass Nestled in the stunning Julian Alps, Pavlič Pass sits at 1,349m (4,425ft) and marks the scenic border between Slovenia and Austria. Named after a local farmer, this charming mountain crossing connects Lower Styria in northern Slovenia with Austria's Carinthia region. The fully paved route stretches 19.3km (11.99 miles) from Solčava in Slovenia to Bad Vellach in Austria, running east-west across some seriously gorgeous Alpine terrain. Known as the Seeberg Highway (B 82) on the Austrian side and Route 428 in Slovenia, this pass has quite the history—the first road opened way back in 1894, though it didn't get fully paved until 2000. Fair warning: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The road climbs steeply with some sections hitting a gnarly 15.7% gradient, so grip your steering wheel tight. But that's half the fun, right? You'll weave through dense forests, pop out into charming villages, and cruise past Alpine meadows—the scenery shifts constantly and keeps you engaged the whole way. Cyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts absolutely swoon over this route when the weather's cooperating. The narrow sections add a bit of technical challenge, making it perfect if you're looking for something with real character. Just pick a clear day, take your time, and soak in those mountain views.