Today covers some further panoramic roads in Austria, and then crosses into Slovenia to end the day at Lake Bled. We traverse the Nockalmstraße, Goldeck Panoramastraße, the Villacher Alpenstraße in Dobratsch Nature Park, andthen onto Bled.
Daily Highlights
- Nockalmstraße (Motorcycle: 12 Euro) A journey into the Nockberge mountains is a lasting experience for all nature lovers. The approx. 35 km Nockalmstrasse road follows numerous gently winding twists and turns through a truly special landscape. The Nockberge are Europe’s only national park to be situated in high mountains containing the largest area of spruce, larch and stone pine forest in the eastern Alps.
- Goldeck Panoramastraße (Motorcycle: 8 Euro) Goldeck Panorama Road is a high mountain road located in Zlan-Stockenboi, in Carinthia, Austria. The road climbs upto 1895m (6,217ft) above the sea level. It offers breathtaking views of the Carinthian mountains and valleys.This asphalted toll road is a 14.5 km long ride with a maximum road inclination of 10%. It’s open from early May / mid-May to mid / late October, from 8.30 to 17.00 clock and leads from Zlan to the “Seetal” car park at 1895m altitude. The drive is always a special experience with extraordinarily beautiful views of numerous alpine summits.
- Villacher Alpenstraße in Dobratsch Nature Park (Motorcycle: 11 Euro) The Villach Alpine Road leading from Villach-Möltschach to the Dobratsch is one of the premium mountain roads. The 16.5 km mountain route is suitable for enjoyable driving on two or four wheels with rest spots and lookout points constantly inviting visitors to stop and rest. Brief walks or a summit hike up to the Dobratsch additionally brighten up the drive, while the rest stop options along the alpine road promise culinary diversity.
- Bled, Slovenia Bled, a Slovenian resort town in the foothills of the Julian Alps, is set along the glacial Lake Bled. On a cliff overlooking the lake is the 11th-century Bled Castle, which houses a museum, chapel and printing press. Atop a small island in the lake’s center is the Pilgrimage Church of the Assumption of Maria, with its steep staircase and bell tower.
Daily Video Highlights
Daily Blog
Hydro has driven us hard, and given his emotional IQ, he has slotted in a lay day (of sorts).Notwithstanding, we will still travel 360kms and Hydro is adamant that we should adopt the “Easy rider” approach. Chill & let it happen naturally. Doubtful, we are seduced into another day of uncertain outcomes. The aspiration today is to ride to a couple of mountaintops in Austria. The riding is wonderful throughout, forest canopies & sweeping turns.But we just want to get to Bled. It is probably injudicious to mention it but we have had to double back following a wrong turn which added some “gratuitous kilometage” to the trip. We have powered down the 2 lane expressway when we hit a road block. The traffic parts leaving a large space down the middle (Moses/Red Sea). What considerate people leaving a space for bikes to progress. We effusively turn & wave to everybody thanking them. We learned afterwards it is a legal requirement to allow emergency vehicles this space & we had broken the law. Notwithstanding, we have now entered Slovenia & arrived at our hotel in Bled by 3pm. The Hotel Toplice is right on the lake. We have rooms looking over the Lake!! What are we doing in such a quality place??
We enjoyed a swim in the private beach pool. The elite clientele are sunbaking as Hydro, Russ & Tony (in his dubious new boardshorts) decide to bomb off the diving board. Tony, as a Kiwi, says to the crowd, “what would you expect from Aussies”. No damage done & we retire to drinks.
Dinner is at Spica on the Lake. This is the best place. View to die for, Ribs & a band playing our type of music. We are the loudest group in the restaurant.
Silver Foxes Motorcycle Club Australia 