If you are looking for the ultimate Alpine motorbike adventure, look no further. This route through the Austrian and Italian Alps covers two of the most legendary mountain passes in Europe — the Grossglockner High Alpine Road in Austria and the Stelvio Pass in Italy — linking them together into a single unforgettable loop through some of the most dramatic scenery on the continent. It is, without question, the best moto trip through the Alps so far.
The KML route file is attached below — download it and remove the .pdf extension, keeping only .kml, then open it in Google Earth or import it into your GPS device. WordPress does not support .kml files natively, hence the workaround.
📥 Download route: 2016-08 Rakousko.kml
The Route Overview
The trip follows a circular route originating from Central Europe, heading south-west into the Austrian Alps and then crossing into northern Italy before looping back. The core highlights are the Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße — Austria’s most famous mountain road — and the Passo dello Stelvio, one of the highest paved mountain passes in the Alps and a bucket-list road for motorcyclists worldwide. Along the way the route passes through stunning Alpine lakes, historic towns, and high-altitude panoramas that are simply unforgettable on two wheels.
Recommended Places Along the Route
1. Hallstatt — The Most Beautiful Village in Austria
If the route passes through the Salzkammergut region — and if you are coming from the north or east, it absolutely should — a stop at Hallstatt is non-negotiable. This impossibly picturesque village clings to the steep western shore of the Hallstätter See, its colourful 16th-century houses reflected perfectly in the mirror-still lake below. It is one of the most photographed places in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive early in the morning before the tour coaches arrive for the most magical experience. The road along the lake approaching Hallstatt is itself one of the finest short rides in Austria.
2. Zell am See — Gateway to the High Alps
Zell am See is one of Austria’s most beautiful alpine towns, set on the shore of the Zeller See with the Schmittenhöhe mountain rising behind it and the Kitzsteinhorn glacier visible to the south. It is an ideal overnight stop before tackling the Grossglockner — the town has excellent hotels, restaurants, and a lively waterfront. The surrounding area, known as the Europa Sport Region, also offers superb riding on the B311 and B168 roads threading through the Salzach valley and surrounding mountains.
3. Grossglockner High Alpine Road — The Crown Jewel
The Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße is Austria’s most spectacular mountain road and a rite of passage for every serious Alpine motorcyclist. Stretching 48 km from Bruck in Salzburgerland to Heiligenblut in Carinthia, the road climbs to 2,571 m above sea level, passing through the heart of the Hohe Tauern National Park. It was opened in 1935 and remains one of the finest feats of alpine engineering in the world. The road features 36 switchbacks, dramatic viewing platforms, and — if you take the Edelweißspitze side road — views from 2,571 m over five neighbouring valleys. The toll is around €20 for motorcycles and is absolutely worth every cent.
Note: The road is typically open from early May to early November. Check grossglockner.at for current conditions and toll rates.
4. Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe — Glacier Viewpoint
Do not miss the side road from the Grossglockner main road to the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Höhe (2,369 m), a spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Pasterze — Austria’s longest glacier and the largest in the Eastern Alps. On a clear day the view of the Grossglockner peak (3,798 m, the highest mountain in Austria) rising above the pale blue ice of the glacier is simply breathtaking. The visitor centre has a good café and restaurant, and you can take a short walk down to the glacier’s edge. This detour adds only a few kilometres to the route but provides some of its most dramatic scenery.
5. Heiligenblut — Picture-Perfect Village
At the southern end of the Grossglockner road lies the village of Heiligenblut am Großglockner, one of the most iconic views in the Austrian Alps: a Gothic pilgrimage church with a slender spire rising against the backdrop of the Grossglockner peak. The village sits at 1,288 m and is a wonderful place to stop for coffee or lunch after the descent. The church of St Vincent (15th century) contains a remarkable winged altar and a relic purportedly containing a vial of the blood of Christ, brought here from Constantinople in the 9th century — the origin of the village’s name („Holy Blood“).
6. Nockalmstraße — The Hidden Gem
Far less well-known than the Grossglockner but arguably just as rewarding, the Nockalmstraße in the Nockberge Biosphere Park in Carinthia is a 35 km mountain toll road threading through the rounded, grass-covered Nock mountains. Unlike the dramatic granite peaks of the Hohe Tauern, the Nockberge have a softer, more bucolic character — high alpine pastures dotted with traditional wooden farmsteads, crystal-clear streams, and sweeping views in every direction. The road reaches a maximum altitude of around 2,440 m and is rarely crowded, making it one of the finest relaxed riding roads in the Austrian Alps. Highly recommended as a detour between the Grossglockner descent and Klagenfurt.
7. Wörthersee — Carinthia’s Riviera
The Wörthersee is the largest and warmest of Carinthia’s lakes, a 16 km stretch of deep blue-green water set among wooded hills just west of Klagenfurt. Its shores are lined with elegant Art Nouveau villas, sailing clubs, and lakeside restaurants — it has been a fashionable summer resort since the 19th century. The road along the northern shore (B83) is a lovely easy ride with beautiful lake views and plenty of stops for a coffee or swim. Klagenfurt itself, Carinthia’s capital, is worth an hour or two for its charming baroque old town and the Lindwurm fountain.
8. Stelvio Pass (Passo dello Stelvio) — The Greatest Road on Earth
The Passo dello Stelvio needs no introduction in motorcycling circles — famously named the greatest driving road in the world by Top Gear, it has been on every serious rider’s bucket list since the show aired. At 2,757 m above sea level, it is the second highest paved mountain pass in the Alps. The climb from Prato allo Stelvio on the Austrian side features 48 numbered hairpin bends in rapid succession — a jaw-dropping series of switchbacks that seem to stack on top of each other when viewed from below. The road surface is generally good, the views are extraordinary, and the descent into the Valtellina valley on the Italian side is equally dramatic. In summer the pass attracts motorcyclists from across Europe — arrive on a weekday morning for the best experience.
Note: The pass is usually open from late May to October, weather permitting. Check current road conditions before departure.
Practical Tips for the Route
Best time to ride: June, July, and early September offer the best combination of good weather, open passes, and manageable crowds. Avoid the first two weeks of August if possible — both the Grossglockner and Stelvio become extremely busy with tourist traffic.
Toll roads: Both the Grossglockner Hochalpenstraße and the Nockalmstraße charge tolls (approximately €18–22 for motorcycles each). Austria also requires a motorway vignette for highway use. Italy’s highways use a conventional toll booth system — bring cash or a payment card.
Weather and altitude: Even in summer, temperatures at the top of the passes can be 10–15°C lower than in the valleys. Always carry a warm mid-layer and waterproof jacket. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in the Alps in summer, so aim to be at or near the summits before noon.
Fuel: Fill up in the larger towns (Zell am See, Lienz, Bormio) before heading into the mountains. Petrol stations are non-existent on the pass roads themselves.
Overnight stops: Zell am See or Bruck an der Glocknerstraße make ideal bases for the Grossglockner. For the Stelvio, Prato allo Stelvio (on the Austrian/South Tyrolean side) or Bormio (on the Italian side) are the most convenient options.
