Discovering Austria's Nockalm Road: An Unforgettable Drive with 52 Hairpin Bends

# Nockalmstrasse (Nockalm Road)

If you're craving one of Austria's most stunning Alpine drives, head to Carinthia in the Karnten region and prepare yourself for the Nockalmstrasse. This 34km (21.12 miles) toll road stretches north-south from Innerkrems to Ebene Reichenau, winding through the incredible Nockberge National Park.

Completed back in 1981, this lower alpine route is an absolute dream for drivers who love curves. We're talking 52 hairpin bends here—double that if you're doing the round trip! The road is silky smooth with beautifully spaced turns that make the whole experience feel effortless, even as it climbs at gradients up to 12%.

Sitting in the heart of Carinthia's Nock Mountains, the road peaks at 2,042m (6,699ft) near Eisentalhöhe. You can tackle it from early May through late October, though fair warning: motorcycles are banned between 6:00 pm and 8:00 am. Weekends and holidays get pretty crowded, but if you go on a quieter day, you'll have plenty of chances for those jaw-dropping photographs.

What makes this drive truly special is the landscape itself. The Nockbergs are famous for their distinctive rounded summits called 'Nocken'—you won't see anything quite like them elsewhere in the Alps. You're driving through Europe's only national park set in high mountains, surrounded by spruce and stone pine forests. Scattered along the route are charming mountain huts dishing up authentic Carinthian specialties, and viewpoints offering 360-degree vistas that'll take your breath away.