What are the most spectacular roads in Austria?

Covering an area of 83,871 square kilometres and sharing borders with 8 countries (Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland and Liechtenstein), Austria is a mountainous country, set high in the central part of Europe.

Set high in the Alps, the country provides challenging yet scenic mountain roads for every driver, the scenic Alpine roads, with stunning views of mountains, valleys, lakes, and forests. While in the country, don’t forget to drive the Silvretta High Alpine Road, the Dream Road of the Alps. It’s one of the most stunning and popular panoramic routes in the country. At 22.3 km long, this curvy road encompasses 34 curves and reaches 2.071m (6,794ft) above sea level. Also worth taking is the 48km long drive through the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road.

Also, don’t miss the Timmelsjoch, the highest pass of the Ötztal Alps. Also known as Passo del Rombo, is an international high mountain pass on the border with Italy, situated just a few meters below the iconic Passo dello Stelvio. Remember to plan carefully your trip, because Austria has a temperate continental climate, with warm summers and cold winters.

Driving the legendary Grossglockner High Alpine Road in the Alps

Großglockner-Hochalpenstraße is one of the most scenic and dramatic routes in the Austrian Alps. Along the way, you will have a driving and nature experience of a special kind on 48 kilometers of high alpine road. It’s one of the scenic Austrian Alpine roads.

Top 12 Scenic Alpine Roads in Austria

Austria has some of the most exciting mountain roads and exhilarating driving experiences of the world. With incredible views, narrow tunnels, countless hairpins, steep inclines and twisty turns, the country offers some fantastic scenic drives.

Silvretta High Alpine Road is the Dream Road of the Alps

Silvretta Hochalpenstraße High Alpine Road is renowned as one of the most stunning and popular panoramic routes in the Austrian Alps, earning its title as the 'Dream road of the Alps.' Stretching 22.3 km, this winding road encompasses 34 curves, ascending to an elevation of 2.071m (6,794ft) above sea level, offering breathtaking views within a captivating natural landscape. The journey unfolds through steep turns, sharp bends, endless serpentines, and a superb panorama.

Timmelsjoch is the highest pass of the Ötztal Alps

Timmelsjoch Pass, also known as Passo del Rombo, is an international high mountain pass located at an elevation of 2,479m (8,133ft) above sea level, on the border of Austria and Italy, just a few meters below the renowned Passo dello Stelvio, the Queen of alpine roads.

The journey is the destination along the Ötztal Glacier Road in the Alps

Located in the Austrian state of Tyrol, the Ötztal Glacier Road (Ötztaler Gletscherstraße) is one of the most scenic drives in the Alps. A sign warns, “Mountain Road Only for Experienced Riders.” It tops out at 2,830m (9,285ft) above sea level.

Brenner Pass is the lowest Alpine pass

Brenner Pass is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1,370m (4,495ft) above sea level located on the Italian-Austrian border.

Plöcken Pass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico is an absolute must for road lovers

Plöckenpass-Passo di Monte Croce Carnico is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 1.370m (4,494ft) above sea level, located on the border of Austria and Italy.

Driving the 5 stars road to Arlberg Pass in Austria

Arlberg Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1,804 m (5,918 ft) above sea level, located in Austria.

A steep and busy road to the top of Fern Pass in Austria

Fernpass is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1,212m (3,976ft) above sea level, located in the Tyrol state of Austria.

Goldeck Panorama Road is a 5 stars road in Austria

Goldeck-Panoramastraße is a very scenic mountain drive located in Carinthia, in Austria. It offers breathtaking views of the Carinthian mountains and valleys. It’s one of the scenic Austrian Alpine roads.

Driving the curves and tunnels of Malta High Alpine Road

Malta-Hochalmstraße is a very scenic drive full of curves and tunnels, located in the Carinthia state of Austria.

Zillertal High Alpine Road is one of the best mountain roads of Austria

Zillertaler Höhenstraße is a very scenic mountain road located in Austria’s western state of Tyrol. It’s one of the scenic Austrian Alpine roads.

A brutally steep (23%) road to Turracher Hohe pass in Austria

Turracher Höhe is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.802m (5,912ft) above sea level located in Austria. The road to the pass hits a 23% maximum gradient.

A classic road trip to Radstadter Tauern Pass

Radstädter Tauern Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.740m (5,708ft) above sea level, located in the Austrian state of Salzburg.

Driving the scenic Gerlos Alpine Road in Austria

Located in the state of Salzburg in Austria, the Gerlos Alpenstraße (Gerlos Alpine Road) is a very exciting journey. It’s one of the scenic Austrian Alpine roads.

The inhumane climb to Kitzbuhler Horn with 22% ramps

Kitzbüheler Horn is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 1.967m (6,453ft) above sea level, located in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It’s one of the toughest climbs in international cycling.

The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Austrian Solk Pass

Sölk Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.793m (5,882ft) above sea level, located in the Austrian state of Styria.

Kaunertal Glacier Road: 26 km, 29 hairpin turns and 1,500 m change in elevation in the Alps

Kaunertal Glacier Road is an alpine road climbing up the Kaunertal Glacier, at 2.750m (9,022ft) above sea level. It’s the fifth highest paved road in the Alps. It covers 26 kilometers with a total of 29 bends and an altitude difference of 1,500 meters.

Kuhtai Saddle is an absolute must for road lovers in Austria

Kühtai Saddle is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2,021m (6,633ft) above sea level, located in the state of Tyrol, Austria.

Großer Oscheniksee is a brutal climb (20%) in Austria

Großer Oscheniksee is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.390m (7,841ft) above sea level, located in the Austrian region of Carinthia. It’s an epic, monster, killer climb with a gradient of 20% in parts.

Gerlitzen Alpine Road is a sensational drive south of the Alps

Gerlitzen Alpe Panoramastraße is a very scenic toll road located on the north shore of Lake Ossiach in the heart of Carinthia, Austria.

A paved road to Flexen Pass in the Austrian Alps

Flexen Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.781m (5,843ft) above sea level, located in the Bundesland of Vorarlberg.

Driving the scenic road to Hahntennjoch Pass in the Austrian Alps

Hahntennjoch is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.897m (6,223ft) above sea level, located in the Austrian federal state of Tyrol. The road to the summit offers wonderful views along serpentine curves and alpine landscapes.

The road to Großsee is a chillout in the high mountains of Austria

Großsee is a high mountain reservoir at an elevation of 2.481m (8,139ft) above sea level, located in the district of Spittal an der Drau in the Austrian state of Carinthia.

Villacher Alpenstraße: Can your brakes handle the 116 curves and 10% gradient?

The Villacher Alpenstraße is a high-altitude toll road in Carinthia, Austria, climbing the Dobratsch massif. This 16.5 km route is a mechanical grind that forces a 1,200-meter vertical gain over a very short distance. With 116 curves and a sustained 10% gradient, it is a technical test for a vehicle's cooling and braking systems. It is one of the scenic alpine roads in Austria