Silvretta High Alpine Road
Austria, europe
22.3 km
2,036 m
moderate
June to October
# The Silvretta High Alpine Road
Picture this: a 22.3-kilometer stretch of pure Alpine magic winding through Austria's Silvretta range. This toll road connects the charming Montafon valley town of Partenen with Galtur over in the Paznaun valley, and honestly, it's one of those drives that'll leave you speechless.
Built over sixteen years (1938-1954), the road climbs up to the Bielerhöhe pass—sitting pretty at 2,036 meters—where you'll find the jaw-dropping Silvretta reservoir. Seriously, this water is *spectacularly* turquoise, like someone spilled liquid gemstones everywhere. That surreal color comes from glacial silt, and it creates this incredible contrast against the grey granite peaks and white glaciers surrounding it. The reservoir sits right at the base of Piz Buin, Vorarlberg's highest peak at 3,312 meters, making for some seriously photogenic moments.
The engineering here is wild: 30 hairpin bends snake their way through a landscape straight out of a dream—glaciers, mountain streams cascading down, pristine alpine meadows. It's the kind of scenery that makes you want to pull over every five minutes to just take it all in.
Once you reach the summit, the Bielerhöhe becomes your launchpad for hiking and mountaineering adventures throughout the range. And here's the best part: while everyone flocks to Austria's famous Grossglockner road, this gem stays refreshingly under-the-radar, offering equally stunning views without the crowds.
Where is it?
Silvretta High Alpine Road is located in Vorarlberg / Tyrol, Austria (europe). Coordinates: 46.9186, 10.0928
Driving Tips
# Road Trip Tips
The toll road here is only open from late May through October, so plan your visit during those months. Once you get up to the summit, you'll find a really cool reservoir that's definitely worth checking out — it's one of the main attractions of the drive.
If you're worried about crowds, good news: this route stays way less busy than the Grossglockner, so you can actually enjoy the scenery without battling tons of other travelers. That said, if you're on a motorcycle, you're going to absolutely love the hairpin turns here. The road surface is really well-maintained, which makes those twists and turns a genuine pleasure to ride rather than a white-knuckle experience.
Road Surface
Paved asphalt
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Region
- Vorarlberg / Tyrol
- Length
- 22.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,036 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Surface
- Paved asphalt
- Best Season
- June to October
- Coordinates
- 46.9186, 10.0928
Related Roads in europe
moderateDriving the canyon road to Margalef Dam is not a piece of cake
🇪🇸 Spain
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Priorat region of Catalonia, Spain, heading towards the Margalef Dam. This isn't just any road; it's a 2.9 km (1.8 mile) slice of pure canyon-carving bliss! Think stunning scenery, rugged beauty, and a front-row seat to the Montsant River, all within the Serra de Montsant Natural Park. Now, fair warning: this road is *narrow*. Like, "hope you don't meet another car" narrow. Seriously, reversing skills might be a lifesaver. Keep an eye out for potential rock slides, too. While your passengers are busy snapping photos of the breathtaking views, you, the driver, need to stay laser-focused. But trust me, it's worth it! The road leads to a chill parking area with picnic spots, perfect for soaking in the tranquility after your thrilling drive to the dam, which was built in 1992. Bonus? You probably won't encounter much traffic. Enjoy the ride!
hardPuerto de Pedro Bernardo
🇪🇸 Spain
Puerto de Pedro Bernardo is a mountain pass at an elevation of 1.245m (4,084ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Ávila, Castile and León, Spain. Located in the Gredos mountain range, the road to the summit is asphalted. It’s called AV-922. Its many twists, turns and narrows can pose a challenge to even the most experienced drivers. The road is not easy, though. Up, down, right, left all the time. The pass has been featured on Vuelta a España race. Expect a road pretty steep. Starting from Pedro Bernardo town, the ascent is 12km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 474 meters. The average gradient is 3.95%. And starting from San Esteban del Valle town, the ascent is 8.8km long. Over this distance the elevation gain is 438 meters. The average gradient is 4.97%. The road to Refugio Postero Alto, pure adventure Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateDriving the remote Henningsværveien (Road 816)
🇳🇴 Norway
# Henningsværveien (Road 816): Norway's Hidden Island Gem Want to drive one of the most spectacular roads in the world? Head to Henningsvaer, a charming fishing village tucked away in Nordland county, Norway – and the only way to get there is via Road 816, which is absolutely worth the trip. This 7.7 km stretch of asphalt is pure magic. Starting from the E10, the narrow road hugs the mountainside as it winds along the water, connecting a string of tiny islands that seem almost impossibly placed in the middle of the ocean. You're driving through the Lofoten archipelago, just off the coast of Austvågøya, and honestly, the views are unreal. Henningsvaer itself has earned the nickname "Venice of Lofoten" – and once you arrive, you'll understand why. The drive features everything a scenery-lover could want: dramatic mountains rising up beside you, crystal-clear water with pristine sandy beaches, and elegant bridges connecting the islands like something out of a postcard. Every turn offers another photo opportunity, so definitely bring your camera (you'll want to capture this). This isn't a long drive, but it's the kind of road that stays with you. It's the perfect example of how sometimes the journey is just as incredible as the destination itself.
moderateDriving the Challenging Road to Chegem Waterfalls in Kabardino-Balkaria
🌍 Russia
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains in Russia, south of Nizhnii Chegem. Destination? The breathtaking Chegem Waterfalls! These falls aren't your average cascade. They've been sculpted by water over millennia, carving their way through massive rock formations into a symphony of waterfalls of all shapes and sizes, some plunging as high as 50 meters! You'll find them at the meeting point of the Adai-Su, Sakal-Tup, and Kayaarty tributaries, where they join the Chegem River. The drive itself is an adventure. This 58.7 km (36.47 miles) stretch of road starts from the town of Chegem, the district's capital, and leads all the way to El'tiubiu. You'll wind through gorges carved by the Chegem River, with views that will leave you speechless in every season. Keep your eyes peeled! The road is fully paved but a bit on the narrow side, and Mother Nature has definitely left her mark with some wear and tear. But no worries, you can take a breather in the small hotel, cafe, and a market along the way, selling local handicrafts.