When was the Pustertaler Hohenstrasse road built?

When was the Pustertaler Hohenstrasse road built?

Austria, europe

Length

32 km

Elevation

1,441 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the Pustertal High Alpine Road in Tyrol, Austria, and the views are absolutely killer. Seriously, this road is a twisty-turny dream (or maybe a slightly-scary dream, depending on your comfort level!).

Built way back in 1923, this free-to-drive beauty snakes for 32 km (almost 20 miles!) between Leisach and Abfaltersbach. Imagine yourself winding through meadows, dense forests, and those ridiculously charming villages you see on postcards.

Now, be warned, this isn't a straight shot. We're talking countless curves and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting up to 17%! You'll climb over 700 vertical meters, eventually topping out at 1,441m (that's over 4,700 feet!) above sea level. The best part? It's open year-round, so you can experience the Pustertal High Alpine Road in any season! Get ready for an unforgettable drive.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Austria
Continent
europe
Length
32 km
Max Elevation
1,441 m
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in europe

Alto de San Isidrohard

Alto de San Isidro

🇪🇸 Spain

# Alto de San Isidro: A Spanish Mountain Pass Worth the Drive Perched at 1,523 meters (4,996 feet) on the border between Asturias and Castile and Leon in northern Spain, Alto de San Isidro—also called Puerto de San Isidro—is a stunning mountain pass nestled within the Redes Natural Park. This is one of those climbs that'll get your heart pumping in the best way possible. The good news? The road is fully asphalted and genuinely well-maintained, thanks to it being the main route up to the local ski slopes. It's also plenty wide, making it feel relatively safe as you wind your way up. The climb does get serious though, with some sections hitting 11.4% gradient, so don't expect a casual cruise. You've got two solid options for tackling this pass. Coming from Cabañaquinta on the AS-253 road gives you the longer but more gradual approach—27km of climbing with 1,111 meters of elevation gain and an average gradient of 4.1%. If you're coming from Puebla de Lillo via LE-331, you're looking at a shorter 14.7km haul with 433 meters of elevation gain and a mellower 2.5% average gradient, though even this route has some spicy 8.7% sections. One heads-up: winters here get seriously cold, so come prepared if you're tackling this in the colder months. The silver lining is that the pass typically stays open year-round to keep ski access flowing. Pro cyclists have conquered this beauty too—it's been featured in the Spanish Vuelta. Ready to give it a go?

Psiloritis Mountainhard

Psiloritis Mountain

🇬🇷 Greece

# Psiloritis Mountain: Crete's Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Ready to tackle one of Crete's most thrilling mountain routes? Welcome to Psiloritis Mountain (also called Mount Ida), a beast of a peak towering at 1,570 meters (5,150 feet) in the Rethymno region. This isn't your typical Sunday drive—it's a serious adventure for experienced off-roaders only. The road up is pure unpaved chaos: gravel, rocks, and relentless bumps that'll test your vehicle and your nerves. A 4x4 is basically non-negotiable here. If mountain driving isn't your jam, honestly, skip it. Same goes if heights make you queasy—this trail climbs steeply with hairpin turns that seem to spiral endlessly toward the sky. Weather matters big time. Dry conditions are challenging enough, but throw rain into the mix and those muddy sections become genuinely treacherous. Time your visit wisely. Make it to the top though, and you're rewarded with mountain huts where you can catch your breath and take in some seriously epic views. It's the kind of drive that separates the casual travelers from the real adventurers—and the accomplishment? Absolutely worth every white-knuckle moment.

A beautiful paved road to Eira Pass in the Alpsmoderate

A beautiful paved road to Eira Pass in the Alps

🇮🇹 Italy

# Passo d'Eira: A Classic Alpine Climb Ready for some serious mountain driving? Passo d'Eira is calling your name. Sitting pretty at 2,209 meters (7,247 feet) above sea level in Italy's Sondrio Province, this pass is a stunning stretch of road that deserves a spot on any alpine enthusiast's bucket list. Tucked away in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Passo d'Eira connects two legendary destinations: the charming town of Bormio and Livigno, a world-class ski resort perched near the Swiss border. The entire 36.1-kilometer (22.43-mile) journey runs east-west through some seriously dramatic terrain, sandwiched between the Foscagno Pass and Livigno itself. The good news? The whole route is paved, thanks to Strada Statale 301 (SS 301). You'll be cruising on solid asphalt the entire way—though fair warning, traffic can get a bit lively during peak seasons. Don't let that discourage you though; it's nothing you can't handle. Now, about those gradients: this isn't a leisurely Sunday drive. The road hits a maximum grade of 8.0% on some sections, so your brakes might earn their keep. But that's all part of the charm when you're threading through the Alps in one of Europe's most spectacular driving playgrounds.

Sveti Jure is the highest road of Croatiahard

Sveti Jure is the highest road of Croatia

🇭🇷 Croatia

# Sveti Jure: Croatia's Ultimate Mountain Drive Perched at 1,744m (5,721ft) above sea level in Croatia's Biokovo mountain range, Sveti Jure is one seriously impressive peak. Here's the thing though—if you're the type who breaks into a cold sweat reversing on mountain roads, you might want to skip this one. This stunning drive along the Biokovska cesta (Biokovo Tourist Road) sits high above the Dalmatian coast overlooking the Adriatic Sea, and it's honestly a must-do if you're feeling adventurous. The entire route is paved, and it's considered one of Croatia's highest roads. Fun fact: the Austro-Hungarian Army originally built it up to 897m back in 1878, then it got extended to the summit in 1964 to install a TV transmitter, and finally got completely paved in 1978. Here's where it gets real: this road is *narrow*—we're talking 3-4 meters wide in places. Two cars can't pass each other, so you'll need to back up if you meet someone coming the other way. There are passing areas, but they're few and far between. With a 30km/h speed limit, no overtaking allowed, and the possibility of a 1km drop-off, mistakes aren't really an option here. The final 3km climb gets especially gnarly with gradients hitting 14%, and the overall steepest sections reach 23%. Starting from the D512 road at 365m elevation, you're looking at a 23km (14.29 miles) climb with 1,379 meters of elevation gain. Budget about an hour for the drive without stops. Wind is a real concern, especially higher up, so check the weather before you go. Winter driving is possible but requires checking snow conditions first. The payoff? Absolutely worth it. The views from the top are simply unreal—sweeping vistas of the Adriatic, Croatian islands, and mountains cascading down to the sea. On clear days, you can actually see parts of Bosnia and Italy across the water. The road winds through Biokovo National Park (open 7:00-20:00, €4 entrance fee during the day, free at night) and has a decent parking area for 30-40 cars at the summit. A couple of restaurants operate along the route, mostly during tourist season. Just come prepared, stay focused, and you'll have an unforgettable experience.