Where is the Felbertauern Tunnel?
Austria, europe
5.3 km
1,650 m
moderate
Year-round
Cruising through Austria and want to avoid those crazy high alpine passes? Check out the Felbertauerntunnel! Nestled between Salzburg and Tyrol, inside the stunning Hohe Tauern National Park, this tunnel clocks in at a cool 1,650m (5,413ft) above sea level.
Before this beauty opened in '67, getting from East Tyrol to Innsbruck was a trek through either South Tyrol or over the Großglockner High Alpine Road (only open in summer!). But now, you can zip right through this 5.3 km (3.3 mile) marvel.
The whole Felbertauern road (B 108) experience is about 65 km (40 miles) from Mittersill to Lienz. The road is fully paved and shielded by avalanche galleries, making it a pretty smooth ride. While gradients can hit 9.3% in places, most of the route is modern and easy to handle. Plus, it's generally open year-round, so you can enjoy those mountain views no matter the season. Just be ready for a toll – it's worth it!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 5.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,650 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardSant Mamet
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Sant Mamet is calling your name. This bad boy peaks at 1,391m (4,564ft) in the Noguera region of Catalonia, Spain. The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, rocks, and a whole lot of shaking and bumping. If you're not comfortable off-roading, maybe sit this one out. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4! Up top, you'll find a chapel (also named Sant Mamet) and a small shelter to escape the weather. Be warned, the climb is STEEP and long, mostly winding through woods. But the views? Totally worth it! This drive is a thrill, with scenery that'll knock your socks off. On a clear day, you can see all of Lleida, the Pyrenees, the Cadi mountains, Port del Compte, Montserrat, and, of course, a killer view of the Montsec range right in front of you. Trust me, you'll want to snap a million photos on this unforgettable trip!
moderateDriving through Vielha Tunnel in Spain's Pyrenees
🇪🇸 Spain
# Tunel de Vielha Nestled high in the Pyrenees at 1,635m (5,364ft), the Tunel de Vielha sits in Catalonia's northwestern corner in the Province of Lleida. This tunnel has quite the backstory—the Aran valley used to be seriously cut off from the rest of Spain, especially when winter snow decided to block access for weeks on end. Back in 1948, they built the Alfonso XIII Tunnel, a real engineering feat at 5.24km long—the world's longest road tunnel at the time. Fast forward to 2000, and it had earned a pretty dark reputation as Europe's most dangerous tunnel due to outdated safety features. That's why they opened the newer Juan Carlos I Tunnel in 2007. These days, the old tunnel mainly serves as a backup route for hazardous cargo trucks. Today's version connects Vielha (the valley's main hub) to the Alta Ribagorça area via the N230. The fully paved route stretches 5.2km (3.25 miles) with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane, with grades that climb up to 7.5%. You can generally drive it year-round, though expect occasional closures during gnarly winter weather. Want to tackle the approaches? From Vielha, it's a 12.3km climb gaining 664 meters (averaging 5.4%). Coming from Villaler? That's a slightly easier 18.7km push with 656 meters of elevation gain at a gentler 3.5% average gradient. Either way, you're in for some serious mountain scenery.
hardWhere is San Lucio Pass?
🇮🇹 Italy
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Switzerland and Italy, way up high at 1,541 meters on Passo San Lucio! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a rugged, unpaved adventure through Val Cavargna and Val Colla, with views that'll make your jaw drop. The road's only 4.1 kilometers, connecting the SP11 in Italy to Alpe Cottino in Switzerland, but every meter is an experience. You'll want a 4x4, or at least something with high clearance, especially for that super steep final push. Keep an eye out for the old church and refuge huts near the top! Just a heads up: this road's a no-go for private vehicles, but it's still totally drivable and unbelievably scenic. Oh, and definitely don't plan this trip in winter – it's buried under snow! But if you're up for an off-road escapade in the Lugano Prealps, Passo San Lucio will leave you breathless (literally and figuratively!).
moderatePostavaru
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because Postavaru Peak in Brașov County, Romania, is calling your name! Towering at 1,765m (5,790ft), this is one of Romania's loftiest drives. Now, fair warning: this isn't your typical Sunday cruise. The gravel road to the top is... let's just say "bumpy" and demands respect. With that kind of altitude, expect winter snow to play a big role, and closures are definitely possible if Mother Nature's feeling feisty. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But trust me, the views are worth it. You'll find a communication tower chilling at the summit, marking your epic achievement. Get prepped and get ready for an unforgettable Romanian adventure!