Driving the scenic Schlegeis Alpenstrasse in Tyrol
Austria, europe
13.3 km
1,000 m
moderate
Year-round
# Schlegeis Alpenstraße: Austria's Alpine Thrill Ride
Ready for a mountain driving adventure? The Schlegeis Alpenstraße in Tyrol, Austria, is exactly what you're looking for. This 13.3 km (8.26 miles) toll road takes you from the charming village of Ginzling—just south of Mayrhofen—all the way up to the stunning Schlegeis reservoir. Built back in 1907 and fully paved, it's been thrilling drivers for over a century.
Here's the thing: this isn't a leisurely cruise. The road climbs 806 meters in elevation, starting at 1,000 meters and finishing at 1,806 meters, with some seriously tight sections that'll keep you on your toes. Eight hairpin bends and four tunnels carved right into the rock face make this route genuinely challenging—even for confident drivers. Some sections narrow down to single lanes controlled by traffic lights, and those tunnels have a 3.6-meter height restriction, so keep that in mind. The steepest sections hit a 12% gradient.
The payoff? Absolutely incredible scenery. As you wind through the tunnels and tackle those hairpins, you'll be treated to jaw-dropping panoramic views of the Zillertal Alps. Waterfalls cascade alongside the road, and on clear days, you can spot the glacier. It's the kind of drive that makes you forget all about white-knuckle moments.
The season is short though—plan your visit between mid-May and late October when weather allows. Winter? Forget about it. But during those warmer months, this is pure alpine magic.
Where is it?
Driving the scenic Schlegeis Alpenstrasse in Tyrol is located in Austria (europe). Coordinates: 48.2251, 13.2680
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,000 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 48.2251, 13.2680
Related Roads in europe
hardThe road to Sobrón Alto is not for the sissies
🇪🇸 Spain
Alright, thrill-seekers, let's talk about the A-4324, the road to Sobrón Alto, a tiny village in Álava, nestled right in the Basque Country of northern Spain! Forget your average Sunday drive; this route, squeezed between the Montes Obarenes and Sierra de Árcena mountains, is *intense*. The pavement might be patchy, a mix of asphalt and concrete, but don't let that fool you. This baby is STEEP. We're talking gradients reaching a wild 15.4% in places! Starting from the A-2122 (aka the Sobrón Canyon road), you'll climb for about 2.7km (1.67 miles), gaining a solid 189 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of 7%, so prepare for some serious uphill action. Generally, it’s open year-round, but keep an eye on the weather in winter - things can get dicey up there. But, if you're up for a challenge and craving some stunning mountain views, this road is calling your name!
moderateD8 Coastal Road (Jadranska Magistrala)
🇭🇷 Croatia
The D8—locals call it the Jadranska Magistrala or Adriatic Highway—is basically Croatia's poster child for coastal drives. This legendary 650-kilometer stretch connects Rijeka up north all the way down to Dubrovnik, and honestly, it's been turning heads since the 1960s when it was built. The entire route hugs the eastern Adriatic shore like it was designed by someone who really wanted you to see the water. We're talking rocky coves, pine-covered headlands, and those jaw-dropping ancient walled towns scattered throughout. On one side you've got the sparkling sea dotted with islands, and on the other, the dramatic Dinaric Alps just looming there. You'll drive through some seriously iconic spots: Zadar with its island-studded views, Split with its incredible Diocletian's Palace, the Makarska Riviera overshadowed by the massive Biokovo mountain, and eventually Dubrovnik's legendary walls. The road itself is in great condition, but here's the real talk—summer is absolute peak season and things get genuinely crowded, especially around Split and Dubrovnik. If you're flexible on timing, shoulder season is definitely your friend. Oh, and if you want to island-hop? No problem. Ferries connect the main road to Croatia's countless islands, so you've got options to mix things up along the way.
moderateCarretera Vieja (TF-28 Road)
🇪🇸 Spain
# TF-28: Tenerife's Legendary Twisty Mountain Road If you're looking for one of the most thrilling drives in Spain's Canary Islands, the TF-28—locals call it Carretera Vieja (the Old Road)—is absolutely worth the trip. This iconic route winds its way across Tenerife, connecting the bustling Santa Cruz de Tenerife in the north to the beachy resort town of Playa de las Américas in the south. Fair warning: this isn't your grandma's Sunday cruise. The asphalt is decent in most places, but you'll hit some rougher patches along the way. And here's the real deal—if your passengers are prone to motion sickness, maybe skip the heavy lunch beforehand. This road earned its nickname "the road with a thousand bends" for a reason, and it's not exaggerating. Spanning nearly 100 kilometers, the TF-28 hugs the mountainside like it was made for it, following every contour and curve nature threw its way. Before the newer TF-1 highway came along, this was *the* main route between north and south, and it's easy to see why drivers still love it. What makes it special isn't just the engineering—it's the constant adrenaline rush of ascents and descents, hairpin after hairpin. The scenery? Absolutely stunning. You're treated to panoramic views the entire way, with the road weaving through the island's dramatic landscape. For anyone who loves a proper driving challenge with jaw-dropping vistas, this is the real deal.
extremeTake the Scenic Route and Discover Bicaz Gorge in Romania
🇷🇴 Romania
Okay, picture this: Transylvania, Romania. You're carving through the Bicaz Gorge, one of the country's most mind-blowing canyons. This isn't just a drive; it's an experience. The road, DN12C (locals call it Cheile Bicazului), winds between Neamț and Harghita counties for about 10.8 kilometers (6.7 miles) between Lacu Roșu and Bicaz-Chei. It's paved, but don't expect a smooth ride – think narrow stretches, tunnels, and a wild series of 12 hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. You're in the Eastern Carpathians, deep inside Cheile Bicazului-Hășmaș National Park, where the limestone cliffs soar 300 meters straight up. Seriously, they're right there, practically scraping the sky. There's even a section called the "Neck of Hell" (Gâtul Iadului) where the rocks overhang the road – talk about intense! Keep an eye out for roadside bazaars where Romanian and Hungarian artisans sell their crafts. The views are insane. As you weave through the mountains, you might feel like the walls are closing in. Legend says the nearby "red lake" formed from the blood of picnickers crushed in a landslide! Don't miss the Black Cave and Waterfall Cave hidden in the cliffs. Trust me, the Bicaz Gorge is a Romanian natural wonder you won't forget.