Why is it called Grossglockner High Alpine Road?
Austria, europe
48 km
3,798 m
moderate
Year-round
Get ready for a wild ride on the Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße! This Austrian beauty is a 48-kilometer alpine adventure linking Salzburg and Carinthia, named after Austria's highest peak, the majestic Großglockner. Picture this: 36 hairpin turns snaking through the heart of Hohe Tauern National Park.
You'll climb to a breathtaking 2,504 meters (8,215 feet) where the views are simply unreal. Want to go even higher? A side road will take you to the Edelweissspitze, the highest point you can drive to on this road, at 2,571m (8,435ft)! Give yourself at least 90 minutes for the drive, but honestly, you'll want to spend the whole day soaking it all in.
Keep in mind, this road is typically open from early May to late October, but weather at this altitude can be unpredictable, so check before you go. This historic route follows ancient trails used for millennia and was built in the 1930s. You'll find plenty of places to eat and explore along the way. Just imagine cruising through green pastures and rugged landscapes, surrounded by stunning mountain peaks - it's an unforgettable experience!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 48 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,798 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
hardWhere is Transursoaia Road?
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, road trip lovers, let's talk Transursoaia (that's DN1R if you're feeling official), a seriously awesome mountain road straddling Cluj and Alba counties in Romania! Nestled in the northern part of the country, inside the Apuseni Natural Park, this road is a must-do. Most of the 80 km (almost 50 miles) is paved, though you'll find some gravel sections that add to the adventure. Start in Albac (Alba County) and head north towards Huedin (Cluj County) for the full experience. Trust me, you want to drive this one during daylight – the views are incredible! Speaking of adventure, get ready for some steep climbs and 15 hairpin turns! Some spots get a little narrow, so keep your eyes peeled. High in the Apuseni Mountains, you'll climb to 1,324 meters (that's 4,343 feet!) above sea level. Word to the wise: this road is usually closed from November to April because the weather gets pretty wild up there!
hardDriving the scenic P16 Road with stunning views of Shkodra Lake
🌍 Montenegro
Okay, picture this: You're cruising in Montenegro, hugging the southern edge of stunning Shkodra Lake. This isn't just any drive; it's the P16, a 51.2km (31.81 miles) thrill ride from Virpazar to Vladimir in Bar Municipality! Get ready for hairpin turns galore — seriously, they just keep coming! The road is paved, but don't let that fool you. It gets narrow and steep in sections, so be prepared to hug the edges and maybe do some strategic maneuvering if you meet another car. Blind corners? Yep, got those too, so take it slow and steady. But the views? Totally worth it! We're talking epic, sustained vistas of Skadar Lake, the biggest lake in the Balkans. Imagine crystal-clear water, maybe even a glimpse of that medieval monastery on its own little island. Plus, you'll pass through charming old villages that'll make you feel like you've stepped back in time. Trust me, this road is a total blast, delivering both a challenge and scenery that'll make your jaw drop.
hardDriving the Wild Unpaved Road to Colombardo Pass in Piedmont
🇮🇹 Italy
Passo del Colombardo is a high mountain pass sitting at 1,898m (6,227ft) above sea level in the Metropolitan City of Turin, Italy. Nestled in the Piedmont region of northern Italy, this Alpine gem is home to a charming little church at the summit called Santuario della Madonna degli Angeli. The pass gets its name—Col de Colombardo in French—from a distinctive wind that sweeps in from Lombardy. Once you reach the top, you'll find several minor unpaved roads branching off to some seriously scenic spots like Alpe della Portia, Alpeggio Tomba di Matolda, Truc Muandette, and Alpe del Rat. Here's the real deal: the road up is mostly unpaved, recently renovated, but don't let that fool you. It's narrow, steep as they come, with some sections hitting gradients of 18.5%—no joke. Winter? Forget about it. The road closes when the snow rolls in. If you're starting from Forno, the village to the north, you're looking at a 9.6 km (5.96 mile) push to the summit. Over that distance, you'll gain a solid 1,024m of elevation, averaging a 10.66% gradient. It's a challenging climb that rewards you with stunning Alpine scenery and that beautiful sanctuary waiting at the top. Definitely one for the bucket list if you're into mountain driving.
moderateHow is the drive to the summit of Col de la Core?
🇫🇷 France
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the French Pyrenees, specifically the Ariège department, and you're headed for the Col de la Core. This isn't just any mountain pass; it's a Tour de France legend, connecting the serene Bethmale and Salat Valleys. You're smack-dab in the Ariège Pyrenees Regional Natural Park, a place bursting with greenery and far from the crowds of the higher peaks. The scenery? Totally pastoral. Think happy cows munching grass right next to the road and shady beech forests giving you a break from the sun. Get to the top, and bam! A wide-open plateau shows off the stunning massif — the region's superstar peak. Okay, road facts: this is Ariège, Pyrenees (France). The D618 is about 31 km long, stretching north-south from Saint-Lary. It's all paved, but keep your wits about you. This is a classic Ariège road: winding, sometimes narrow, and often without guardrails. In dry conditions, it's not particularly dicey, but it demands your attention. Expect tight corners and the occasional encounter with livestock or cyclists around blind bends. You've got two main routes to the summit, both legendary cycling climbs: **From Castillon-en-Couserans (East):** The steeper side! It's a 13.8 km climb with an average gradient of 6.3%. You'll hit some seriously steep sections at 8-9%, snaking through woods that open up near the top. **From Audressein (West):** A more relaxed 17.5 km climb. The average gradient here is a gentle 4.4%, making it a smoother ride through the gorgeous Bethmale Valley. The pavement's generally good, but autumn brings wet leaves that can make those tight turns surprisingly slippery. When to go? Unlike the super-high Pyrenean passes, the Col de la Core isn't crazy high, so it's usually open most of the year. That said, winter storms can shut it down, and snow tires/chains are a must. Late spring to early autumn is prime time for a road trip. In summer, the pass is much cooler than the plains, but watch out for mountain fog that can roll into the Bethmale Valley, dropping visibility to near zero in the forested areas.