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 the sea level, located in the Austrian region of Carinthia. It’s an epic, monster, killer climb with a gradient of 20% in parts.

How long is the road to Großer Oscheniksee?

Set high in the eastern Alps, the road to the reservoir, also known as Oscheniksee and Grosser Oschenik See, is totally paved but narrow, with 39 sharp hairpin turns. The road is not recommended if you’re prone to car sickness. Starting at Innerfragant, the road to the reservoir is 8.5km (5.28 miles) long.

Is the road to Großer Oscheniksee open?

The road was built to access the reservoir and the access is currently blocked by a barrier. It’s open between the beginning of May to the end of September.

Is the road to Großer Oscheniksee steep?

Tucked away in the southern part of the country, within the Fragant valley, it’s said to be one of the hardest climbs of the Alps, hitting a 20% of maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Innerfragant, the ascent is 8.5km (5.28 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 1.106 meters and the average percentage is 13.01%.
Pic&Video: Gábor Györgyi