Panorama roads
Countless serpentines, narrow natural stone tunnels and fantastic views of the mountain world: On Tyrol's high alpine roads, the country shows itself from a completely different, sublime perspective. Some of them lead to an altitude of well over 2,000 meters above sea level and offer panoramic views that are otherwise unheard of from the car window. They inspire motorcyclists who love to lay into their numerous curves and sharp hairpin bends, and motivate racing cyclists to top performance. On them you can discover the beautiful high alpine landscapes that you normally only reach with hiking boots.
Panorama road Kitzbüheler Horn
North of Kitzbühel, the serpentine journey begins on the panoramic road up to the Alpenhaus inn on the Kitzbüheler Horn. The 7.5-kilometer route leads up to an altitude of 1,670 meters above sea level and offers an ever-widening view of the Kitzbühel Alps to the west as the altitude increases. Gradients of up to 18 percent require vigilance at the wheel, but the road is wide. In the event of a visit to the inn, a portion of the toll is charged.
The panoramic road Kitzbüheler Horn is open between the end of May and the beginning of November. Toll is charged.
Großglockner High Alpine Road
The Grossglockner High Alpine Road is without a doubt the queen of the Alpine roads in Austria. Its 48 km promise the most sensational views of numerous three-thousand-meter peaks, and the drive up to over 2,500 m above sea level is an incomparable experience. Information points and exhibitions as well as the visitor center on the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe attract 900,000 visitors every year. But around this great pass road there are other worthwhile alpine roads in Salzburg, Tyrol and Carinthia, which we would like to introduce to you.
The Glockner Road is passable all year round, but in winter only with appropriate equipment. A toll is charged between the end of May and the beginning of October.
Zillertaler Höhenstraße
Actually, the Zillertaler Höhenstraße was built for the management of alpine pastures and for avalanche protection work. Today, however, it enjoys great popularity, especially among tourists. This is because the narrow, winding panoramic road, which runs above the tree line at an altitude of 1,700 to about 2,100 meters, is considered one of the most beautiful in the country with its breathtaking views of the Zillertal and the Tux Pre-Alps. Along the nearly 20-kilometer-long crest stretch, several mountain inns offer rest stops. While a toll is payable here, the numerous access roads can be used free of charge.
Depending on the weather, the Zillertaler Höhenstraße is open between May and October.
Schlegeis Alpine Road
The Schlegeis Alpine Road begins in the rustic mountaineering village of Ginzling south of Mayrhofen in the Zamser Valley. It leads over a good 13 kilometers through a magnificent high alpine landscape up to the Schlegeis reservoir at 1,800 meters above sea level. Eight sharp hairpin bends, four natural stone tunnels and many vantage points with the best views of the Zillertal Alps make the drive an experience. The route is partly only passable in one direction and regulated with traffic lights. From the 725 meter long dam wall you have an unobstructed view into the valley. The operator even offers guided tours inside the mighty structure.
The Schlegeis Alpine Road is open daily between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. from mid-May to the end of October. It is subject to tolls.