Why is it called Gerlitzen Alpine Road?
Austria, europe
12 km
1,773 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Gerlitzen Alpe Panoramastraße, a seriously scenic toll road hugging the north shore of Lake Ossiach in gorgeous Carinthia, Austria. "Gerlitzen" apparently comes from an old word meaning "burnt place," which is a little ominous but don't worry, it's beautiful now!
This baby is about 12km (7.45 miles) long, all paved but let’s be honest, the pavement has seen better days. It’s also pretty narrow at only 5 meters wide, but the views of Lake Ossiach make it all worthwhile.
Starting near the lake in Bodensdorf, you'll climb, and I mean *climb*, up to the panorama car park near the Feuerberg Mountain Resort at a whopping 1,773m (5,816ft). That's a 1,258-meter gain! Expect an average gradient of over 10%, with some sections hitting a thigh-burning 13%.
Is it worth the toll? Absolutely! The Gerlitzen Panoramastraße serves up some seriously breathtaking views of central Carinthia. Just imagine the photos!
Road Details
- Country
- Austria
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 12 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,773 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in europe
moderateWhere is Plateau de Bure?
🇫🇷 France
Wanna feel like you're driving on the moon? Head to Plateau de Bure in the Hautes-Alpes department of France! Perched way up high at 2,560m (8,398ft), this remote plateau is home to some serious radio astronomy gear. You'll find it nestled in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region in southeastern France. It's where the NOEMA interferometer hangs out, with its ten giant antennas scanning the skies. Now, about getting there... the road is a wild 10.3 km (6.4 miles) stretch of unpaved terrain that kicks off from Le Pré. Think lunar landscapes, killer panoramic views of the Vercors and Écrins massifs, and an adventure only suitable for 4x4s. Built back in the late 80s, this road is usually snowed in during winter, so plan accordingly. Keep in mind that private vehicles are not allowed to drive to the plateau.
hardDriving an Iconic Alpine Road with Hundreds of Turns to Col des Champs
🇫🇷 France
# Col des Champs: A Wild Alpine Adventure Buckle up for Col des Champs, a stunning 2,092-meter (6,863-foot) mountain pass tucked away in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southeastern France. Straddling the border between Alpes-de-Haute-Provence and Alpes-Maritimes, this gem sits right within the breathtaking Mercantour National Park. The 27.7-kilometer route connecting Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes to Colmars is fully paved—but don't expect a smooth cruise. The D78 from the south and Route Départementale 2 from the north are famous for their relentless hairpin turns and gloriously bumpy surface that'll keep you on your toes. Seriously, this road is basically all curves, with some sections tilting up to a punishing 12% gradient. Coming from Saint-Martin-d'Entraunes, you're looking at a 16.26-kilometer push uphill with 1,052 meters of elevation gain (averaging 6.5% gradient). The northern approach from Colmars is slightly shorter at 12 kilometers but steeper, climbing 842 meters at an average of 7%. The good news? This beauty stays open year-round, though winter weather occasionally forces temporary closures. If you're craving high-altitude Alpine scenery with a technical driving challenge that'll make your knuckles white, Col des Champs delivers in spades.
moderateA Paved Road to Col du Pillon in the Western Swiss Alps
🇨🇭 Switzerland
# Col du Pillon Nestled at 1,546 meters (5,072 feet) in the heart of the Swiss Alps, Col du Pillon sits right on the border between the Vaud and Bern cantons in western Switzerland. This is the real deal—a proper alpine pass that feels genuinely special. The 31.8-kilometer (19.75-mile) route stretches from Saanen in the Obersimmental-Saanen district all the way down to Ormont-Dessous in the Aigle district, and it's one of those roads that just works. The entire stretch is fully paved and beautifully maintained, so you can focus on soaking in the incredible mountain views rather than worrying about road conditions. What's brilliant about Col du Pillon is that it's accessible pretty much year-round, thanks to regular maintenance. The summit itself is home to a massive parking area serving the nearby Glacier 3000 ski resort, making it a natural stopping point. If you're feeling adventurous, there's a winding mountain trail from the summit that climbs to the Cabane des Diablerets—a SAC mountain hut perched at 2,500 meters near the Tête aux Chamois peak—perfect for those wanting to extend their adventure into the high alpine terrain. This is classic Swiss mountain driving at its finest: well-engineered roads, stunning scenery, and year-round accessibility. Definitely worth adding to your alpine road trip list.
moderateA Dramatic Balcony Road Above the Stunning Lac du Bourget: Col de la Chambotte
🇫🇷 France
# Col de la Chambotte: France's Most Thrilling Balcony Road Perched at 650m (2,132ft) above sea level in the Savoie department of southeastern France, Col de la Chambotte is hands-down one of the most exhilarating drives you can experience in the Alps. The Route de la Chambotte (D991B) stretches just 7.2km (4.47 miles) from Chindrieux to Saint-Germain-la-Chambotte, but trust me—every single curve packs a punch. This is a fully paved road, which is good news, but here's the thing: it's *narrow*. Like, genuinely tight in places. You'll find yourself navigating hairpin turns along cliff edges with nothing but air (and an absolutely stunning view) on one side. A few unlit tunnels puncture through the rock face, adding to that heart-pounding adventure feeling. And fair warning—some stretches have minimal or zero guardrails, so this isn't the drive for white-knuckle nervous drivers. But if you're up for the challenge, the payoff is spectacular. What makes it all worthwhile? Lac du Bourget spreads out below you like something from a postcard—France's largest natural lake with those impossibly clear turquoise waters ringed by impressive mountain peaks. Created during the Ice Age and cradled in the Alpine landscape, it's genuinely breathtaking. Every twist of the road offers another jaw-dropping perspective of this glacial gem. If you're chasing an adrenaline rush with world-class scenery, Col de la Chambotte delivers the goods.